DIY Sponge Filter

[A jar]

So I have this 10 gal upstairs that I just stopped using. Originally it was uber filtered with a magnum 350... lol. but now i have to use that to supplement another tank.

Question is- how effective are sponge filters?

It's an eyesore in the tank, but i really just want to make use of the extra 10gal. Can one sufficiently filter the tank with water changes every other day?

I made this.. does it look like it's built right? I did not cap the bottom of the plastic tube, it simply is open- about 1/3" of sponge from the bottom. Would capping this end help the design?

The top of the tubing is not fully open- I placed a course sponge material around the tubing to hold it in place- plenty of air is able to get out. I'm not sure why, but should I take this off?

Lastly, I took off the airstone and now- while the bubbles are not as fine, the current seems stronger. Does having an airstone make the design any better?

Sorry for all the qs and the dirty glass, but I've never tried this method before. Anyone with experience- all feedback would be helpful.

Oh last one, What kind of fish(es) can one sustain by itself in the 10 gal. Would it be able to accomodate a small african cichlid/dwarf cichlid?

 

[Pharaoh]

Filter looks good. Should be fine for filtering a 10G.

I would remove the coarse sponge from the top. This is just restricting flow.

Go ahead and cap the bottom of the pipe. That way, the current will draw through the thicker portions of the sponge.

I always like running without the air stone. IMO, its personal preference.

 

[whatsepultra]

i would not put any chiclids in a 10 gallon maybe some cardinal tetra or other small fish remember 1 gallon per inch of fish

 

[A jar]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll be modifying it a lil bit more- probably follow pharoah's advice.

And in terms of cichlids- I was hoping the 10 could house some shellies, but it'll probably be a quarantine until i figure out what to put in it.

 

[Pharaoh]

You could probably get away with a pair or two of shellies.

 

[Tilapia Buttikoferi]

Get some micro cichlids, cool filter design.

 

[ymolina]

i would not put any chiclids in a 10 gallon maybe some cardinal tetra or other small fish remember 1 gallon per inch of fish

so i could put a 55 inch aro in a 55 gallon tank

 

[A jar]

ok, i cannot stress enough how awkward the filter looks in the tank, but wow- i never knew sponge filters themselves could be that effective. I took some water out of the tank to see how much water was actually getting forced up and out of the tube- and it's literally gushing. I have 2 other ten gals that might get the same treatment.

I would suggest this cheap and effective system to anyone who doesnt mind changing the water often.

 

[cassharper]

You could has a nice few pairs of N. Multifasciatus in a 10g, or 2 harems of N. Brevis (both shell-dwelling cichlids from Tanganyika).

Just a tip, since you can't filter through any media to bring up the pH, SeaChem's Tanganyika buffer works wonders. I bred brevis using that for about a year before I got tired of it.

 

[jdbrock]

Some neon tetras are always good addition to a ten gallon.