For Those Running In-Tank Sponge Filters: Do You Use Diffusers & How to Clean?

[Jer]

I have two in-tank sponge filters and starting a while back my air pump started getting louder. I thought maybe my air pump was just 'settling in' or something but it was quite frustrating since I bought a slightly more expensive battery backup air pump and it wasn't just some corded cheapy. I noticed that one of my riser tubes didn't have hardly any bubbles all of a sudden so I started taking things apart to diagnose the issue. Upon taking that tube off of my point (I have dual outlets with one running each filter) my pump instantly got silent again. I was unable to blow down the tube so I knew I had an obstruction. I'll bore you with the rest of the details but the end result was that my diffuser that I ordered when I bought all my sponge filter parts made specifically for this use was clogged. I went ahead and took the other one off the other filter too because I didn't want it getting clogged up and causing the same issue. They were white when I bought them and the weird part is that the one that still worked is more brown than the one that is problematic. But both have plenty of (larger) bubbles and the air pump is quiet once again.

So, do you guys run them? It's supposed to introduce air further down the sponge to draw water in more uniformly across the face of the sponge and the bubbles rising up just look a little better aesthetically too. Would it be worth me cleaning them up and putting them back in only to address again every few months or am I better off just canning them? If you clean them do you just boil them in water and then maybe a vinegar soak or ??

I know this isn't a mission critical type question either way but figured I would ask to get some more opinions. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dan F]

I don't use air stones on my Hydro-V sponge filters, I just attach the airline to the "bullseye" piece and call it good.

 

[Jer]

I don't use air stones on my Hydro-V sponge filters, I just attach the airline to the "bullseye" piece and call it good.

Yeah, that's the way mine are now that I've removed the stones and I'm leaning towards just running mine like this unless someone can cite a pressing reason why the added money and effort would be worth it.

 

[1974Pantera]

I use one for fry only once I strip the females in a 15g. I don't use any substrate.

To clean the sponge, just drain water from the tank and rinse the sponge with the tank water and connect your airline and away you go.

I would never use this type filter for a regular tank.

 

[Jer]

I use one for fry only once I strip the females in a 15g. I don't use any substrate.

To clean the sponge, just drain water from the tank and rinse the sponge with the tank water and connect your airline and away you go.

I would never use this type filter for a regular tank.

I think you misunderstood what I was asking as I already understand how to clean the sponges themselves.

Out of curiosity, why would you never use one of these in a regular tank? That statement confuses me.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Guess I should chime in since I wrote the sticky thread on sponge filters. I also run them like Dan without any sort of diffusor.

 

[lipadj46]

I like using diffusers on my sponge filters but its more of an aesthetics thing but also it freaks out my discus less than the big bubbles. If you want to clean out a diffuser use a bleach solution (start with 10:1 and increase if needed) soak overnight. Soak in a prime/safe solution to dechlor. But with that being said I just toss mine and replace them. 4 packs are a buck so its not worth the time for me.

edit: I'll also add if you do forgoe the stone make sure you still have a bit of air line that goes to the bottom of the filter inside. You will get a better flow if the bubbles start from the bottom of the filter as opposed to if you just stuck the hose in the top of the filter.

 

[Jer]

I like using diffusers on my sponge filters but its more of an aesthetics thing but also it freaks out my discus less than the big bubbles. If you want to clean out a diffuser use a bleach solution (start with 10:1 and increase if needed) soak overnight. Soak in a prime/safe solution to dechlor. But with that being said I just toss mine and replace them. 4 packs are a buck so its not worth the time for me.

The problem isn't the buck for four of them it's the shipping that's seven bucks or more to ship a one dollar item. We don't have too much in the way of LFS and they generally don't care a wide array of parts such as this so I'm left ordering online. If I end up needing to order something else I may throw a pack of them in with the order but to pay shipping for four diffusers doesn't make much sense. I'll see if I can find a deal on a couple dozen or so as that would last me quite a while. If I do decide to run them again I will replace them more often because the added back pressure will cause premature failure of the air pump too. Seems that having a straight line w/o any obstruction would ensure maximum life out of the pump itself. So far the fish don't seem phased at all so I will keep an eye on stress levels though.

edit: I'll also add if you do forgoe the stone make sure you still have a bit of air line that goes to the bottom of the filter inside. You will get a better flow if the bubbles start from the bottom of the filter as opposed to if you just stuck the hose in the top of the filter.

Ah, good advice. I didn't even think to do this but I will dig them both out and add a few inches of line inside the 'bullseye' to start the bubbles from the bottom instead of at the top.

 

[lipadj46]

yeah I always add a pack or 2 with any online order I do. but yes they are not needed