How would you sponge filter an oscar tank?

[Racersk]

In an effort to reduce wattage per tank, I want to explore the use of sponge filtering a 90G oscar tank. I currently have:

x2 (9-10") Oscars
x7 (2" - 4") silver dollars
x1 sydontis cat(3")
P Afer knife. (5")

So the main bioload is the Oscars @ ~9-10"(pigs!)

I just had their original 90G tank break and I have set up a bare bottom 90euro braced tank with:

cascade 1200 (286gph) -w/fully cycled media

What I can not use on this tank is x2 AC100's - this is due to the euro bracing-I can't realistically fit the AC110's intake on this.

I do have an air bar and just installed a sponge intaked power head (160gph) aimed at the Cascade's intake. With reusing the driftwood etc from the earlier tank to help avoid a mini cycle...


Enough with the background...


Now, if you have the above bioload and were forced into using just sponge filtration and air power what would you go with? (bear in mind that the Cascade will still be used for mechanical filtration mostly)

Hydor IV's - one in each corner?

Hamburg Mattenfilter against one side (20x 18 x 3) with air uplifter's?

Or?

I eventually want to run all my tanks off of a luft pump only. Maybe canisters on just my big tanks with big fish. Thoughts?

 

[aclockworkorange]

If you're not bothered by the looks, mattenfilter is going to be the best.

 

[Racersk]

Is it better to increase flow on a Mattenfilter, ie multiple uplifters? or is too much flow going to clog the sponge faster?

I have one set up currently on an understocked 45g 'show' at the moment and it is a 2" thick model with a 150gph powerhead behind it. I am moving this to a 29 for a hospital/clean planted tank.

I am actually thinking about setting up an AC110 with the intake open behind the mattenfilter on these other 2 45g tanks. I have an extra now, and they are only 14W a piece (Will be using 2 on 2 tanks)...


AC110 with a 1" flex tube plumbed to the bottom of a mattenfilter - these are tanks that are in the garage, external plumbing fits in. The area behind the sponge has to be thick enough to house a heater...I can place the AC110 opposite the sponge side, strong reliable overkill!

 

[aclockworkorange]

Sounds good. The main thing is more flow means more pull, and thus more mechanical filtration. So, it will keep your water looking more clear, but will clog faster. Up to you, it's not like they are hard to clean. AC110 idea is great too.