Hello. First time on this site. So I'm looking for a new sponge filter. I have a 100 gal aquarium with a 12in Oscar, it's my first fish and I got him about 2 years ago. He is very messy and destructive as most Oscars are. Anyways I got a canister filter on his tank and I like to also throw a sponge filter in his tank since he is a pig and helps with no film devolping at the surface of water. So the problem I'm having is he destroys every sponge filter I put in there. Rips it to shreds within 2 weeks and I'm constantly having to replace it. I really like having an extra filter in his tank because I do notice a big difference with water quality. I'm wondering if anyone has had this issue and/or knows a tough sponge filter that will last or at least last longer. I just hate having to throw out these filters with so much beneficial bacteria, and I hate coming home from work with pieces of sponge floating around his tank.
I need a new sponge filter
- Thread starter Golden901
- Start date
What about getting a hang on filter like an aqua clear, and fill it up with mechanical filtration like sponges.
Welcome to MFK.
I don’t know of any type sponge filter that an Oscar can’t destroy if he can get to it.
What type canister filter are you running?
My advice would be to add to the filtration.
Either a hang on or another canister.
My guess is if you are seeing a film form you may need to increase your water changes.
What is your normal water change schedule? And Amount of water changed each time?
I don’t know of any type sponge filter that an Oscar can’t destroy if he can get to it.
What type canister filter are you running?
My advice would be to add to the filtration.
Either a hang on or another canister.
My guess is if you are seeing a film form you may need to increase your water changes.
What is your normal water change schedule? And Amount of water changed each time?
I have a Penn Plax Cascade 1000 Canister. Ive thought about another canister or just upgrading the one I have. I try to do a 25-30% every weekend but if I'm busy I end up doing 50-60% every 2 weeks. The main reason for the sponge filter was for that film. But I didn't know the film could be a water quality problem. I always thought it was lack of surface tension on one side of tank. I'm probably just going to upgrade my filter.
The film is proteins and organics from waste building up.
Do you notice the film going away after a water change?
Do you test for nitrates?
The two are probably related (the film and nitrates)
Another idea would be to arrange the canister return to create the surface agitation.
If it’s only the surface action you need could just add areation without the sponge is another idea.
You may try the matten filter as suggested but if the Oscar likes to shred foam he may still do it.
Old school box filter. That would stop it from tearing up the foam.
Haven’t seen one in a while.
I still believe the OP should address the core issue and determine why there’s a film build up.
I suspect the filtration isn’t quite enough for the bio load of the tank.
Haven’t seen one in a while.
I still believe the OP should address the core issue and determine why there’s a film build up.
I suspect the filtration isn’t quite enough for the bio load of the tank.
I agree with Big-G. I would suspect a water quality issue. Besides scheduled water changes you also need to do regularly scheduled canister filter maintenance. It is pretty easy to forget about cleaning out a canister filter which causes all the debris to collect in the canister filter and then break down causing unhealthy water conditions. Then you add another canister filter because the first doesn't seem up to the task and every thing is great for a few months until the second canister filter starts filling with debris and the problem gets even worse.
I.e. Make sure you are doing regularly scheduled clean-outs of the mechanical media of the canister filter as well as the regular water changes. The addition of a sponge filter or box filter will greatly aid in the replenishment of beneficial bacteria after the mechanical filter media has been cleaned. Or with two canister filters, clean out one of the filters on each alternating water change.
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