Small tank

[spitz006]

I want to set up a smaller sized aquarium probably a 10 or 15 gallon, and I was wondering if using a sponger filter alone would be enough for airation and filtration. That way it's only one thing I have to plug in as opposed to two, and also I want to keep the current in the tank low. The only animals I want to put in there are a breeding pair of peacock gudgeons, a dwarf frog, and an apple snail.

 

[CLDarnell]

A sponge filter would work nicely in your tank Be sure to read clockwork's stickied post in the filtration section.

 

[Lupin]

I'd add the HOB. The apple snail poops a lot like goldfish.

 

[spitz006]

I have read through that sticky, because I didn't know how sponge filters worked! I guess maybe I'll skip the apple snail and go with a few shrimp instead and just shoot for gravel vacuuming every 10 days or so. If I decide I need a 20-gallon maybe I'll add a hob. They're just annoying and I want to keep cost, the water current, and the amount of things plugged in, to a minimum.

 

[SCGeordie]

I have read through that sticky, because I didn't know how sponge filters worked! I guess maybe I'll skip the apple snail and go with a few shrimp instead and just shoot for gravel vacuuming every 10 days or so. If I decide I need a 20-gallon maybe I'll add a hob. They're just annoying and I want to keep cost, the water current, and the amount of things plugged in, to a minimum.

You could always add one of the Whisper series filters, not much current and with them like the sponge filter, you are combining airation and filtration (you could use the same air pump for both) and they are easy to hide with plants.
If you go with a Whisper forget about changing out filter pads every month like they suggest, I've got 2 Whisper 3i's in a 6g and have had the same pads for 4 months now, just rinse them in tank water once a week and they're fine, and are actually pretty good for bio filtration once they get established. I never do WC's or vacuum - top up for evaporation a quart or so every couple of days and the RCS and snails take care of cleaning.

 

[SCGeordie]

Oooops, after saying all I did about not having to clean the tank I just looked at the pic and realised there's some brown algae on the front glass. I didn't put the main light on for a few days as I've been working late (should be on a timer) and the brown stuff turned up! No worries though, the snails and shrimp will take care of it soon enough and now that the light is on a timer the green plants will outcompete the brown for nutrients again.

 

[smitty03281964]

I agree with Lupin I would add a HOB filter.

 

[PhantomHawk700]

You could always add one of the Whisper series filters, not much current and with them like the sponge filter, you are combining airation and filtration (you could use the same air pump for both) and they are easy to hide with plants.
If you go with a Whisper forget about changing out filter pads every month like they suggest, I've got 2 Whisper 3i's in a 6g and have had the same pads for 4 months now, just rinse them in tank water once a week and they're fine, and are actually pretty good for bio filtration once they get established. I never do WC's or vacuum - top up for evaporation a quart or so every couple of days and the RCS and snails take care of cleaning.

I have a whisper as well, it is very nice if you're going for no/little current!