Sponge Filter Misunderstanding

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richardhmc

richardhmc

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 25, 2006
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nyc
Hi all! I just got my order for a AZOO Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter and its been running in my tank for a few hours. I bought the biggest one ( #10 - which can filter up to 130 gallons) which i put into my 55 in case the dempsesy have babies or whatnot. However, I never really understood the concept of how they filtered...
I have sort of an Idea that the air bubbles cause suction and the particles get stuck onto the sponge because of the airbubbles... but i see things floating around... poop, small things, and other stuff that just float right by it. Also, I ordered a silica airstone that causes a huge amount of water flow around the tank. Why arent the things sticking to the filter?
 
Air bubbles never really do that much, hook a powerhead up to it and you'll get much better results. :)
 
mine seems to work quite good. i noticed some big results of clearer cleaner looking water and i only have a 25 gallon rated sponge filter for my 55 (plus HOB's)
 
Are you supposed to see particles being sucked into the sponge filter? right now.. I see a piece of poop and air trapped in the sponge.
 
Air is a LOT more effective if you use an air stone. The bubbles moving up the lift tube cause water movement. More bubbles...more movement. Atmospheric pressure then causes the tank water to move in and take it's place. This moves the water through the sponges.

A sponge filter is VERY effective but it's intended as predominatly a bio-filter and operates through a large volume...low turn over rate. In other words you wont see the sort of suction and water flow you would from a cannister filter. This dosn't mean the filters not working...just that it works differantly. Rince the sponge(s) out after a week or so in the tank and see how much garbage they collect.

You can use a powerhead on it if you like but IMO it's not necessary.
 
If you want baby Jack Dempseys, do not use a powerhead. They'll get knocked out cold.

You won't "SEE" it working, but they do their job very well. It's an old school, tried and true method. I love them because you KNOW you are not going to lose any fish to it. (Suck suck)
 
You just mentioned that there is still trapped air on the serface of the sponges?...if so it won't really start working properly until that's all gone. I always soak the new sponges over night in a bucket under a piece of tile before putting it in a tank.
 
yeh... when i put it in and just now also.. i tried to squeeze out all the air bubbles but somehow, some still got in so now i see sort of a layer of bubles on the top. This silica airstone works great.. so how long before the bubles in the sponge filter leave?
 
Just squeeze the sponge underwater (After washing it) and that'll get the bubbles out.
 
I said I tried that already but the bubles came back somehow lol

The bubbles shud come out by themselves though... right?
 
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