sponge filter question?

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kroxabp

kroxabp

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 27, 2011
249
2
33
Aquarium Desert
this question is probably common and obvious but i want to try a different filtration instead of they HOB i only use im trying to cut down the outlet space.. but my question is if i use the two biggest sponge filter sizes in each corner of a 90 gal tank (48x18x24) with two weekly water changes weekly or 1 big 1 some weeks will this be ok in a tank of med.size south american cichlids>> any other ideas or info regaurding sponge filtration will be greatly appreciated
 
Should be fine, just dont overfeed...and "common sense", if you see the water getting nasty then its not working
 
Sponge filters are great, but just like any other media, they get plugged and flow slows, so regular cleaning is needed. I find if I take them off for cleaning with a plastic bag, less debris is released back into the tank. I have them on powerheads, and as soon as they are pulled off the suction, dirt is released into the water, by using the bag as a sort of glove, dirt stays in the bag, not in the tank.
 
duanes said:
Sponge filters are great, but just like any other media, they get plugged and flow slows, so regular cleaning is needed. I find if I take them off for cleaning with a plastic bag, less debris is released back into the tank. I have them on powerheads, and as soon as they are pulled off the suction, dirt is released into the water, by using the bag as a sort of glove, dirt stays in the bag, not in the tank.
Click to expand...

Hello; I like and will try to remember to use this idea.
 
I'd recommend putting something else in there for more mechanical filtration. Water flow in sponge filters isn't usually great IMO.

In fact I can't really see using ONLY sponges on a 90g. If you don't want a HOB sticking off the side, get a canister.
 
I have a sponge coupled with a box filter (both air-driven) in most of my tanks. I have the boxes running with a lot of air (primarily to work as mechanical filtration) and the sponges with less air to work as biological. I've found that tanks stay much cleaner by coupling them.

I change the fluff on the boxes regularly (which just takes a second)...and seldon need to clean the sponges (which is a PITA).

If your tank is heavily stocked, you'll need more boxes and sponges.

I don't run any HOBs in my fishroom.

Matt
 
thanx for the info peps.. i think ill try just the sponges for a month or two then if they dont do what i want i can always add
 
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