Sponge vs box filters

[Southjerseycichlidz]

I have a 180 gallon I am getting ready to set up and want to know if I should use boxes or sponge filters it's going to house a pair of Midas let me know what you guys think and how often water changes should be done
Thanks in advance

 

[that_fish_Guy]

Personally would use sponges...before I would use boxes.

 

[Frank Castle]

I would use one in each corner and a HOB or canister for main filtration. Sponges and boxes don't have a lot of "UMPPHHHH", ya follow?

 

[Fat Homer]

For such a big (im guessing display) tank seems quite old school to be considering running a box or sponge filter???

Why not canister or even 2 larger HOBS?

 

[Hendre]

Cichlids need good filters. Especially brutes like midas i woulx recommend canisters

 

[predatorkeeper87]

neither. if a sump is out of the question then HOBs, like two AC 110's would be good. if not that then 2 canisters, dealers choice on those really, as long as they are bigger canisters.

 

[Southjerseycichlidz]

For such a big (im guessing display) tank seems quite old school to be considering running a box or sponge filter???

Why not canister or even 2 larger HOBS?

Naa it's just another tank in the fish room. Have a 125 african display in the wall that's it

 

[Fat Homer]

I guess with the stock maybe the sponges would work??? But i dont know, personally still feel at min. hobs still better option...

 

[Montelboom]

Either could work. Some people run tanks with large fish like that with JUST sponge filters and nothing else. It's all up to what you think looks best really.

They're both really cheap to buy. Box filters can look a bit ugly, and have more customization options than a sponge. Sponges look a bit less ugly especially against a black background. Of course they can't really be customized, but they do provide a higher mechanical filtration than the boxes. Although some people say their larger cichlids tend to tear them up a bit with biting.

I'd run a combo of both honestly. 3-4 medium/large sponges and 2 nicely sized boxes. All should cost a lot less than a HOB.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Either could work. Some people run tanks with large fish like that with JUST sponge filters and nothing else. It's all up to what you think looks best really.

They're both really cheap to buy. Box filters can look a bit ugly, and have more customization options than a sponge. Sponges look a bit less ugly especially against a black background. Of course they can't really be customized, but they do provide a higher mechanical filtration than the boxes. Although some people say their larger cichlids tend to tear them up a bit with biting.

I'd run a combo of both honestly. 3-4 medium/large sponges and 2 nicely sized boxes. All should cost a lot less than a HOB.

i feel like you'd be doing water changes 2x a week at minimum with only sponges...HOBs may cost a little more but ultimately are a far more effective filtration.