Sponge vs box filters

[Frank Castle]

I am. I just said that I wasn't going to really go into detail about how I personally stock the way I do and why. I already gave my opinion on the OP's question and what I thought they should do.

....and we are probably more like-minded than you might realize when it comes to stocking. We're kind of on the same page, I just already know how much of a PITA tanks w/ heavy bio-load can be to filter so that's typically why I go double or even triple the minimum

 

[Frank Castle]

This actually is perfect - this thread goes hand-in-hand w/ a set-up I recently started and added the fish last night. Again, a sponge filter....technically a box filter w/ carbon, filter wool and polishing pad and that's it. It has a 1.5" Red Oscar and my goal is to see how long it will maintain water quality w/ weekly WCs. I'm betting 4-6 months at 70F

 

[Montelboom]

My apologies then Frank. I've regained my senses after a short nap lol. Wish that we could delete our post sometimes :/

Annyywaayyysss for your tank I bet a bit longer. The thing with sponges is that you most definitely don't want to clean them all at once. Clean one a certain week then another the next week, etc, etc. Same thing with boxes but depending on how much mechanical you have then that can range from 2-3 weeks.

Though I'm not saying to religiously clean one sponge a week. Depending on the microns it filters then you can go longer or have to do more maintenance. Sponge filters are simple yet take the right kind of balance to make it work.

 

[Montelboom]

I'd straight up rather by 4-5 sponge filters and 2 cheap $10 powerheads from Amazon for that sized tank. Maybe a $15 Buck circulation pump too while I'm at it.

Though that's all what I would do for cheapness and a bit of efficiency. I rather spend $60 for nice filtration than $150+. That's why I make my own DIY stuff now honestly. Although $80 can get you a good DIY overhead style sump.

Edit: Scratch that. Less than $80 actually. Just gotta make sure what you're buying to make it is of good quality and fish safe.

 

[Frank Castle]

My apologies then Frank. I've regained my senses after a short nap lol. Wish that we could delete our post sometimes :/

Annyywaayyysss for your tank I bet a bit longer. The thing with sponges is that you most definitely don't want to clean them all at once. Clean one a certain week then another the next week, etc, etc. Same thing with boxes but depending on how much mechanical you have then that can range from 2-3 weeks.

Though I'm not saying to religiously clean one sponge a week. Depending on the microns it filters then you can go longer or have to do more maintenance. Sponge filters are simple yet take the right kind of balance to make it work.

I'd straight up rather by 4-5 sponge filters and 2 cheap $10 powerheads from Amazon for that sized tank. Maybe a $15 Buck circulation pump too while I'm at it.

Though that's all what I would do for cheapness and a bit of efficiency. I rather spend $60 for nice filtration than $150+. That's why I make my own DIY stuff now honestly. Although $80 can get you a good DIY overhead style sump.

Just to be clear, I want to make sure we are talking about the same thing, I should have thought of this earlier, but
SPONGE FILTERS



VS. "BOX" FILTERS


If this isn't what you or the OP is talking about then you'll have to show me a picture. I don't know how a "SPONGE" filter like the one I just posted has any chemical filtration.....I don't see any carbon nor any place FOR carbon on mine

 

[Montelboom]

I think that I wrote the wrong thing at the time.

Keeping it simple Sponge>Box in mechanical and depending on what you put in the box biological

Box>Sponge in chemical and possibly biological. Some people only place mechanical filtration in the boxes. Some only do chemical (idk why but people do) and some do a half/half mix of bio rings and filter floss and/or filter sponge.

 

[Frank Castle]

I think that I wrote the wrong thing at the time.

Keeping it simple Sponge>Box in mechanical and depending on what you put in the box biological

Box>Sponge in chemical and possibly biological. Some people only place mechanical filtration in the boxes. Some only do chemical (idk why but people do) and some do a half/half mix of bio rings and filter floss and/or filter sponge.

My set-up is different than what you mentioned as well lol

I have about 1" of carbon on the bottom, then a big wad of filter wool, then a properly cut piece of filter polishing pad on top before the cap goes on. Everything get discarded except the polishing pad every few weeks, I use the pad for a media

 

[Montelboom]

My set-up is different than what you mentioned as well lol

I have about 1" of carbon on the bottom, then a big wad of filter wool, then a properly cut piece of filter polishing pad on top before the cap goes on. Everything get discarded except the polishing pad every few weeks, I use the pad for a media

You got a great balance going on then there lol. Not too much and not too little.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

The type of filtration means very little. The only two things that matter is how quickly the tank can process an ammonia spike and how much you have need for mechanical (particle) filtration. You could do it with a pair of canisters, a pair of heavy duty HOBs, an assortment of sponge filters, a sump, or any combination of these. You will get recommendations that are all over the board (as you have witnessed) but there is on end all suggestion.

Why not look on Craigslist and make a decision based on the deals available?

 

[Montelboom]

What I got from that is to look around for the best, yet cheapest filtration of the highest yet affordable quality lol.