Sponges

[TaratronVaeVictus]

How exactly do sponge filters work?

I have several in my tanks at home, and in some at work as well, and some sponges, no matter how strong the air flow or large the air stone, seem to produce the same amount of bubbles, and others increase to the point of the filter moving in the tank!

 

[bluedempsey]

How exactly do sponge filters work?

I have several in my tanks at home, and in some at work as well, and some sponges, no matter how strong the air flow or large the air stone, seem to produce the same amount of bubbles, and others increase to the point of the filter moving in the tank!

they work like a vacuum
bubbles rising up case a vucuum drawing floating particles
to the sponge

 

[FlammingWoodChuck]

Just like a Under Gravel Filter. I think it is cool how it creates a vacume

 

[TaratronVaeVictus]

So the more bubbles, the more "filtration?"

 

[guppy]

Not really, the more smaller bubbles, the more filtration. Many tiny bubbles create more "lift" in the tube than the same air volume of large bubbles. to much air flow traps bubbles inside the sponge and it starts to "walk" around. Just silicone a piece of tile or ceramic to the bottom of the sponge to stop that.