Sponge Filters are The Worst Aquarium Filter
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Hello Fellow Fish Keepers!
In this video we share why sponge filters might not be the best choice for your aquarium.
Want to learn more about sponge filters? Check out these videos!
Beginners Guide to Sponge Filters: • Fish Tank Sponge Filte...
The Science Behind Why Cleaning Sponge Filters in Tap Water is OK: • Aquarium Science Serie...
Sponge Filter vs HOB Filter: • Fish Tank Filter Showd...
Sponge FIlter vs Matten Filter: • Aquarium Science Serie...
Should You Use a Powerhead on Your Sponge Filter: • Should You Add a Power...
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Want to learn more about sponge filters? Check out these videos!
Beginners Guide to Sponge Filters: th-cam.com/video/yQSI-3rUsIs/w-d-xo.html
The Science Behind Why Cleaning Sponge Filters in Tap Water is OK: th-cam.com/video/kN5F8q7aFGg/w-d-xo.html
Sponge Filter vs HOB Filter: th-cam.com/video/TN_eagzIEyY/w-d-xo.html
Sponge FIlter vs Matten Filter: th-cam.com/video/kN5F8q7aFGg/w-d-xo.html
Should You Use a Powerhead on Your Sponge Filter: th-cam.com/video/1H1PDbCVaR4/w-d-xo.html
Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member!
th-cam.com/channels/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTA.htmljoin
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
th-cam.com/channels/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg.html
I hate them so much I have dozens to sneer.
i have 6 Aqua-top 250's in my 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank, each one is rated for a 250 gallon tank, they're ran by a Vivosun air pump that's good for 1250 gallons an hour, i clean my sponge filters once every 3 months, i have never had any issues with reduced performance of my sponge filters over time, my water stays crystal clear all the time, I think the key factor with BIG sponge filters is having a powerful air pump
Nobody ever mentions how much water is wasted cleaning them compared to other type filters.
Watching this as I stare at my aquariums with sponge filters
Lol same scenarios
Same 2
Lmao,
Watching this before I proceed with order
Just an opinion. Try everything.
Um, yeah me too!
All my sumps and HOBs have been converted to sponges with some pot scrubbies. I have been in the hobby 60 years and my tanks range from 45 - 500 gallons. Now that I use essentially only sponges, my tanks have never been healthier and easier to maintain. Moral of the story? Let's think about sponge filters more broadly than just the bubbling corner filter.
Man I'm confused i have a 200 gallon tank , should i buy an air pump and few sponge filters or a build myself a diy filter using water pump ,
What kind of sponges do you use can you post a link
@@samanthamorris2207 do a Google search for Swiss tropicals in the US. THE FOAM IS CALLED poret
All up to you.
Personally I want to use a matten filter (Hamburg matten filter) in my first aquarium. Idk if I will. Depends what I can find out there for used aquariums that may come with a hob.
The hob I would plan to "hot rod" it.
@@ryuu6958one undergravel instead of few sponges
One great advantage of the sponge filter, for the fishkeeper with multiple tanks, is that you can keep spare sponges going in other mature tanks so you always have cycled filters ready to go when you (inevitably) add another tank or ten. I also like how I can run multiple filters from one pump. This means I'm only using one power outlet and I'm always struggling for outlets anyway. Another advantage of this is that keeping one spare air pump is the same as keeping many spare filters, in terms of the moving, breakable parts.
Well, there you go planning ahead, and thinking of efficient redundancies.
Yes, great for impulse fish purchases.
That’s why I have one. I can just pull it out and have a quarantine tank setup in about 5 minutes
This is what we do. I alwayw have bioballs behind my HOB cartridges and always have extra sponges. I'm never waiting 6 weeks to cycle a tank again.
I have several extra sponge filters resting in other tanks. Instant cycle
Ive been doing this professionally for abour 12 years now, i would VERY MUCH prefer maintaining sponges vs sumps and HOBs.
Why is it better (or easier) to maintain a sponge filter over a HOB?
@@mayerkatz2836 cost. U pay every time u replace filters
@@unnie7834 I don't replace them, I modified them with sponges and bio media, so I basically have the same as a Sponge Filter (and even more) just outside the tank
Not if you use the tidal HOB.
What about if you lose power? Some hob filters have been known to leak or burn out once power comes back on because they didn’t get primed….. that alone could be a sponge filter
I use sponge filters in all my tanks, breeding tanks especially. I find that if you clean them regularly they are a great choice and I would not use HOBs. They are also amazing for smaller tanks in which many other types of filtration take up too much space or just wouldn’t work. I think they are great for low maintenance aquariums because of their small size and how inexpensive they are compared to HOBs. Great video though, the multifasciatus tank is looking amazing!
Great point made, wholeheartedly agree
Thank you!! I also think a better pump would be a good idea to get better suction.
Definitely 👍
⬅️⬅️⬅️ nervously clicks as I just got a sponge filter in the mail yesterday.
It will work just ifne :-)
You’ll like it! I use a HOB and Sponge on all my tanks. I like them both.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I have a hob, and a sponge filter with 2 sponges. This one suctions to the glass and I really like it so far
Me too
I just got 2 sponge filters today. Ugggg.
just to be cantankerous I published a vid after yours praising sponge filters. Keeping it lively.
Awesome! :-)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Mind if I link?
Will return the favor.
If they are bad I don’t want to be good.
I respect your knowledgeable opinion, but I must say. After I modified mine with a Air stone, and using it in a much smaller tank.. The thing is absolutely godsent. But I don’t think I’d use one in a larger tank.
I think these sponge filters have a special place in our realm, for sure.
I used two on opposite ends in a 75 with two large tiger oscars and an even larger pleco. Bare tank with a middle piece of drift. All sides panted black expect the front. They didnt stand out as bad in a dark tank designed to look like it was in deep water. I also did the air stone trick with mine. Those Oscars can be monster sized and intelligent for a fish.
I use the relatively clear old water at water changes to rinse my sponge in the bucket. A few minutes of squeezes and most debris is out. Of course with 80 tanks you probably aren't using buckets for water changes. I drill out the center so I can pass the air hose into the tube and place an air stone at the bottom to make it quieter. I hide mine behind a planting and learn to ignore it. Good video again.
Them's fightin words! I love sponge filters and run them in all my tanks in addition to HOBs in the larger ones. I don't count on them for filtration as much as for aeration. I think every tank needs air, and running that air through a sponge filter gives me bonus bio filtration. They're also great to have around for quarantine, hospital, or new tanks to jump start the cycle.
I have the same setup in my 40 breeder. Aquaclear 50 and a medium sponge for extra filtration, movement, and my only source of air.
I'm sure your setups are great :-)
I don't run air on any of my tanks, the 90, the 125 or the 300 gallon. The plants and running the water through the sump system more than provides enough air in the tanks. It's just a matter of different strokes for different folks. I would agree though that they are great for quarantine and hospital tanks.
Same here. I run sponge filters as an addition to my HOB filters on all my tanks for air. Then when I need to set up a hospital or quarantine tank, I can pull one out and I’m off and running.
@@brendalemay8384 same
I keep sponges in my tanks even the one that has a canister because if something happens with that canister I always want there to be a backup on the ready
Also, good if you need to move the sponge to a quarentine tank to cycle it quickly.
Exactly
I use double, super fine sponge filters in my breeding tanks and i can go for a couple of months between cleans which isn't bad. They start spluttering when clogged and I squeeze them out during the next water change. The super fine ones keep the water really polished and crystal clear. All are powered by a single blower type pump. This set up is super quiet and economical. I've tried a few different hang on backs and just never really liked them tbh. Whatever works for you I suppose : )
I still prefer them to HOB filters, especially in tanks with fry/shrimp.
They're also really not that hard to maintain, just pull them up by the air hose, disconnect hose, rinse in sink, reattach hose and drop back down (2 minute job)
I agree! I have shrimp and don’t like the HOB filters. Saying they’re the worst filters to use is a bit dramatic 🤣 I have no issues with mine and you can hide it well with your plants and wood!
won't rinsing in sink kill off the bacteria??
@@craftwanderer8802we swish/squish ours in water change water.
Very well said: they're the worst and the best.....lol. IMO, they only belong in fish rooms and quarantine tanks. Always love the content!
I feel like the negatives you brought up are pretty subjective, I noticed most of the points are regarding the higher degree maintenance than other filters, but many people including myself really don’t mind having to do all that. I have carpet in my room and can’t necessarily just pull filter floss out of my HOBs without getting fish doodies all over the place, I usually have to rip the entire filter off the back and take that into the bathroom. I feel like a good point to have made at the end along with having a proper set up would be theres a smaller margin for error when you start to get lazy lol (which happens to the best of us)
For me, my absolute biggest plus with sponge filters is that they can’t possibly cause a leak. Ive had leaks from an Aquaclear and a Fluval 207. Stinky bedroom for quite some time.
and made the title like click bait...really disappointed in this video
Jason Lin Thats just how the algorithm works and the way the game is played when you’re a youtuber. Honestly no big deal.
@@linjasonlin Don't really see how it's clickbait. He brought up a lot of positives and negatives and made the conclusion they are technically the worst kind of filter but there are still reasons to use them. What do you expect?
@@bullythebooks It's clickbait because he knows it's not true. Anyone with any real experience knows its not true. It's a manipulative, intentionally inflamatory statement. He even admits that he couldn't have his fishroom or youtube channel without them. He made this video because he KNEW that people would disagree with what was so very clearly not true, and that would provoke people to click on the video. He didn't make this video because he actually believes what he is saying. In this instance, he is not trying to convey truthful information. He is trying to get clicks, and hey, it worked on me, but at the cost of his credibility, to anyone paying attention anyway.
I have come to enjoy your sense of humor more and more over time. I use sponge filters, HOB sometimes, and cannister filters. The fact I can easily run three small tanks on one air pump (Eheim is pretty quiet btw) is important when you consider energy costs. The cost of a sponge filter is lower than other filters so they lose on that front as well :).
Appreciate you being here!
Nope. Sponge filters ruined my first ever experience with keeping tropical fish.
Do I detect a little sarcasm? Lol.The hardest thing for me is is to take all the info that is out there and decide what is best. I think I finally have my tank set up and established to the point that it I requires very little maintenance. I narrowed it down to only watching a few fish keepers. You and Joanne are my top. Appreciate all the info you share. Im in for the relaxation and enjoyment. Thank you.
I have a HOB and Sponge in every tank. This way if one fails, or needs replaced, I'm not losing my cycle.
I like how Jason looks so proud in the thumbnail saying sponge filters are the worst type of Filtration 😂
For commercial guys, I see the application being used, but for my house it's cannister filters!! Cleaner, clear water! Also first video I've seen with a both sides review. I appreciate the honesty.
Quite the love-hate relationship you have going with sponge filters, LOL! I agree, they are an eyesore, and if you hide them too well they can't do their job. But when you're running a zillion tanks, it's the only way to go (and you can always run an HOB or a can on your 2 or 3 show tanks). BTW, those albino heckelii are NUTS! Thanks Jason.
Thank you! :-)
Am I crazy?! This was a satirical review right? Hence the flashbacks at the end where jason points out that they’re literally the best. Idk. I have course sponges in most of my tanks and seriously considering changing over to finer sponges because like Jason said, they don’t hold the funk in when you try to take them out and clean them.
They represent the duality of man. Haha - sometimes good and sometimes bad!
I use both a hob and a sponge filter. The hob does a great job of cleaning the water and the sponge helps me know the bacteria population will be maintained. The sponge doesn't need to be very big this way, and I have an immediate filter for a good quarantine tank when needed. This is an idea I got from Irene at Girl Talks Fish.
@@High_Octane I just changed out the hob on my 20 gal. from a cartridge filter to an Aquaclear. I'm impressed at how quiet it is, and I like the flow adjustment. I am a little intimidated on how to maintain it though. I put in very coarse filter material first, then less coarse, then a thin sheet of fine, and a small pack of bio-rings. What do you think? How often do you clean and/or replace the materials?
@@High_Octane Thanks so much for the information. I have an aquaclear for my 55 gal. I'll get set up today. Following your advice I made a coarse filter for the intake on my small aquarium . I have some tiny rasboras in there, having that intake filter will also help keep them safe.
Finally! Someone that is not pro sponge filters! I HATE sponge filters for all the reasons you listed!
A couple of decades ago, I got some sick fish from a breeder/importer friend of mine. These fish brought in some very virulent new diseases, mostly from Africa. There was literally no way to save the fish, most went fast, but they left behind aquariums that remained deadly to anything I put into them, plus the risk of spreading the diseases around my fish room were simply too high to play with these infected aquariums.
Chemically steralizing the tanks and gravel was pretty easy, but my sponge filters tended to dissolve in harsh disinfectant chamicals. At the time most of my sponge filters were new or almost new... What a waste!
I had some old box filters laying around from back when I was a kid in the 1960's, I upgraded the charcoal to lava rock, for their anerobic benefits breaking down nitrates and substituted polyfill for the glass wool... and they worked a treat! Lava rock was dirt cheap at the garden center and polyfill is also dirt cheap and is as easy to replace as a cartridge in a hang on back filter. Moar of the most advanced hobbiests also use box filters with gravel in them. For special circumstances I can add charcoal or any other special media to a box/corner filter as needed... and box filters are easy to steralize in bleach. peroxide or alcohol. Box filters also don't eat fry.
Box/corner filters are cheap, easier to clean, don't eat fry, easy to steralize, also run on air and are light years more flexible than sponge filters. And best of all, you can see exactly when they need to be cleaned by just looking into your tank.
As a seriious 50+ year hobbiest, breeder and published fish author, I intend no disrespect to folks that use sponge filters, (they do work) but if you are serious about keeping and breeding tropical fish and you are dealing with nitrates by changing water anyway... ditch the sponges and upgrade to box filters when you replace your sponge filters. You will never go back.
Yes idk why box filters r less popular.
@@qalpitor3458 Mostly because all of the "influencers" are sponsored or have their own gigs selling something new and improved to hobbyists that don't know better. "If you want to keep fish all you need to do is buy something expensive from me or my sponsor."
Box filters are very versatile, I'm hlad someone mentioned them.
I can't find box filters for love nor money.
Jason you are right. I am big believer of canister filter and using one for more than 10 years. But recently I start buying a sponge filters as back up and main filter for smaller Betta tank. They are so versatile that no body beat it.
Maybe I'm just different but I've never had an issue with seeing a filter in the Aquarium. I made my own filters from pvc that work ok and I'm currently working on another filter that will hopefully work better
OMG. Title made scared coz I use these. You and your channel are the reason I bought sponge filter 😅
I love the concept of this video 😁
Nicely played Sir 😉 I love sponge filters. I would need a little more for an Oscar but for general fish and especially breeding and nano fish they really are the best
My rule for sponge filters is hook them up to a 60 or a 100 gallon air pump min and you’ll be fine
New to hobby, but I recently got a sponge filter ... it's got 2 smaller sponges and you can pull them right off the top, so easier to clean than the type you show in the video. I have a HOB as well, leaving it on until the sponge has had time to get up and going. Pretty full tank (fish and snails) and debating if I should keep both now ...
great vid. they are a must for me, i go away for 3 weeks at a time, i clean them before leaving etc. they are good for several months before getting clogged, so that covers me when i am away. HOB may or may not clog up, and if they do, they may leak if not properly set on an angle. thanks.
sponge filters .... i use them in my 10 gallon and my 29 long. I love em 😊 👍👍
I really loved the presentation of this one, your videos keep improving in overall quality and always provide me new info and ideas. Thank you guys for all your efforts.
Thank you!
lol I actually use panty hose instead of a plastic bag to keep the gunk from dumping back into the tank. Works awesome! I use knee highs for my HOB pre filters, just pull the knee high over it while it’s still in place on the filter intake tube ❤️❤️
Have a sponge filter in every tank even though they all have hang on back or canister filters. Great to have a back up filter running incase one breaks which happened once when on holiday ofcourse!
I have a very expensive sump system for my 150 gallon tank. In operation mode it runs 55 gallons and holds 75 gallons total. I still run 2 large sponge filters in the tank. These are there for if/when the power goes out and I need to keep filtration going with the small battery operated (USB) air pumps. They will have the beneficial bacteria already built up and should help keep the tank going. Do I need them during normal operation, nope. But they are back up plus they provide the surface breaking needed to help the air circulate into the water allowing gas exchanges.
I agree with you. I have a regular filter but I use it when I’m changing my water to keep some oxygen in the plastic container. Also this guy talks about pet who don’t clean the sponge for a long time.
25 tanks from 5 to 175, every one uses sponge filters.
Most experienced aquarists I know, don't just pull floss out of their hob, they also rinse and return it to the filter after rinsing, which also gets yiur hands wet and waste time.
If you can't hide a sponge with aquascaping, you're doing it wrong.
👎
I think I might remove a HOB filter from the back of a tank once every couple years? :-)
I and my houseplants don't mind the cleaning aspect of the sponge filter. All of the "gunk" makes my plants happy and grow nicely ❤️
Another great video. This one in particular had great editing that really helped tell the story. Thanks!!
Sponge filters are amazing but don't expect them to do it all. A HOB and a sponge is an amazing combo
Great video 😆 for me, sponge filters (that you got me into) are the best, I have lots of inverts that love hanging out on them eating all the little bits, and they're completely internal with air stones so they're quiet in the house, I use the coarse ones from Aquarium Co-op and they are great, they are weighted so they don't float and they haven't clogged yet, I used to use internal submerged filters and I had a filter failure one day that we think had happened days earlier, thankfully all of my fishies and inverts were ok but now I really like being able to look across the room and see that my filters are running. I'm about to set up more tanks and I'm definitely sold on sponge filters 🙂
The walking monolog! Taking this 90s boy back!
Love the video! Very well done!
Too funny !
Love the spin at the end!
Pros of Sponge filter:
-Sponge filters are a great place to house air stones, and equip in a pinch.
-They inherently have less flow for more flow-sensitive/long-finned/slow moving/small fish. And help avoid disrupting planted aquascapes from displaced sediment.
-They’re generally better on electricity over time
-There are also quieter options for airpumps. (for example i bought a pretty affordable air pump off of Aquarium Co op and the bubbles are louder than the pump. And the bubbles themselves are quieter than my old hang on back filter that I had which was considered a quieter model. And it doesnt get louder than that as tank water evaporates compared to hang on back filters)
-Hang on back filters dont need any further maintenance after a power outage and even offer options to keep running during an outage whereas hang on backs need you to pour water back inside to help the motor get back and running.
-since they use air, they also provide consistent water agitation to oxygenate the tank (which i have seen noticeable improvements on keeping my neon tetras alive since i made the switch)
-Sponge filters might not last forever per se, BUT they certainly last long enough and replacement options are so modular and affordable that it’s seldom a large problem
-if you plan on having multiple tanks in the same room, it is the single most affordable option to have multiple filters running quickly.
Pros of Hang on back filters:
-Replacing cartridges on hang on backs is far less messy and very quick
-filter media is far more customizable and offers varying types depending on your needs which could be great for removing sediment, as well as options for sponges to block fry and small fish from entering the intake
-Hang on backs are generally easy to hide and less visually distracting to your aquascapes/fish
-Hang on backs also last pretty long if taken care of regardless of moving parts
-hang on backs can come with options for quieter functions, and can be used in tandem with sponges cut back on the flow/noise of the hang on back filter
-Hang on backs dont typically make constant bubble sounds which for the most part have a cap on decibel output (but can be adjusted with airstones). The only noise coming from hang on backs is typically noticeable when water evaporates which might be a good reminder to add/change water and inspect the filter for general maintenance during seasons where you might get lazy to check aquariums.
-most hang on backs come bundled in beginner aquarium kits
----------
Both are really good for their own reasons, and most have generally interchangeable value for most fish. But if you consider fish/plants/hardscapes that you plan on stocking, be mindful of the flow of the tank, the needs for filtration media, and oxygenation.
Me personally, i stick with sponge filters and bust out the hang on back whenever i move sediment around and cloud up the water. Once its clear, I remove my hang on back because my fish are sensitive to heavy flow and shoving sponges into my filter that fall out every so often to remove heavy flow and pouring water after power outages is a HUGE PAIN.
Great video! Funny yet informative!
Thank you :-)
Just got some guppies ordered online. Amazing tiny fish so colorful. Awesome 👍 sure are tiny 😉
I've only ever used sponge filters when I was growing small fry in a seperate tank
I am so appreciative of this video! I've been using HOB on my three small tanks (5, 10, 20), but I've been seeing so many people like yourselves use sponge filters. This provided some really valuable context for me! Cheers!
I'm a newbie here and this is one of my favorite sponge filter videos 😂😂😂
Thanks for your advice 👍🏼
Praise the lord!!!! Somebody finally said it!!! I have NEVER liked sponge filters. EVER. I keep one in my 125 just to have it in case I need BB for a hospital/quarantine tank, but it isn't worth a crap for cleaning! THANK YOU!!!!!!
The best fish keeping video ever - love the way you give the manufacturers a run for their money - you are right! It is the most ugliest thing in a tank. Looks like a floor mop or enema device. Cant understand that they can't design a more modern version. Lots of people are going to hate you for this - but I AM SUBSCRIBING!
Appreciate you being here!
I use a sponge/HOB combination in every tank. That's been the winning combo for me for years.
GREAT JOB...LOVE THE RECAP..TURNING IT INTO A "YEA..WE KINDA NEED EM" 👍🏽👍🏽
I’ve always hated sponge filters. Pain is A to clean etc. but I really love the Heiger double sponge filter with the media in bottom. Very slick and easy to clean. I use them only tanks with HOBs that floss my water clean. Just using HOB for bacteria.
Prof. as always your honesty is awesome!!!!!! tell Madame Smallscape hello also! GSB
We’ll do!
Great video. And a good pro & con discussion.
Personally I don't have a preference. Sponge filters, HOB, and canisters all provide the same filtration at different speeds and scales. So, it's user preference. Your will get aerobic nitrification and basic mechanical filtration from all 3 options.
I personally favor more complex filtration methods, that are more expensive, harder to scale, and require effort to set up.
But with only one system; it's a one-time purchase, I only set it up once, and I have options for automation, testing and monitor probes, media reactors, anoxic zones, refuge zones for invertebrates or specialty organisms, and I keep not only my filter but also my heater out of the display... What do I prefer: A Sump.
As a thirty-five year aquarium enthusiast and sponge filter advocate, reading the title got my cackles up for sure. But I have to say, you ain't lying! Also, I guess beauty is subjective as I kinda like the look, especially the sound of the bubbles. Brings me back to the old days when mom and pop petshops were everywhere and you'd walk in and hear that beautiful sound of all those tanks running UGF's. And they certainly do go bad, especially when you have plecos knawing on them. I guess it all comes down to what makes you happy. I for one love the maintenance aspect of keeping fish so I'm not too bothered by the trouble. I also run power heads on my sponges in my big tanks, they do very well cleaning the debris, but need cleaning that more often. Take care and thanks for what you do!
Thanks for being here!
I love them in my breeding tanks. The fry absolutely love to feed off them. Yes they are ugly but they really do have an important place in my fish room.
Got ya self a new sub bro
Glad you are here!
I used to use hob filters and sponge filters, but now I just use my guppy grass as my bio filtration and my tanks are just as clear as when I used hob filters.
LOL Fantastic Video!!! They serve there purpose!! Needed for Fish Stores, wouldn't but it in my home Aquarium though! Love seeing them in fish stores instead of one giant sump pump filter running all there tanks due to disease. They serve there purpose for Fish stores. Love you Channel, just subscribed.
Thanks for being here!
The vital question is.....is it "sponge worthy" ?
Elaine says yes.
A sponge filter is one of the few products where it does such an outstanding job at what it does that i have come to not mind the look of them anymore. It's like the (Toyota)Camry, not pretty but works so well, you actually don't mind how it looks, as long as it does its function.
Yeah I'm all for function over looks. I don't use substrate in my tanks either because it's just easier to clean that way.
Haha great video! I have 18 tanks and all have Sponge filters on them.. Not a lot of aqua-scape though except my two displays, and they have a canister filter no sponge filters just because they are too large and the sponge filters typically don't come in large enough sizes for big tanks.. However every tank aside those has sponge filters. They are messy but I don't think I would ever go back to HOB because sometimes I forget to change the cartridge and that leads to over flowing and a watery mess since each bio-load is different, so sponge filters make for an easy change, I can see when it needs to be cleaned out rather than checking on the HOB every week to hope it doesn't overflow. But everyone's fish keeping style and preferences are different and what works for them may not work for me! Side note*** I think sponge filters cycle an aquarium faster than a HOB as well, I had a tank cycled in 5 days (30g) when I added a sponge filter when transferring the tank from a HOB, and had my 150G stock tank cycled in roughly 2 weeks if that (with 2 80G sponge filters) Then my display cycled in 4mos with a canister filter! Definitely hold a better environment for BB :) Awesome video and very informal! Love your videos, huge fan!
@fish friendzy are you using a sponge filter from an established tank or a new sponge filter?
I have two sponge filters because I only have two tanks. I also had a hang-on when I first started I just found that the hang-on was more expensive to maintain so I switched to sponge filters and I haven't regretted it.
I'm new to fish keeping but the fist sponge filters I own are aquarium coop filters. I have a 20g tall andba 36g bow front and I have a hob plus 2 sponge filters from the coop in both of my aquariums. I know they are ugly and take space but I feel safe in case the hob stops working because I have the aquarium co -op filters with a never clog stone running on a nano USB air pump. I know this setup only works 4 people with not that many thanks but so far has work for me.
Great video as always!
I've never used one, and probably never will.
I have 10gal tanks with shrimp, so these guys are the best. :) If I had a bigger tank with bigger fish...I'd not use these guys. I am thinking of grabbing Aquarium Co Op sponge liter and trying it out. :)
I saw this a long time ago, but I'm back again. I have a co-op sponge filter but maybe i need to get one that's more compact. I have a co-op sponge filter in my 16 gal shrimp tank and sometimes it doesn't collect any detritis at all. I clean it, and the rinse water is completely clear! Imagine the algae blooms I get in that tank. thankfully I exchange water frequently. Onward and upward over here! Have a great day.
Definitely worth trying the ATI Hydro II.
I've got an HOB over 30 years old lol... Still running!
For the sponge filters, I just begin to use it… which I kind hope to see your video sooner… All I watch the video about it is the positive side…. And I just put in the tank couple minutes ago to see how it’s going. I put this in the corner covered by driftwood and some tall plants. It works great( I think, at least to cover it) I don’t really see the filter if I close look it, and it doesn’t bothering plants or fish. By the way, I have a 29 & 10 gallons of tank. Those probably works great on smaller skill of tank which for the ones I got. If something to look forward safe money, that can be a beginning.
I started taking my sponge filter and taking the sponge off. Cut filter floss to the same height and make it where it wraps around it two times secure with zip ties. I will say it doesn't look like the prettiest thing. But does a much better job at filtering out small particles. You can also cut a piece of polishing pad and put it on first.
You can just gravel vacuum a sponge filter while it’s in the tank to clean it, plus they’re perfect for cycling a new tank set up
That will remove some detritus from the surface of the filter but usually doesn’t remove the stuff inside the filter (which clogs it).
Never ran a sponge filter but run an undergravel with a hang on back. Undergravel for biological and hang on back for mechanical. I dont understand why undergravels get all the negative feedback. They work great.
This is what I'm using for my 20 gal hex (24'' tall) tank. Planted, shrimps cherry, amano, blue diamond. Nerite snails and also produces delicious pond snails for fishes in other tanks. Can't think of better filter for that setup.
Oh and..I'm gonna say it. I find it beautiful :P
You can find them beautiful 😀
I find them nice to look at as well, mine have shrimp and snails always on them and I love watching them scavenge the little bits 🙂
@@jessicaklimekalexander3679 Same here, they are so beneficial for those critters that I think that's what makes me find them pretty.
Sponge filters are great, but they are not a miracle tool. They’re just a tool and every job needs the right tool. If you need water polishing or higher flow rates, get a hang on back or better. If you need aeration and biological filtration, a sponge is a great first step.
GREAT VIDEO
If you were running a rack of ONLY 3, 20 longs, lightly stocked would you recommend sponge filters, dual sponge filters or HOB?
Peace ✌️
I would probably run three HOB - probably three Seachem Tidal 35
Really appreciate your quality well thought through videos
Having used sponges, hang on back, and canister filters I have to say that my #1 is the hang on back. For me it strikes the best compromise between filtering capacity and easy of upkeep. Now if I had a livebearer breeding tank I would almost certainly go with sponge filters. Same if I had a bunch of tanks. That way I could just plumb in an air system and tap in and run all of the filters off of a single air pump. another advantage to the sponge filters is that you don't have that filter hanging on the back meaning you can slide the tank back a few more inches to free up floor space.
If I only had a few tanks HOB for me too!
Off topic: your shell dweller tank is awesome!
Sponge filter: you forgot one thing. Noise! My pump makes no noise (36db). But the bubbles out of the filter is loud (>46db). I use them just in quarantine tanks.
For aquascapes: I have just put mosses all over (with small wood /roots). Unfortunately then my husband banned them due to noise.
Thank you - good points!
Out of the 26 tanks that we have, what's not running either under gravel, or hang on backs, we run sponge filters, some we run a combo of hob and sponge, every tank from our 5s to our 240s , no canisters here, ugf, hob or sponge, with the exception of one running a diatamatious earth filter.
Hey J "Same sucking capacity as a 5 year old Walmart vac" Love it and so true...Tidal 110s for me..
I have been running 2 of the medium Aqqa sponge filters in my 40 for over a year and they work great, my goal with this tank is once the small fish have lived their life in there and only 2 to 3" fish remain I will be getting an African butterflyfish. So with the Aqqa sponge filters I didn't have to modify the plastic piece of the Versa top, which leave no gaps for the butterflyfish to jump out of the tank, and therefore sponge filters work really well for me.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED this video 📹 😄😄😄🥰🥰🥰 Thanks so much Jason😊
One of the greatest filters for those with a fish room but all good points. Another downfall I would like to highlight is that if your an avid pleco enthusiast and you like Pseudacanthicus (the Cactus family) you will likely end up with bits of sponge all over the aquarium. This genus regurly feasts on freshwater sponges in South America and those teeth are well equipped to tear them up and throw chunks of sponge through out the aquarium (and quickly at that) . Good video !
Agreed..just switched to canister...i can say these filter take space as well as... Headache once it goes so soft....
I like mine. Used a round lid on the hose and a regulator to help diffuse the bubbles. My HOB filters have been unreliable. Eventually they plug up. Switching over to the Hyyger style sponge filters in all my tanks now. You can adjust the angle of the outlet and the sponges so they are easier to hide. If they have two sponges you can pull an old one off to seed a new tank and pop a new one on without crashing the cycle. Im still new to the hobby but the pros far outweigh the cons for me.
Like others have said I keep large pore sponge filters in my tanks because we have recurring power shut offs in our area. I run battery back up air pumps to keep them going until I can get home and get the generator running and start the HOB’s and canisters going again. We don’t run the generator at night, so they come into play then also. I think it keeps the biological filtration stable and causes less stress on the fish.
well i do agree with all you said but in my opinion the sponge with a powerhead is really good at mechanical and biological filtration although you do need to oversize the sponge and it does look ugly but if you are breading fish and dont do it on a larger scale and you hate the noise the airpump makes they are still the best option . i do have all types hob sponge internal and canister they all have theyr uses but sponge filter is still the easiest to maintain out of all of them :D
I knew there had to be a catch to this! Good take!!!
Thank you! I’ll keep watching
I have sponge filters for all my tanks plus a couple tiny hang on the backs for added filtration for two of the 16 tanks I have and I love them. For me it’s the electric less chords plugged in. I was struggling with the outlets for all the heaters and hob and light and then air stone. Side note. I don’t think they are that ugly. People always go right to how horrible they are. They do take up a lot of space plus you gotta think about the circulation. Still beneficial for me. Two thumbs up for me!
I like your counterpoint coming in the form of a flashback. New sub here.
Thank you for being here!
For me it isn't a issue I run a Fluval 107 on my 55 and two sponge filters you barely notice the lines all you notice is the bubbles which I like they are cleverly hidden by my plants. I have 10 Discus snails 4 German Ballon rams 2 electric blue some rummy nose and some other tetras any loses have been due to expiration date.. it was their time I keep a quarantine tank been successful so far treating and sick fish and I also keep a shrimp tank with cherries and bamboo shrimp with mechanical and a sponge filter I believe the benefits outweigh the issues. You can always get creative and mask them with features or plants. Love the Chanel and the information. Thank you..
I use canister filters, ok the technology is for a small pool but really is the only way to house enough bacteria to get a well cycled tank, now if I was breeding then the spong filter is the only option. Or a fry incubator maybe.
I use both hang on back filter and sponge filter in the same tank. Is this good to do? I'm new in the hobby
Sure - we do that in a number of tanks.
There is no such thing as too much filtration.
I got 2 Aquaclear 70 HOB filters on my 55 gallon tank, I also have 1 up to 60 gallon sponge filter, do I even need the sponge filter with the 2 Aquaclears?