How do you tell if a sponge filter is working?

[JPA]

I'm sure this is a stupid question, but here it goes:

How do you tell if a sponge filter is working? I recently setup an Aquarium Technology sponge in a 29 gallon tank, hooking it up to a whisper air filter. The bubbles are coming up the tube, but there does not seem to be any suction on the outside of the sponge (even tiny particles of food don't stick to it).

I know a sponge filter is designed more for biological filtration, but I'm a little concerned that absolutely nothing is sticking to it. Any thoughts?

[phat nguyen]

Hello JPA...
How long did you set up your sponge filter ? on the next water change, make sure to squeeze it hard for a few times.... If you do see dirty water around the area, then it is working for you and your tank.

HTHs,

Perry Nguyen

[ericatdallas]

You're probably not going to get much suction from the air pump... maybe more effective in terms of flow by using a power head.

[Larry Bugg]

Typically you won't see much stuck to it. What you will probably see over time is a change in color as it gets dirty. What is sucked into the sponge is very, very small particles. As Phat said when you squeeze out the sponge you will see the dirt. Be sure to squeeze it out in a bucket of water from the tank so you don't kill the bacteria. If air bubbles are flowing up the tube then there is suction and it is working.

[JPA]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I setup the sponge filter about two weeks ago. It is running in conjunction with a Pengion 200.

[Eddie]

You won't feel any suction on the outside of any sponge. Its merely moving water slowly through it. Unless you air pump is very small, it's working. What size whisper pump?


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[Vee]

Make sure the uplift tube is connected to the the sponge filter when you use the air pump. If you don't, there will be little to no suction. The longer the tube, the greater the suction.

[BHarris '10]

[QUOTE=JPA;753098]I'm sure this is a stupid question, but here it goes:QUOTE]

I dont think its a stupid question. I recently set up two sponge filters for the first time. After a couple weeks of being paranoid that i wasnt getting enough "suction" I went out and bought a larger air pump.

Your not alone....

[JPA]

Thanks for all of the responses everyone. Very helpful.

FYI, I am using a Whisper 40 in a 30 gallon tank.

[TURQ64]

smell, man..a properly working sponge will have that somewhat 'earthy' smell to it...it be them bacteria's havin' a BBQ...

[Darrell Ward]

Taste!

[Jhhnn]

Make sure the uplift tube is connected to the the sponge filter when you use the air pump. If you don't, there will be little to no suction. The longer the tube, the greater the suction.

I don't think that's true at all. Yeh, there will be more flow w/ the chimneys attached, but there's still sufficient flow without, particularly when using a small airstone under the bullseye. The airstone gives quieter operation, as well. I finally just discarded the chimneys on my own sponge filters because the discus would get scraped on the ends, even after I'd sanded them as smooth as I could. There's still lots of gook in the sponges when I pull 'em to squeeze 'em out in a bucket of tank water every few weeks...

I use the #3 ATI sponges exclusively, also put an extra step or riser under the sponge itself to make siphoning detritus easier. Ken carries 'em, and suitable small airstones, too...