Sponge filters

[slp]

Can you use sponge filters instead of canister or hob filter? How many should be used in a 75 gallon tank?

[discuspaul]

Sure you can. How many you wish, &/or need, to use depends on the size of the sponge filters. A large single one is doable in a 75 gal - but many folks will use two, or even 3.

[Phillydubs]

Of course you can... A lot of people here use only sponges... You could get away with 2 big ones, but I would say 3 if you wanted to really be sure?

[Bill63SG]

Running a 100gal nothing but sponge.

[Phillydubs]

You beat me Paul!! What he said! haha

[pitdogg2]

http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-filters/ati-sponge-filters.html

[Filip]

And what about the air pump?
Does it have to be a certain wattage or a strength for a given tankage ?
Does anybody know how much flow does a particular airpump runs through a sponge filter, something like a gallon per hour flow rate?

Sorry for busting in your thread SLP. :-)

[slp]

Wish I had known this before I spent all that money on a canister.

[slp]

No problem. Good question. I would also like to know if my pump will be ok.

[rickztahone]

Canisters still serve a great purpose. For one, they get rid of an unsightly filter in your tank. However, they can be nitrate factories if you do not clean them often.

[DJW]

And what about the air pump?
Does it have to be a certain wattage or a strength for a given tankage ?
Does anybody know how much flow does a particular airpump runs through a sponge filter, something like a gallon per hour flow rate?

Sorry for busting in your thread SLP. :-)

Based on what I have, I would say that a single large sponge filter running strong needs about 120 liters per hour or 30 gallons per hour of air. Some pumps are rated at liters per minute (LPM). So for example if you have an LPH26 pump from Jehmco, that one is rated for 29 LPM, or 1740 liters per hour. Divide by 120 and it will run 15 sponges at a strong rate.

[Filip]

Based on what I have, I would say that a single large sponge filter running strong needs about 120 liters per hour or 30 gallons per hour of air. Some pumps are rated at liters per minute (LPM). So for example if you have an LPH26 pump from Jehmco, that one is rated for 29 LPM, or 1740 liters per hour. Divide by 120 and it will run 15 sponges at a strong rate.

Thanks for info Dan.
How do you know that 30 gph is enough for large sponge ? Wouldn't it be more efficient if we run it with 60 gph pump?
Are there any rules on this matter?

[DJW]

No rules, at least I hope not, lol. I just took the sponges and pumps I have and did a little arithmetic to see what volume of air they need. I am thinking of getting a new pump instead of several little ones and your question got me thinking about this. I suppose you could force more air through them than that.

[brady]

It seems to me that I read somewhere that we usually use to much air in our sponges. Something to do with the amt. of time the water spent in the filter.
Anybody remember this article and/or the science behind it?
Jay

[DJW]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?40900-Too-much-air-for-Hydro-5-s

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?106412-Hydro-sponge-filters

[brady]

Thanks Dan. Knew I saw it somewhere.
Jay

[Filip]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?40900-Too-much-air-for-Hydro-5-s

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?106412-Hydro-sponge-filters

Thanks Dan ,
Those 2 links along with an aquarium products review link were very informative read.

I have never used sponges before and i always find them outdatet and anachronic , but SD forum and their vast use here amongst users changed my thinking about them.
I will def. Try one on my 20 gallons BB QT tank