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filter upgrade

2K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  Angel079 
#1 ·
sooo after a few discussions on the topic ive opted to replace my tetra HOB 10, and air powered sponge filter with an aquaclear 20 HOB, as they in my experience produce the least amount of surface turbulence.

my goal is to ultimately just run the sponge filter, once the tank gets well established.. so my question is, should i ultimately upgrade the sponge filter to a hydro sponge so I can run it on a powerhead, or is the air really maybe not so bad? I know the bubbles and disruption imbalance the co2 cycle, but is it really THAT bad?
 
#2 ·
For which of you tanks is that?
You can establish a tank with a sponge only and save yourself the step (and money) to buy another HOB for just now. All my 10 g's are set up with sponges only from the get go. I can tell ya from my tanks with the sponges that I do not see any different growth in them tanks vs the 55g that has the Canister and even Liquid Ferts in it and even in past tanks with stronger air pumps on the sponges I never had a growth or malnutrition issue with the plants. On the 10g's I try to find air pumps that are less then 1watt.
The only think I wanna change is buy a different timer so when the lights are on sponge goes off and lights off sponges goes on; just simply because there's no necessity to run it 24/7 (like I have been doing so far all these yrs).
 
#3 ·
I agree. An HOB should never be the filter of choice on a planted tank. Plants are the filters, the "filter" we add just circulates the water and removes particulate matter keeping it clear. There is no benefit whatsoever to higher filtration with plants. Save your money, there will be nice fish and plants to buy.
 
#4 ·
no no, the HOB is just a stepping stone. Ultimately my goal is to just use the sponge filter, but i have concerns about the sponge filter being air powered as I was to understand that bubbles were bad.
 
#5 ·
No. If yuo have hardcore disturbance over a planted tank like a HOB or Powerhead can create then you have stunned plant growth. With a sponge only you won't see this issue. You may or may not have seen my aquarium log before but any & all of the smaller tanks are set up with sponges and the plants speak for themselves in there IMO so its not like you'd have to 'only' take my word for it, just look at the picture proof :)
 
#6 ·
sigh. this all gets very frustrating, everywhere you look and everyone you talk to, you wind up getting pointed in a different direction. Ill stick to my oxygen plus filter and relocate the AC20.

and from now on everything I take out of that tank, im cutting the plugs off so it cant go back in lol
 
#7 ·
Don't get frustrated :-D
There's no such thing then ONE single set up only in a tank that'll work; there's a bunch different reasons for all kinds of set ups along with a bunch of reasoning's why or why not to; some work better long term then others that's often the only difference.
Just go with what you feel is "right" for you tanks and what makes you happy :-D
And don't cut the plugs...you may need the stuff again one day :-D
 
#8 ·
lol how right you are. Its just like, when i decided to go ALL air filters (except for the big stuff) to save on energy costs, I had about 20 people tell me something like "OMG! air? in a planted tank!? YOUR TANK WILL EXPLODE AND POISON THE ATMOSPHERE FOR 2 GENERATIONS!" though i must say I trust you guys alot more than I trust anyone i buy anything from lol
 
#9 ·
Sometimes you will read post or comments and my common reaction to these certain one's is ~whatever~

Like I said I am getting me these 'special' timer and set mine so the sponge is off when the lights are on and turns the sponge on when lights are off; I have small (1-3watts) air pumps on there and uhm yea everything's fine here (apart from me needing a serious lawnmower for the java moss here).

Just do what you think makes sense to YOU and what works for your budget ~That simple!~ :)
 
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