sponge filters?

Boredomb

In my 29 gallon tank I have a aquaclear 50 I believe. Turned down all the way it still makes a little bit to much current then I think should be there. It is pushing some of my plants around. I was thinking about getting a sponge for it at some point. How do they work? Well my understanding is it has to be driven by either a powerhead or an air pump correct? Which setup would be better for a 29 gallon tall? Or what filter setup would be best? Would like a canister filter for it but don't really have the money to spend for one of those right now. I have an air pump right now that isn't being used for anything could I use that for a sponge filter in a plants tank?

Mikaila31

I would opt for a powerhead. See if you can get a hold of a cheap UGF powerhead as they work great for DIY sponge filters. I have at least 3 backup filters because I get lots of those things. A few of them are pushing 10 years too. Drill a pipe attach a sponge, rubber band, and presto a filter. Its an ugly looking filter since I usually have the media exposed to the tank. Meh Just put Java Moss on it and its magically not there anymore... canister is overkill for a 29 gallon. I use canisters on large tanks. Anything small gets a DIY filter made from stuff that would pass as garbage.

Another style you could try is the hamburger-matten filter. Same thing basically, sponge and powerhead. Just different design. Like all expose filter media it can double as a moss wall too!

1077

Powerhead in my view would be better with sponge filter in planted tank.
With air pump,CO2 produced by fishes and bacterial activity would be lost at the surface .
So long as fishes weren't being swept around the tank,I would perhaps leave things as they are.
Plant's moving about would to me,,,indicate good circulation.
You could try moving the Aquaclear closer to the middle of the tank as opposed to one side and see if this doesn't help.
When I first set up canister,I placed the return (spraybar) on one end of the tank and plant's all leaned in one direction. I then moved the spray bar to the middle of the tank, and plant's all stand straight but they all move slightly which in my mind, is a good thing. It ensures nutrient's are distributed through out the tank and fish waste, which also provides nutrient's for plant's, doesn't all gather in one area.Hope this helps.

Boredomb

Okay thanks I will check into that may try moving the filter around for now and see if it makes a difference. I may still get one later down the road. There are a few things I need to get for that aquarium still and my other one as well. Thanks for the suggestions!

Boredomb

One question in a 29gallon tank. What size powerhead do I need? How much gph?

1077

Aquaclear model 20 or Penguin 550 should be plenty.
You might also check out Hydro sponge filters.

Boredomb

Okay thanks have been looking at the hydro sponge filters will probably get one of those

Byron

I prefer the sponge filter in the attached photo to Hydro. I have a Hydro in my 10g, and I have the attached in my 20g and 29g (your tank size). I have the clearest water in these tanks. And the plants grow well.

Byron.

Attached Images

sponge filter.jpg (33.0 KB, 59 views)

Boredomb

Byron can you please give a website or a name of that sponge filter? I have not seen one like that before. I like the look of that setup better then hydro and it looks like it would do a better job. Also do you run it off a powerhead?

Byron

Mine is an Elite made by Hagen, there are several manufacturers I think, I have seen others online. Here is the Elite package in the photo attached. There are single sponge and dual-sponge units, in different sizes too for small to large tanks, this one is rated for 30g, mine is on my 29g, and the smaller on the 20g.

I use an air pump. Also an Elite as it happens, I've had a 801 I think it is for almost 15 years, never a problem. So when I hooked up 3 tanks with sponge filters last month, I bought a larger Elite. They are not expensive, I'm in Canada and I got the new one at Petsmart for $19 (will be cheaper in USA).

I can't have powerheads in these tanks, the poor fish would be buffeted all over the place, and these tanks have very small fish that are wild caught in standing water mainly.

Byron.

Attached Images

elitedouble.jpg (69.4 KB, 49 views)