sponge filter?

Question

i just set up my tank a couple days ago [10 gal.] and have 2 white cloud minnows and am planning to add a male + female dwarf gourami. could you please explain how a sponge filter works and if its ok for a 10 gal. [i have a sponge filter running now.]

Answer 1

a sponge filter will be fine for your tank, read the following
http://fishlesscycling.com/forum/index.php?topic=302.0


But DON'T put any more fish in your new tank yet, or you will loose them, your tank needs to cycle first before adding any more fish to it
Check out the articles and learn about it
http://fishlesscycling.com/articles.html

NO more fish until it's cycled or you will kill them through ammonia poisening
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

any questions feel free to email me through my profile

Answer 2

You have set the tank up 2 days ago, you must let the tank cucle to get rid of any harmfull Nitrogens and amonia in the water that will become deadly to your fish b4 adding more i would add some Backtinettes to your Bio Filter to help the cycle along or you will be wasting your money buying already dead fish Now for the question
The sponge filter builds up an active bed of Bacteria which is really good for the tank NEVER WASH THE SPONGE WITH TAP WATER ALWAYS USE TANK WATER TO RINSE AS YOU WONT KILL ALL THE GOOD BACTERIA the sponge filter will also filter out any Crap in the water you need to Rinse through once a month or six weeks depending on how many fish you have but i think for the size of tank three fish will be enough

Answer 3

Well, when the air pump is turned on and the water is sucked up, while it goes to the sponge debris are left to stuck in the sponge filter.

Answer 4

Most fish poo settles to the bottom and sinks below the gravel to slowly decompose. the filter system is designed to grab things like excess food (and some poo but not all) and other chems (Charcoal filters) If you don't have any gravel get some. The decay of the poo actually balances out the tank and make an ecosystem of sorts.

Answer 5

a sponge filter works via air pump. The air is forced into a tube and then on its way up, it creates a sucking force, which attracts dirt onto the filter.

Sponge filter isnt going to be enough for your tank, a 10 gallon with that many fishes, Look into a HOB filter, or hang on back.

Very common, and cheap. Try looking into the basic pengiun or whishper. A HOB filter is much better for your tank.

Sponge filters are best for grow out tanks, breeding, and inverts.


Edit: a friend of mines, made this video on youtube about sponge filters.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=02LukH-muZs

it might help, but really look into a HOB filter.

Answer 6

Well, once it's connected to the air pump, it will start sucking water through the sponge. As the water gets sucked in, the debris gets trapped on the sponge, which is what the purpose is. Then on the return end, clean water returns into the tank.

~ZTM