sponge in a filter does it work?

Question

do sponge filters realy work i have a 10 gallon tank so how does it work do u just put a sponge insead of filter cartrage in filter plz help oh and how often do i have to changwe it and how

oh uhhhhh ok

Answer 1

I think you have the wrong idea of what a sponge filter is. It's not putting a sponge IN the regular filter - although as others have said, using one does provide beneficial bacteria more surface area on which to live. There are even commercial filters like AquaClear that use a sponge as the primary filtration media. But this doesn't mean you can use any sponge around the house. Most sponges that you buy have chemicals to kill bacteria and detergents added to them. If you want to add a sponge, it's best to get one from the pet store and cut it to the size of your filter's regular pads/cartridges.

A sponge filter is just a sponge around a plastic tube with an airline connected to it (see photos: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/cat/infoL3/22885/category.web ). Air is used to pull water (with debris in it) through the sponge to trap it. This is the safest type of filter to use with baby fish (fry). Sponges also provide microorganisms a place to live and these feed on the debris that gets caught - the microorganisms are then eaten by the fry.

Some people also put a sponge around the intake of their regualr filter to prevent fry, small snails, anemones, or nudibranchs (these last 2 are saltwater organisms) from getting caught in the filters.

If you use a sponge filter, it still needs to be cleaned. The best way of doing this is to squeeze it out in a container of old tak water or declorinated water - if you rinse it under the tap, the chlorine will kill the bacteria and other organisms. As long as the sponge is not falling apart (and if you use one from a pet store, it will last for years - they are made from synthetic material so they won't rot like ones you'd buy for household use which are typically made of cellulose that are litlerally eaten by bacteria over time.

Answer 2

Lol. It is a bit misleading, isn't it? How can a sponge work in a filter?

Well, it's simple. It provides a bed for a community of bacteria to grow and thrive. The bacteria will break down ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrAte.

You won't have change it until it starts falling apart. I know manufacturers insist on changing it . . . maybe . . . every 6 months or so, but THAT's just to make more money out of you. Only ever change 1 sponge at a time and leave the new sponge in for about a month before changing the next one.

Answer 3

Ya, it does work!! You better go to the pet store and get 2 kinds of sponge: one that will work as a "pre-filter" and the one that will do the real filtering. Changing in every 7 or 8 months will be perfect. Of course people will try to make you buy and change it often, but if you wait too long it can compromise the water quality.

Answer 4

sort of, I've usedall types, but even so; think of this. A tank of fish is like a toilet never being flushed. What I mean is it took me years to figure out, but change atleast 10 percent of the water each week (or else the fish will get poisened from their urene.) Very important!! Merry Christmas!!