Sponge filtration is an often overlooked type of filtration for freshwater aquarium or ponds and even marine aquariums . Many persons look past their simplicity as ineffective, but therein lies their quality. I have used them for my aquarium maintenance for 27 plus years with brilliant results. Here then is a list of their attributes:
[1] Simple to use, most run on very basic air pumps or powerheads. One of the best beginner aquarist filters due simplicity and cost. But sponge filters are also well loved with breeders and research facilities, as they are very efficient yet simple filters.
[2] Brilliant biological filtration, they are very porous and can maintain very large aerobic bacterial colonies in proportion to the space they occupy. Please note that not all materials used for sponge filters are equal, there are patents because of this! The Hydro Sponge Filter holds several patents for sponge filters for this very reason!
[3] Mechanical filtration, although they are not the best mechanical filters, they still do a excellent job for their small size and make brilliant secondary or primary filters when used in combination with other filters such as HOB, canister, or internal filters.
[4] Very few “dead” areas trapping pockets of noxious bacteria, unlike undergravel filters and even wet/dry filters (which in my experience are over rated).
[5] Simple to clean, simply remove the sponge and squeeze or rinse in ancient aquarium water or dechlorinated tap water. The advantage here is the aquarist is less likely to ignore cleaning the filter (unlike many complex filters), which can lead to organic build up, increasing nitrates and lowering KH and ph.
[6] Sponge filters are fantastic in marine aquariums in a couple of different ways; one way is in a sump (sometimes sideways) with a small power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 480); the other (usually in a reef application) was inside the aquarium with either an air pump or power head. The beauty of either application is they are simple to rinse out with used aquarium water, which in the reef application was especially useful in that I could dispose of allot of debris before it cycled and produced Nitrates. They are an brilliant compliment to “live rock” filtered reef aquariums.
[7] Probably the best choice of filtration for breeding tanks, hospital tanks, and even discus aquariums, due to the fact that they do not “suck” in baby or weak fish or attract noxious bacteria.
[8] For cichlid breeding they excell, as they are not easily disturbed by cichlids tendency to dig.
[9] Inexpensive
[10] Now available in larger sizes for aquariums over 60 gallons.
[11] Sponge filters can even be used in ponds. With the “Hydro Pond Filter”, simply attach a power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 2600), then run your return line wherever you like (waterfall, ECT). Or the Hydro Pond II can be run off a simple air pump. These filters can work on ponds up to 1500 gallons (or more with additional units).
[12] There also are sponge filters that are used as a “Pre-Filter” for intakes of canister, wet/dry, power filters and more. They offer increased bio-filtration to your existing system, as well as protection from baby fish, plants, or anemones from being sucked into the intake of your existing filter.
These pre-filter sponges are especially useful for HOB (power filters) as they increase the bio capacity (far more than bio wheels in experiments I have done) and retain the aerobic bio filtering bacteria during filter media changes. With out these Sponge pre-filters, HOB filters are poor to honest bio filters, with them they are brilliant.
[13] Sponge filters are fantastic for planted aquariums, they do not interfere with root structures and maintain a biological balance that ideal for planted aquariums.

Pets are a welcome addition to many people’s lives; but, not everyone can handle nor want the responsibility of large animals. Perhaps space is an issue, or cost, or time. For those who would delight in a pet but whose concerns have restricted their buy in the past, the tranquility of fish could be the answer. A well maintained aquarium can bring hours of joy and entertainment to a household. But what is necessary to establish a stable environment for fish, simply a bowl and water? For most species of fish, the answer is decidedly “No. ” To make and delight in an aquarium, careful plotting should preview any buy of equipment or fish. Consider the size of tank needed, the type of aquarium water pump, the size of filter, and whether a water heater is necessary. For aquarium success, proper circulation, along with filtration and lighting, is the foundation. Consider the natural environment of water. It contains air circulation and exchange, plant and microbial life, fish, and constant changes from weather conditions; it is a complete ecosystem, your household aquarium is not. Without proper circulation your tank will fail. Water movement is necessary because it makes surface movement. This movement allows oxygen into the water and lets waste gas (nitrogen) out. Water circulation is also an vital part in stabilizing water conditions like temperature and salinity, where fluctuations might stress or kill your fish. Heaters necessary to produce more natural temperatures for your fish only affect one area in your tank, the rest of the aquarium relies on circulation to evenly distribute it. Equally, without an aquarium water pump, normal algae growth can become extraordinary. With water movement this growth is eliminated at the surface (like in ponds) and it becomes much more hard for algae to take hold of other surfaces. So how much water movement is needed? Depending on the size and type of your tank, industry standards state to multiply the number of gallons in your tank by the “turn-over rate” for your species of fish following the chart below. Tank Type Turnover Rate Freshwater Tanks (small fish) 3-4 times per hour Freshwater Tanks with Plants 2 times per hour Freshwater Tanks (large fish) 5-6 times per hour Saltwater Tanks 5-7 times per hour Saltwater Reef 7-10+ times per hour For example, with a 10 gallon, fresh-water fish tank, and no live plants, I would need a GPH (gallon per hour) movement rate of 40 (10gal X 4tr. ) There are many different types of aquarium filtration to consider. Aquarium water pumps can be internal or external and generally require a “trickle” or wet/dry filtration system. Depending on your space and application needs, you can choose from submersible pumps that sit inside your tank and are relatively silent and simple to install or external/inline pumps which are considerably louder but stronger powered. Powerheads are also available; these types of submersible pumps attach to the sides of your tank and make underwater currents. You can find these and all other equipment needed for your aquarium online at JuliesPetMarket. com. JuliesPetMarket. com carries a huge selection of aquarium water pumps. Such brands as GenX, Rio, and Coralife populate this site attesting to the high demand for quality required by the owners. All items carry a full, 30-day, manufacturers’ warranty, and JuliesPetMarket. com offers a 14-day “return for any reason” guarantee as well. Make sure to check out their website in the plotting stages of your aquarium to get some fantastic product at affordable prices. If you have questions or need help through this process, their friendly, knowledgeable staff is available to help.

Flow rate @ 1 ft: 270 gphMax head: 7. 0 feetWatts: 24. Amps: . 2. Dimensions: 5″ X 3. 8″ X 4. 2″Connections: 1/2″ FPT Inlet / 1/2″ MPT OutletFoam pre-filter. Simple to clean and replace. 10 foot grounded cordFor external or submersible usePerformance charts (new window)…
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