How to Clean a Sponge Filter + 3 Bonus Tips

Congrats on setting up your first sponge filter! But what’s next? Do you need to clean it or replace it? Keep watching as I share my top tricks for keeping your sponge filter working in tip top shape!
🧽 My favorite sponge filter: geni.us/SpongeFilter_GTF
📚 RESOURCES
▶ How to Install a Sponge Filter + 3 Bonus Tips: • How to Install a Spong...
▶ Can You Clean Sponge Filters with Tap Water? • How to Clean Sponge Fi...
▶ How to Clean a Betta Fish Tank… the Easy Way! • How to Clean a Betta F...
🛒 MATERIALS I USED
▶ Sponge filter: geni.us/SpongeFilter_GTF
▶ Airline tubing: amzn.to/32aJUJL
▶ Air pump: amzn.to/2SKDWfB
▶ Air stone: amzn.to/2vPN3Tb
▶ Check valve (prevents water from flowing out of your aquarium): amzn.to/2SKGxGj
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from the links above. Also, I work for Aquarium Co-Op but am not sponsored by them.)
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ATTRIBUTION
Music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra... (if you use my referral link, I get 1 month free 😀)
#aquarium #plantedtank #fishtank

[@GirlTalksFish]

*Learn how to install your first sponge filter here:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/eISamHx-itCbq9E

[@kasperaquatics]

Love how you cut the test strips in half to make them last twice along. You can do a video on that, and how to save money in the hobby.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Keke, you noticed... I included it in one of my KZbin stories as a little tip of the day. 😉

[@extrasuperpowr]

That is super clever

[@lynnbonica4342]

I recently bought my first sponge filter, so this was perfect timing. Thanx. It answered all my questions. 👍🍄😎

[@Kjuneholmes]

This was super helpful. I watched your videos amongst many to decide on which filter I would go with and you convinced me to go with a sponge filter for the first time after 20 years of fish keeping. Thank you because I was highly intimidated on how to clean this thing

[@deadfred821]

Love the presentation. Might I add that your tank water & sponge waste can be added to your garden as that's some powerful natural fertilizer. Just don't use tank water from reptiles & amphibians on food baring plants as their waste can contain salmonella that can be passed on to the fruits/vegetables they produce (but the roses & lilies will still love it).

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh interesting! I didn't think about not using reptile and amphibian water for those reasons. Thank you so much for the heads up. :)

[@deadfred821]

@@GirlTalksFish Yep, but that's just for the food baring plants. Violets, roses, lilies & others are fine since you won't be eating anything from them.

[@craigb2279]

You read my mind. I have always wonder if dirty tank water would make a good fertilizer for my plants. Thanks much

[@maliakessel5792]

Omg I was going to clean my first sponge filter today and had no clue how! Thank you so much for the very informational video! Keep up the good work!👍

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yay, I'm glad this video helped you!

[@gshrimp1601]

I literally love you thank you so much for being a shining brilliant human and making my aquarium hobby so much more enjoyable to learn about! I love the way you organize and edit your videos!

[@tiffanyc6486]

An absolute queen. I am learning so much from your videos and your wisdom from your experiences and research 🙏🏽🙌🏽

[@origamijuniper3084]

Thank you for these tips! I feel like your videos are answering all the questions I’ve been asking!

[@bjaldi71]

You really do such a good job with these videos. It is fun to track your progress, while also using tips from both your successes and mishaps in the hobby. It's all a part of the process. I plan on implementing a sponge filter along with my current overhead filter to up the quality in my tank, and this plus your installation video were super informative. Can't wait to see your tank update!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Ooo fun! Best of luck with your upcoming projects. :)

[@jasbell1]

Just wanna say thanks for all the work you put into your videos. I appreciate how you do so much research and explain it in such an easy to understand way. I've been a ton of your advice while setting up my first tank!

[@benisergonzales3686]

I missed your videos ♥️♥️♥️ . Keeping simple yet effective.

[@oliviagiuliano3696]

Super helpful thanks for clearing it up, easy to understand

[@GirlTalksFish]

My pleasure! Glad it could help out. :)

[@jennyveile]

This is just what I needed! Thank you!

[@mldaydreamz6751]

Love from India ♥️♥️ Helpful information thanks 👍☺️

[@xJustinxP]

Excellent! Thank you 🙏

[@WhiteCottages]

Thank you! No buying filters any more!

[@shivamghorpade7761]

Very informative and nicely explained.thank you.

[@LadyKT7232]

Thank you for the great advice!!❤👍

[@janellehernandez9012]

You're a lifesaver! Nobody does it like you!

[@joshszooofanimals5416]

Great video and information 😊👍🏻

[@corinneroberts4606]

Very helpful!! Thank you !!

[@soupbonep]

You have the best and most helpful aquarium videos with great information!

[@lynnthompson6796]

Thank you for sharing this video 👍😀

[@DC-wq4do]

Hi Irene, I love your videos. I hope you keep them coming. Mahalo 🤙🤙🤙

[@rayduncanmusic]

Your videos are so helpful and informative, thank you :) :)

[@kentmerrill8925]

Great video. Just learning

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

Beautiful tip

[@suee031]

Great video. Have a nice weekend. Stay healthy.

[@timw.8225]

Great video...................been using sponge filters for years along with HOB on some tanks. I have well water and always clean it under the tap with no repercussions as of yet.........of course I have no chlorine or chloramine in my well water so that`s a plus !!

[@thomasm78]

Great video. I actually use to be more scared but I clean my aquaclear foam in tap. It also helps that I have 2 filters on the tank, so I clean one and the other I clean another time.

[@BetaTheProject]

I’m switching to a sponge filter this weekend!

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

Great video. I like how you conducted this video. There are many people that think they do not need to do anything to keep their Aquarium clean which is why this video is good for them. Never neglect your Aquarium. Have a great week.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week yourself. :)

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

@@GirlTalksFish Thank you. :)

[@tomlee7258]

Your videos are always well done!I have used tap water to clean filters for years with no issues. We seem to forget that bacteria can live on all surfaces in a aquarium. I try to get the water temperature close and stagger maintenance with a second filter or media.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yes! Couldn't have summarized this issue better myself. :)

[@ericagua4491]

Good tips .. I personally like to dunk my sponge in a bucket of tap water with some prime after I dunked it a couple times in old water.. helps to see if you got all that waste off ..

[@davidg145]

Irene, what I do is to declorinate tap water before using it to clean my 3 sponge filters. So far so good,

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for another informative video. The short and packed with wisdom format works well ! The tip on squeezing the sponge to make it sink is a good one. I also appreciated the insight on pore size. Dose the presence of fry make a smaller pore size better? Thanks again, Jim PS: Please inform us when Aquarium Co-OP starts stocking the "Magical Tool" filter. We will all be looking for the alchemy analysis in the blog review.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol! That would indeed be awesome if there was a never-clog sponge filter where you never had to clean it. Even with tiny fry, I haven't had a problem with them getting sucked up into large porosity sponges, but maybe someone has seen it happen?

[@Kasaiiix]

I missed your videos 😁

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much! I hope to make videos a little more frequently in the future.

[@badger6576]

Hi great tips. I loveee your channel 🤩🤩😊

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Nice video! I’ll actually have a video out soon about why tap water is ok to use. 😀

[@GirlTalksFish]

Perfect! I loved your first video on washing sponge filters with tap water. Will update the link when it comes back. :)

[@s.d.k874]

Thx for giving ur tips😊 What happened to tour tank? Ive also seen a hillstream loach🤔 Can you do and update? If you've got time of course..

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yes! The Shy Guys tank is currently undergoing a huge renovation. I added a bunch of new plants and plan to do an update once they grow in a little.

[@AQUAGUYUK]

Great video I am not a fan of sponge filters but maybe your tips will help

[@coynerooski]

What a great video.

[@dvt6481]

Thanks for the advice. I was about to replace my two 6yrs old sponge filters . Save the money for more fish food . 😊

[@Ephem13]

I use a sponge on the intake of my canister filter (tip I picked up from one of Cory's vids) to keep large debris out of my main filter area, it also helps protect my shrimp fry. I also keep fish that like cooler temps. Of the ~23 gallons it takes me to fill my tank, about 2.5 gallons is canister and co2 reactor all in a cool place. Combined with my screen top and a fan, I can keep my tank nice and cool in the worst of the Texas summers. Also, I can deep clean my in tank sponge and all four walls without any kind of bloom, something I wasn't able to do before the canister and reactor.

[@earshad2622]

Thank you Irene

[@GirlTalksFish]

My pleasure!

[@charliemalinis5028]

Thankyou for this vid information. I haven't cleaned mine in months hahahaha now I can clean it properly

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yay, glad I could help! :)

[@cuileann8240]

I like to scoop my sponge filter up in a ziplock bag. It helps so much with things getting out as I take it out. It’s so satisfying to see everything come out that way

[@matthewbeasley2869]

I use a wide cup under it then just take out the tubing & clean everything in the cup. I have a pretty small tank rn tho =/ & my betta just passed 2 nights ago. I'll never shop at my local petsmart again, I can't take how they neglect their live animals & have decided not to support them anymore. Anyway sorry for the rant, I've been watching her vids since we got the betta I mentioned. He was already too old & sick when we got him, but I couldn't return him after thinking he would just be freezing in a tiny cup until I died if I brought him back to them. ANYWAY a small container to keep all the yuckies out deff helps me. Plus it stays wet in the old tank water while cleaning.

[@mondraymondo]

I love these. Especially for a shrimp tank: free food! Anyways will you do more aquatic plants video? Maybe about tiger lotus / dwarf lily?

[@ahmedabraheem8219]

I love you thank you

[@JeremyGoneWildPets]

Great video! I have one tank who’s sponge filters I need to replace soon because they’re covered in black beard algae

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh yeah, I have one like that too. I may have to bleach it get rid of everything. 😤

[@spitz-mv6zb]

i honestly would recommend finer sponges for both filter and prefilter for hang on backs if you have shrimp, newborn shrimplets like to dig around in there if it's coarse and they'll die when you take it out for cleaning.

[@sunflowermouse307]

Just ordered my first sponge filter from Aquarium Coop. I've been having major issues with water quality in my 20 gallon with very little I do helping the situation so I'm hoping this will help solve the dirty water problem. I didn't think I had an overstocked tank, but I'm pretty new to fishkeeping so I've lost a couple little guys recently :(

[@MidnightGeekSS]

Another great informative video! Can you do one about quarintining your fish with cory's med trio

[@GirlTalksFish]

Actually I already have a video on it on the channel. Just go to my channel homepage and there's a search bar next to the About tab. :)

[@triplethedefeaterx8356]

You're awesome.

[@aorjarsrelaxingvideos6126]

The fish shop I go to, told me he cleans his sponge filters every 3 years in his shop (over 200 tanks) because of the beneficial bacteria 🙂 he also users dirty sponge filters in his quarantine tanks with 100% success.

[@twunderaquatics1770]

I clean my sponges in tap water every week but I have well water. I do try to get the temperature of the tap water close with the tank. Never use hot water! 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

[@GirlTalksFish]

Great tip! I didn't think about possibly matching the tap water temperature with the aquarium.

[@AdriCr4ft]

Well it depends. If you are based in the UK, or somewhere that they don’t use mixed taps it’s not recommended and this is for human consumption, not talking about fish because i think if it’s not good for us to drink then maybe it isn’t good to swim in either lol I don’t know but with a little research it is because it often comes from a storage tank within the home and is not as fresh as water directly from the mains or your pipes may not be copper like the cold water ones. hot water also dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold water, and many pipes in homes contain lead that can leach into water. in south Wales the water is very acid so a certain amount of copper from the hot water pipes and tank get dissolved out into the water. While making tea from this wouldn't kill you it would certainly taste disgusting. I have also read that Cold tap water is higher in oxygen than hot. 🤷‍♀️ I thought it was a good idea too but I had to mention this since when I moved to the UK I wasn’t aware about this either . We have Mix taps in Portugal so it would come from the main tap always. Thanks for your video very helpful And also Thanks for your hot water tip. I’m sure there are countries and people who know where their water sources come better than me

[@ThisBraveHeart]

I’ve been waiting for my shrimp to get shot out of the sponge filter that I just installed😂 Thanks for answering my questions!

[@gerarditank5663]

You are my favorite go to You Tube page for fish questions! Thank you for your great videos!

[@RhythmOfTheTides]

Seeing "Girl Talks Fish" has uploaded a video is always the highlight of my day

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh my goodness, thank you! Totally made my day! :)

[@erikalane8198]

Is there a specific way to convert from a hang on the back filter to a sponge filter? Should I have them both running for a period of time or can I just swap it out?

[@boglarkaselek4837]

Hello, I am new to the hobby and I find very helpful your video. My question is, why does my sponge have a smell? I clean it every week but it still smells bad. What should I do?

[@nattynoot]

The shrimp getting shot out with the bubbles really took me out 😭😭😭

[@GirlTalksFish]

I love that shot... they're like "Wheeeee!" 😂

[@takiamitchell9867]

I'm switching from a hob for my shrimp tank to a sponge. I've got 1 and 2 week old baby shrimplets. Do you think they will be fine with the aquarium co-op course sponge filter in a 10 gallon?

[@jasonbeard4130]

I installed a new sponge filter on a small tank yesterday. When I put my hand in the tank I got a zap. I’ll be buying a new heater today, and switching off everything but the light when doing maintenance from now on

[@robertma6068]

In terms of cleaning the filter, I'm thinking that water you've got on standby that has been dechlorinated with a dechlorinator? I have two buckets of dechholorinated water on standby for water changes. I like to keep them out awhile so that all remaining gases get out. One could always get a bucket of that ready the day before so that they have it available when they want to clean out the sponge filter.

[@bartamarine]

My question I was looking for is... well I have a clay based fluorite, anytime you disturb the substrate it turns cloudy red and my sponge filter will eventually clear it but obviously be saturated with the particles. When I turn it off and remove it it’s like when I turn it off all the stuff starts leaching out... is it best to remove it and keep it on or turn it off and pull it up slowly? What’s the best option? I have a new planted snail and shrimp tank! Thanks!

[@ironfae]

No matter what kind of fish you keep, you should definitely replace the sponges once a year. The build up of beneficial bacteria is good, but it will eventually take over the sponge pores after that long. Replacement sponges are super cheap and it’s better to keep spares anyway.

[@marksguitars5617]

great video once again, helpful and to the point, thank you! Stay safe!

[@gautamji9840]

U look like a strict teacher. Idk why When I see your video I had feelings like if I skip it you will be starring at me in my dreams. 😂

[@heavenboundfarm2159]

Really like the show ..I don't use sponge filter because I don't know how to clean them Thank you

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yay, glad it helped!

[@Clone_Trooper-zh5cn]

Do you have to clean the tube as well because I noticed its getting quite dirty?

[@thirdaquino566]

Hi do you use CO2 Diffuser for your aquatic tank(s)?

[@MB-fz8ov]

i bought a smaller sponge filter like 5.5cm height one as that was only i could find in my country right now ... can i add bigger sponge to the filter or should i buy a bigger one as the bigger ones are not available currently

[@commoncurt4569]

Do you have any pictures or videos of when the AquaClear flooded?

[@vanaheim8998]

If you only have 1 sponge filter can some of the old tank water that's now full of the bacteria from filter be poured back into the aquarium. If you could use that water to help start a new aquarium can't you use it also on the same tank again but maybe mixed with your tap water for water change?

[@galacticknight8322]

I have a filter that makes a waterfall looking thing I noticed that it started making more bubbles and they don’t pop as fast as they used to I added fish decoration and rocks

[@abejeffcruz7555]

Hi Ma'am Irene .. is it okay to attach a sponge filter in power head?

[@DroneOn]

I have always used the wring out method in old water during a water change. Not because it's superior, it's that I am a creature of habit. If it's not broken don't fix it mentality. If there was an obvious advantage. I would try it.

[@swaygle]

So by old tank water do you mean tank water that was syphoned out? For example, if I do a 25% water change, do I clean the sponge filter in that water?

[@vinaybalakrishnan8869]

Yes

[@ktylonox8646]

How do I clean the Aquarium Co-op intake sponge on my power filter?

[@meganpate9758]

Are sponge filters okay with plecos? My pleco likes to sit on my hang-on back filter and I was wondering if he will knock over the sponge filter or even damage it?

[@kennethclarkbalones3761]

Hi! I just wanna ask if is it harmful for my nano fishes that has a brown or yellow water and there's a lot of bubbles in the top of my tank?

[@anoopjames7548]

Other than a hob filter possibly sucking up your nano fish, is there any reason why you prefer sponge filters? Is it less maintenance or just easier maintenance compared to a HOB? Also, does it keep water cleaner than a HOB, to me (theoretically) a HOB would keep water cleaner as is sucks water through the filter hence cleaning more particles in the water. Interested to hear you experience with a sponge vs HOB? You probably did a video on this, let me check!:D

[@jonathanrussell7854]

Hi often do you clean yours I only have a axolotl and a few fish

[@Avfishes]

Does the tubing just go into the piece on top of the sponge filter?

[@StarStar-tg1kq]

Hi ive just made the mistake of washing my filter with tap water,and the day after my tank is cloudy and the sponge has a strange white colour to it,can you offer advice please?

[@ninarichards2046]

How do you unclog a sponge filter? Like I know how to clean the sponge filter, but I have a few sponges where no bubbles are coming out at all. There is no surface agitation at all.

[@freshstupidity6868]

How do you replace. Tank water and how often

[@pungr]

My go to woman!

[@Shetasen]

Is the betta okay with the coarser sponges? I was looking at some sponges for a DIY sponge filter and could only find course ones and it was unsure if it would snag a betta's tail and fins.

[@GirlTalksFish]

In my experience, I haven't had any trouble with coarse sponges hurting betta fish. 👍

[@Shetasen]

@@GirlTalksFish thaks

[@Chikaveh]

Straight-forward video

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thanks! I wish I had been able to make it even shorter. Gotta ramble a little less next time. :P

[@roggy001]

Lasts forever: I recently had a sponge filter just kind of break down and shrink. It was one of finer pore structure and softer material.

[@inastaria5075]

Soooo.... Could you wash it in fresh tap water that's been treated with water conditioner? I don't have the ability to have old tank water just sitting around 😅

[@markpurdie7608]

P water cleaning filter fine done it for years quickly its fine each to their own ✌

[@markpurdie7608]

Tap

[@coreytohme9861]

Does rinsing the sponge in the old tank water remove the beneficial bacteria from the sponge?

[@SakYoshi]

can i clean with tap water if i add water conditioner

[@turiipipip1920]

I use a 60 gallon one for a 20 gallon so I can have maximum water clarity and don’t have to clean often.

[@portgasdasce96]

Where can i bug those big objects like sponge Bob's house or big tree or other online

[@anthonyragan2696]

I use both HOBs and sponge filters - in fact, I'm rather an Aquaclear fanboy. Do you have a video on your decision to move away from HOBs?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, I was actually going to explain myself more in this video, but it started getting long. I really like AquaClears too, but decided to switch away because a) my filter once flooded because I forget to clean it, b) beneficial bacteria will stay alive longer on a sponge filter during a power outage since the tank contains more oxygen (and I might not be home to move the HOB filter media into the tank), c) I've had various impeller issues with my AquaClears over the years (despite using a prefilter sponge), and d) I like the surface agitation caused by my sponge filter while still having gentle flow (but I never officially tested the difference in oxygen levels).

[@anthonyragan2696]

@@GirlTalksFish Yep, I've seen the elevator effect: where the media basket rises after the sponges are clogged. Usually happened just as I was sitting down to eat. :/ Do you run CO2? I've wondered if the gas exchange caused by sponge filters' bubbling would gas off the CO2 too quickly.