Sponge Filters are The Worst Aquarium Filter

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Want to learn more about sponge filters? Check out these videos! Beginners Guide to Sponge Filters: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4K2emBpp7qmf9U The Science Behind Why Cleaning Sponge Filters in Tap Water is OK: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-Yd2unbMZ5fck Sponge Filter vs HOB Filter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/in_ClpSdr654r7s Sponge FIlter vs Matten Filter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-Yd2unbMZ5fck Should You Use a Powerhead on Your Sponge Filter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3mUgXeYeLuUiJY Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

[@cyberghostanon7758]

I hate them so much I have dozens to sneer.

[@awakenedanarchism4202]

i have 6 Aqua-top 250's in my 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank, each one is rated for a 250 gallon tank, they're ran by a Vivosun air pump that's good for 1250 gallons an hour, i clean my sponge filters once every 3 months, i have never had any issues with reduced performance of my sponge filters over time, my water stays crystal clear all the time, I think the key factor with BIG sponge filters is having a powerful air pump

[@thieflack7132]

Watching this as I stare at my aquariums with sponge filters

[@carlosberrios1021]

Lol same scenarios

[@seantorre5153]

Same 2

[@ccmpursuit1]

Lmao, Watching this before I proceed with order

[@Diesel257]

Just an opinion. Try everything.

[@rs8034a]

Um, yeah me too!

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

All my sumps and HOBs have been converted to sponges with some pot scrubbies. I have been in the hobby 60 years and my tanks range from 45 - 500 gallons. Now that I use essentially only sponges, my tanks have never been healthier and easier to maintain. Moral of the story? Let's think about sponge filters more broadly than just the bubbling corner filter.

[@ryuu6958]

Man I'm confused i have a 200 gallon tank , should i buy an air pump and few sponge filters or a build myself a diy filter using water pump ,

[@samanthamorris2207]

What kind of sponges do you use can you post a link

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

@@samanthamorris2207 do a Google search for Swiss tropicals in the US. THE FOAM IS CALLED poret

[@eveningclicks7767]

All up to you. Personally I want to use a matten filter (Hamburg matten filter) in my first aquarium. Idk if I will. Depends what I can find out there for used aquariums that may come with a hob. The hob I would plan to "hot rod" it.

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

​@@ryuu6958one undergravel instead of few sponges

[@sarahwoodring5587]

Them's fightin words! I love sponge filters and run them in all my tanks in addition to HOBs in the larger ones. I don't count on them for filtration as much as for aeration. I think every tank needs air, and running that air through a sponge filter gives me bonus bio filtration. They're also great to have around for quarantine, hospital, or new tanks to jump start the cycle.

[@NihilusTheGreat]

I have the same setup in my 40 breeder. Aquaclear 50 and a medium sponge for extra filtration, movement, and my only source of air.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm sure your setups are great :-)

[@kosys5338]

I don't run air on any of my tanks, the 90, the 125 or the 300 gallon. The plants and running the water through the sump system more than provides enough air in the tanks. It's just a matter of different strokes for different folks. I would agree though that they are great for quarantine and hospital tanks.

[@brendalemay8384]

Same here. I run sponge filters as an addition to my HOB filters on all my tanks for air. Then when I need to set up a hospital or quarantine tank, I can pull one out and I’m off and running.

[@Jbayz]

@@brendalemay8384 same

[@CyprinusCarpioDiem]

Ive been doing this professionally for abour 12 years now, i would VERY MUCH prefer maintaining sponges vs sumps and HOBs.

[@mayerkatz2836]

Why is it better (or easier) to maintain a sponge filter over a HOB?

[@unnie7834]

@@mayerkatz2836 cost. U pay every time u replace filters

[@mayerkatz2836]

@@unnie7834 I don't replace them, I modified them with sponges and bio media, so I basically have the same as a Sponge Filter (and even more) just outside the tank

[@Daveisnowhere.]

Not if you use the tidal HOB.

[@caymankatie]

What about if you lose power? Some hob filters have been known to leak or burn out once power comes back on because they didn’t get primed….. that alone could be a sponge filter

[@fishybusiness2951]

I use sponge filters in all my tanks, breeding tanks especially. I find that if you clean them regularly they are a great choice and I would not use HOBs. They are also amazing for smaller tanks in which many other types of filtration take up too much space or just wouldn’t work. I think they are great for low maintenance aquariums because of their small size and how inexpensive they are compared to HOBs. Great video though, the multifasciatus tank is looking amazing!

[@belkaben1]

Great point made, wholeheartedly agree

[@fishybusiness2951]

Thank you!! I also think a better pump would be a good idea to get better suction.

[@jasonpeculiar]

One great advantage of the sponge filter, for the fishkeeper with multiple tanks, is that you can keep spare sponges going in other mature tanks so you always have cycled filters ready to go when you (inevitably) add another tank or ten. I also like how I can run multiple filters from one pump. This means I'm only using one power outlet and I'm always struggling for outlets anyway. Another advantage of this is that keeping one spare air pump is the same as keeping many spare filters, in terms of the moving, breakable parts.

[@CatFish107]

Well, there you go planning ahead, and thinking of efficient redundancies.

[@GenRN]

Yes, great for impulse fish purchases.

[@Zack.G23]

That’s why I have one. I can just pull it out and have a quarantine tank setup in about 5 minutes

[@melodieeldridge754]

This is what we do. I alwayw have bioballs behind my HOB cartridges and always have extra sponges. I'm never waiting 6 weeks to cycle a tank again.

[@KentuckyGOP-wx9rv]

I have several extra sponge filters resting in other tanks. Instant cycle

[@denniss7805]

I respect your knowledgeable opinion, but I must say. After I modified mine with a Air stone, and using it in a much smaller tank.. The thing is absolutely godsent. But I don’t think I’d use one in a larger tank. I think these sponge filters have a special place in our realm, for sure.

[@xSpaceInvader]

I used two on opposite ends in a 75 with two large tiger oscars and an even larger pleco. Bare tank with a middle piece of drift. All sides panted black expect the front. They didnt stand out as bad in a dark tank designed to look like it was in deep water. I also did the air stone trick with mine. Those Oscars can be monster sized and intelligent for a fish.

[@MelCarter000]

⬅️⬅️⬅️ nervously clicks as I just got a sponge filter in the mail yesterday.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It will work just ifne :-)

[@GoodLifeAquatics]

You’ll like it! I use a HOB and Sponge on all my tanks. I like them both.

[@MelCarter000]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I have a hob, and a sponge filter with 2 sponges. This one suctions to the glass and I really like it so far

[@seankelly6754]

Me too

[@mslbrandon64]

I just got 2 sponge filters today. Ugggg.

[@Outlander929]

I use double, super fine sponge filters in my breeding tanks and i can go for a couple of months between cleans which isn't bad. They start spluttering when clogged and I squeeze them out during the next water change. The super fine ones keep the water really polished and crystal clear. All are powered by a single blower type pump. This set up is super quiet and economical. I've tried a few different hang on backs and just never really liked them tbh. Whatever works for you I suppose : )

[@Icehso140]

I use the relatively clear old water at water changes to rinse my sponge in the bucket. A few minutes of squeezes and most debris is out. Of course with 80 tanks you probably aren't using buckets for water changes. I drill out the center so I can pass the air hose into the tube and place an air stone at the bottom to make it quieter. I hide mine behind a planting and learn to ignore it. Good video again.

[@FatherFish]

just to be cantankerous I published a vid after yours praising sponge filters. Keeping it lively.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Awesome! :-)

[@FatherFish]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Mind if I link? Will return the favor.

[@Zachary360Games]

I keep sponges in my tanks even the one that has a canister because if something happens with that canister I always want there to be a backup on the ready

[@kilrkitty0818]

Also, good if you need to move the sponge to a quarentine tank to cycle it quickly.

[@robertmajka9]

Exactly

[@survivalofthefishiest]

I have a HOB and Sponge in every tank. This way if one fails, or needs replaced, I'm not losing my cycle.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

A couple of decades ago, I got some sick fish from a breeder/importer friend of mine. These fish brought in some very virulent new diseases, mostly from Africa. There was literally no way to save the fish, most went fast, but they left behind aquariums that remained deadly to anything I put into them, plus the risk of spreading the diseases around my fish room were simply too high to play with these infected aquariums. Chemically steralizing the tanks and gravel was pretty easy, but my sponge filters tended to dissolve in harsh disinfectant chamicals. At the time most of my sponge filters were new or almost new... What a waste! I had some old box filters laying around from back when I was a kid in the 1960's, I upgraded the charcoal to lava rock, for their anerobic benefits breaking down nitrates and substituted polyfill for the glass wool... and they worked a treat! Lava rock was dirt cheap at the garden center and polyfill is also dirt cheap and is as easy to replace as a cartridge in a hang on back filter. Moar of the most advanced hobbiests also use box filters with gravel in them. For special circumstances I can add charcoal or any other special media to a box/corner filter as needed... and box filters are easy to steralize in bleach. peroxide or alcohol. Box filters also don't eat fry. Box/corner filters are cheap, easier to clean, don't eat fry, easy to steralize, also run on air and are light years more flexible than sponge filters. And best of all, you can see exactly when they need to be cleaned by just looking into your tank. As a seriious 50+ year hobbiest, breeder and published fish author, I intend no disrespect to folks that use sponge filters, (they do work) but if you are serious about keeping and breeding tropical fish and you are dealing with nitrates by changing water anyway... ditch the sponges and upgrade to box filters when you replace your sponge filters. You will never go back.

[@qalpitor3458]

Yes idk why box filters r less popular.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@qalpitor3458 Mostly because all of the "influencers" are sponsored or have their own gigs selling something new and improved to hobbyists that don't know better. "If you want to keep fish all you need to do is buy something expensive from me or my sponsor."

[@Pray4Mojo1]

Box filters are very versatile, I'm hlad someone mentioned them.

[@ianrawlings2546]

I can't find box filters for love nor money.

[@stangace20]

I still prefer them to HOB filters, especially in tanks with fry/shrimp. They're also really not that hard to maintain, just pull them up by the air hose, disconnect hose, rinse in sink, reattach hose and drop back down (2 minute job)

[@BigShrimpin416]

I agree! I have shrimp and don’t like the HOB filters. Saying they’re the worst filters to use is a bit dramatic 🤣 I have no issues with mine and you can hide it well with your plants and wood!

[@craftwanderer8802]

won't rinsing in sink kill off the bacteria??

[@melodieeldridge754]

​@@craftwanderer8802we swish/squish ours in water change water.

[@MIKoenig44]

Very well said: they're the worst and the best.....lol. IMO, they only belong in fish rooms and quarantine tanks. Always love the content!

[@jennifermartin506]

Do I detect a little sarcasm? Lol.The hardest thing for me is is to take all the info that is out there and decide what is best. I think I finally have my tank set up and established to the point that it I requires very little maintenance. I narrowed it down to only watching a few fish keepers. You and Joanne are my top. Appreciate all the info you share. Im in for the relaxation and enjoyment. Thank you.

[@anthonygaitan3901]

I feel like the negatives you brought up are pretty subjective, I noticed most of the points are regarding the higher degree maintenance than other filters, but many people including myself really don’t mind having to do all that. I have carpet in my room and can’t necessarily just pull filter floss out of my HOBs without getting fish doodies all over the place, I usually have to rip the entire filter off the back and take that into the bathroom. I feel like a good point to have made at the end along with having a proper set up would be theres a smaller margin for error when you start to get lazy lol (which happens to the best of us)

[@anthonygaitan3901]

For me, my absolute biggest plus with sponge filters is that they can’t possibly cause a leak. Ive had leaks from an Aquaclear and a Fluval 207. Stinky bedroom for quite some time.

[@linjasonlin]

and made the title like click bait...really disappointed in this video

[@anthonygaitan3901]

Jason Lin Thats just how the algorithm works and the way the game is played when you’re a youtuber. Honestly no big deal.

[@bullythebooks]

@@linjasonlin Don't really see how it's clickbait. He brought up a lot of positives and negatives and made the conclusion they are technically the worst kind of filter but there are still reasons to use them. What do you expect?

[@Sheikyerbouti8]

@@bullythebooks It's clickbait because he knows it's not true. Anyone with any real experience knows its not true. It's a manipulative, intentionally inflamatory statement. He even admits that he couldn't have his fishroom or youtube channel without them. He made this video because he KNEW that people would disagree with what was so very clearly not true, and that would provoke people to click on the video. He didn't make this video because he actually believes what he is saying. In this instance, he is not trying to convey truthful information. He is trying to get clicks, and hey, it worked on me, but at the cost of his credibility, to anyone paying attention anyway.

[@feliciaheater5548]

Am I crazy?! This was a satirical review right? Hence the flashbacks at the end where jason points out that they’re literally the best. Idk. I have course sponges in most of my tanks and seriously considering changing over to finer sponges because like Jason said, they don’t hold the funk in when you try to take them out and clean them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They represent the duality of man. Haha - sometimes good and sometimes bad!

[@reefhugger100]

I use both a hob and a sponge filter. The hob does a great job of cleaning the water and the sponge helps me know the bacteria population will be maintained. The sponge doesn't need to be very big this way, and I have an immediate filter for a good quarantine tank when needed. This is an idea I got from Irene at Girl Talks Fish.

[@reefhugger100]

@@High_Octane I just changed out the hob on my 20 gal. from a cartridge filter to an Aquaclear. I'm impressed at how quiet it is, and I like the flow adjustment. I am a little intimidated on how to maintain it though. I put in very coarse filter material first, then less coarse, then a thin sheet of fine, and a small pack of bio-rings. What do you think? How often do you clean and/or replace the materials?

[@reefhugger100]

@@High_Octane Thanks so much for the information. I have an aquaclear for my 55 gal. I'll get set up today. Following your advice I made a coarse filter for the intake on my small aquarium . I have some tiny rasboras in there, having that intake filter will also help keep them safe.

[@BenOchart]

Quite the love-hate relationship you have going with sponge filters, LOL! I agree, they are an eyesore, and if you hide them too well they can't do their job. But when you're running a zillion tanks, it's the only way to go (and you can always run an HOB or a can on your 2 or 3 show tanks). BTW, those albino heckelii are NUTS! Thanks Jason.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! :-)

[@johnwood738]

If they are bad I don’t want to be good.

[@NEnigma777]

Finally! Someone that is not pro sponge filters! I HATE sponge filters for all the reasons you listed!

[@bryanooi8815]

Jason you are right. I am big believer of canister filter and using one for more than 10 years. But recently I start buying a sponge filters as back up and main filter for smaller Betta tank. They are so versatile that no body beat it.

[@CrowsRoots]

25 tanks from 5 to 175, every one uses sponge filters. Most experienced aquarists I know, don't just pull floss out of their hob, they also rinse and return it to the filter after rinsing, which also gets yiur hands wet and waste time. If you can't hide a sponge with aquascaping, you're doing it wrong. 👎

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think I might remove a HOB filter from the back of a tank once every couple years? :-)

[@Ladywhiteraven128]

I and my houseplants don't mind the cleaning aspect of the sponge filter. All of the "gunk" makes my plants happy and grow nicely ❤️

[@mostlymowiewowie2544]

Have a sponge filter in every tank even though they all have hang on back or canister filters. Great to have a back up filter running incase one breaks which happened once when on holiday ofcourse!

[@LadyandtheScamp4Ever]

lol I actually use panty hose instead of a plastic bag to keep the gunk from dumping back into the tank. Works awesome! I use knee highs for my HOB pre filters, just pull the knee high over it while it’s still in place on the filter intake tube ❤️❤️

[@irvingcobian]

Maybe I'm just different but I've never had an issue with seeing a filter in the Aquarium. I made my own filters from pvc that work ok and I'm currently working on another filter that will hopefully work better

[@johnnycruz4407]

I run sponge filters in all my 12 aquariums ranging from 90 to 3 gallons, primarily for bio filtration.

[@TLCole425]

I have a very expensive sump system for my 150 gallon tank. In operation mode it runs 55 gallons and holds 75 gallons total. I still run 2 large sponge filters in the tank. These are there for if/when the power goes out and I need to keep filtration going with the small battery operated (USB) air pumps. They will have the beneficial bacteria already built up and should help keep the tank going. Do I need them during normal operation, nope. But they are back up plus they provide the surface breaking needed to help the air circulate into the water allowing gas exchanges.

[@adamcenteno6155]

I agree with you. I have a regular filter but I use it when I’m changing my water to keep some oxygen in the plastic container. Also this guy talks about pet who don’t clean the sponge for a long time.

[@Matthew_Does_To_Many_Things]

I like how Jason looks so proud in the thumbnail saying sponge filters are the worst type of Filtration 😂

[@JamesElmquist]

My rule for sponge filters is hook them up to a 60 or a 100 gallon air pump min and you’ll be fine

[@100bgeagle]

For commercial guys, I see the application being used, but for my house it's cannister filters!! Cleaner, clear water! Also first video I've seen with a both sides review. I appreciate the honesty.

[@deanmorier5353]

I have come to enjoy your sense of humor more and more over time. I use sponge filters, HOB sometimes, and cannister filters. The fact I can easily run three small tanks on one air pump (Eheim is pretty quiet btw) is important when you consider energy costs. The cost of a sponge filter is lower than other filters so they lose on that front as well :).

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Appreciate you being here!

[@scrimmo]

Nope. Sponge filters ruined my first ever experience with keeping tropical fish.

[@pjanoo6973]

Sponge filters are amazing but don't expect them to do it all. A HOB and a sponge is an amazing combo

[@JustinLowmaster]

New to hobby, but I recently got a sponge filter ... it's got 2 smaller sponges and you can pull them right off the top, so easier to clean than the type you show in the video. I have a HOB as well, leaving it on until the sponge has had time to get up and going. Pretty full tank (fish and snails) and debating if I should keep both now ...

[@gasbike100mpg]

great vid. they are a must for me, i go away for 3 weeks at a time, i clean them before leaving etc. they are good for several months before getting clogged, so that covers me when i am away. HOB may or may not clog up, and if they do, they may leak if not properly set on an angle. thanks.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

Sponge filters are great, but they are not a miracle tool. They’re just a tool and every job needs the right tool. If you need water polishing or higher flow rates, get a hang on back or better. If you need aeration and biological filtration, a sponge is a great first step.

[@plushpossum]

Praise the lord!!!! Somebody finally said it!!! I have NEVER liked sponge filters. EVER. I keep one in my 125 just to have it in case I need BB for a hospital/quarantine tank, but it isn't worth a crap for cleaning! THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@kidoctane]

The vital question is.....is it "sponge worthy" ?

[@GenRN]

Elaine says yes.

[@johnjwedrall4290]

sponge filters .... i use them in my 10 gallon and my 29 long. I love em 😊 👍👍

[@Elrond_Hubbard1]

As a thirty-five year aquarium enthusiast and sponge filter advocate, reading the title got my cackles up for sure. But I have to say, you ain't lying! Also, I guess beauty is subjective as I kinda like the look, especially the sound of the bubbles. Brings me back to the old days when mom and pop petshops were everywhere and you'd walk in and hear that beautiful sound of all those tanks running UGF's. And they certainly do go bad, especially when you have plecos knawing on them. I guess it all comes down to what makes you happy. I for one love the maintenance aspect of keeping fish so I'm not too bothered by the trouble. I also run power heads on my sponges in my big tanks, they do very well cleaning the debris, but need cleaning that more often. Take care and thanks for what you do!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for being here!

[@chrisstephens9113]

I love them in my breeding tanks. The fry absolutely love to feed off them. Yes they are ugly but they really do have an important place in my fish room.

[@audrameyer9558]

I have at least one sponge filter in every aquarium. I currently have 34 tanks in my fishroom and other rooms in my house 😳🤪🥰

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep - you need them just like me :-)

[@siddharthrm6385]

you don't have a fishroom , but have a fish house instead . wow 34 tanks , what's the fish you keep ?

[@audrameyer9558]

I have many different set ups. I have a few female Betta sororities, shell dweller community, Krebensis community, giant Gouramis, many types of Puffers, Killies, live bearer community...oh goodness...so many more 🥰

[@Jbayz]

@@audrameyer9558 you're wasting all that with no videos. Make a channel!

[@GenRN]

I wanna come live with you. I only have 6 tanks. 😜😂

[@strikeout77777]

I used to use hob filters and sponge filters, but now I just use my guppy grass as my bio filtration and my tanks are just as clear as when I used hob filters.

[@American-Jello]

I use a sponge/HOB combination in every tank. That's been the winning combo for me for years.

[@QuinnMallory-od1hw]

I use canister filters, ok the technology is for a small pool but really is the only way to house enough bacteria to get a well cycled tank, now if I was breeding then the spong filter is the only option. Or a fry incubator maybe.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Having used sponges, hang on back, and canister filters I have to say that my #1 is the hang on back. For me it strikes the best compromise between filtering capacity and easy of upkeep. Now if I had a livebearer breeding tank I would almost certainly go with sponge filters. Same if I had a bunch of tanks. That way I could just plumb in an air system and tap in and run all of the filters off of a single air pump. another advantage to the sponge filters is that you don't have that filter hanging on the back meaning you can slide the tank back a few more inches to free up floor space.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If I only had a few tanks HOB for me too!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

I've only ever used sponge filters when I was growing small fry in a seperate tank

[@Firestorm637]

I have owned fish tanks, fresh and salt, for 50 years. I have used many filter types. Sponge filters offer the weakest suction and only catch things nearby. Your substrate houses more beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria increase or decrease dependent on fish load/feeding/elimination. Hang on filters aerate/circulate/filter you tank more than sponge filters. Easy to service and visualize when to clean especially with decreased outflow. I really enjoys sumps. Use an old aquarium with a few pieces of pvc. Store bought overflow or diy. Powerful ac or dc pumps. Huge mechanical filter socks with easy visualization and cleaning with a hose. Hide all your heaters, biomedia in the sump. Higher circulation with sumps or use of circulation pumps in main tank. Biggest deal with sumps is the added water volume. 40 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. That is a big deal! Enjoy your videos

[@sq33qs]

A sponge filter is one of the few products where it does such an outstanding job at what it does that i have come to not mind the look of them anymore. It's like the (Toyota)Camry, not pretty but works so well, you actually don't mind how it looks, as long as it does its function.

[@Jbayz]

Yeah I'm all for function over looks. I don't use substrate in my tanks either because it's just easier to clean that way.

[@2tardi]

Off topic: your shell dweller tank is awesome! Sponge filter: you forgot one thing. Noise! My pump makes no noise (36db). But the bubbles out of the filter is loud (>46db). I use them just in quarantine tanks. For aquascapes: I have just put mosses all over (with small wood /roots). Unfortunately then my husband banned them due to noise.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you - good points!

[@TheFishNerd]

The walking monolog! Taking this 90s boy back! Love the video! Very well done!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Too funny !

[@EpicConspiracy]

I’ve always hated sponge filters. Pain is A to clean etc. but I really love the Heiger double sponge filter with the media in bottom. Very slick and easy to clean. I use them only tanks with HOBs that floss my water clean. Just using HOB for bacteria.

[@BigJeec]

This is what I'm using for my 20 gal hex (24'' tall) tank. Planted, shrimps cherry, amano, blue diamond. Nerite snails and also produces delicious pond snails for fishes in other tanks. Can't think of better filter for that setup. Oh and..I'm gonna say it. I find it beautiful :P

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You can find them beautiful 😀

[@jessicaklimekalexander3679]

I find them nice to look at as well, mine have shrimp and snails always on them and I love watching them scavenge the little bits 🙂

[@BigJeec]

@@jessicaklimekalexander3679 Same here, they are so beneficial for those critters that I think that's what makes me find them pretty.

[@jessicaklimekalexander3679]

Great video 😆 for me, sponge filters (that you got me into) are the best, I have lots of inverts that love hanging out on them eating all the little bits, and they're completely internal with air stones so they're quiet in the house, I use the coarse ones from Aquarium Co-op and they are great, they are weighted so they don't float and they haven't clogged yet, I used to use internal submerged filters and I had a filter failure one day that we think had happened days earlier, thankfully all of my fishies and inverts were ok but now I really like being able to look across the room and see that my filters are running. I'm about to set up more tanks and I'm definitely sold on sponge filters 🙂

[@gallardo20000]

sponge filters are that classic filter you find in the average fish tank or breeder tank. HOB filters give much better mechanical filtration though, their filter floss and media capacity is great so you really can’t beat them, I run both setups in my tanks... at the very least the sponge filter is oxygenating the water while the HOB is actively “sifting” the water for loose particles is the way I see it...

[@notsure9802]

Nicely played Sir 😉 I love sponge filters. I would need a little more for an Oscar but for general fish and especially breeding and nano fish they really are the best

[@freefallin7304]

I have a 21 gallon long tank, I purchased the Aquaneat Filter system on Amaz for under 10. I had a 10 gallon tank with a Whisper, 2 very small goldfish, I adopted/kidnapped from my employer. No one was willing to properly care for them, so I took it upon myself to give them a proper home. It has two sponges, they are spiked on the filter tubes. It's an upside down T system. The sponges set upon the stand, no worries of it sitting on substrate. Hose and Air pump was all I needed for the full system. The center tube for air flow, has a telescope top, bubbling away. I had freshwater aquariums for 18 years in the past. My one goldfish lived 15 yrs. Had I had a Sponge Filter, oh how much easier life would have been. He grew huge, he alone in a 46 gallon tank. Always doing water changes, all the filter systems, cartridges, bio-wheels, carbon, on and on. ( $$$$$) The Two Goldies I have now have tripled in size in their new 21 gallon tank. They are loving the Sponge system. I haven't had it for long, 3wks. I just cleaned the sponges. It took a whole 10 mins. Their water near clear even so. Boy those sponges hold a lot of debris. It was SO EASY. I captured the Sponge system in a large zip lock with the tank water. Gave them some good squeezes, the debris fell into the bag. Dumped the dirty water, replaced more tank water, squeezed, repeat. Water in the bag clear, I replaced the Sponge filter back in the tank. Done. I had a Whisper running, 20 gallon same time. I removed it from the tank. The filter needed replacing. I chose to remove it completely just now binge watching " Sponge vs Hang Filter Systems" My boys are swimming like champs. The water is clearing, not that it was bad. This Aquaneat System is for up to 55 gallons. The other size smaller up to 10 gal, there are others sold, near identical, 20 gallon, being that the Kids eat a lot of shrimp, algae etc, I went with the bigger. A ton of space opened up. They're zooming around, playing with each other. They so are Best Buddies. I am going to watch the tank closely. Knowing the capability, the solid air flow, the clarity of the tank water improved tri-fold with the Sponge System. I think we're going to be okay without the Whisper.

[@ZacharyDarkes]

I have two sponge filters because I only have two tanks. I also had a hang-on when I first started I just found that the hang-on was more expensive to maintain so I switched to sponge filters and I haven't regretted it.

[@FishyBizzAquatics]

GREAT JOB...LOVE THE RECAP..TURNING IT INTO A "YEA..WE KINDA NEED EM" 👍🏽👍🏽

[@ericsantiago8302]

I'm a newbie here and this is one of my favorite sponge filter videos 😂😂😂 Thanks for your advice 👍🏼

[@ratsaremagic]

The best fish keeping video ever - love the way you give the manufacturers a run for their money - you are right! It is the most ugliest thing in a tank. Looks like a floor mop or enema device. Cant understand that they can't design a more modern version. Lots of people are going to hate you for this - but I AM SUBSCRIBING!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Appreciate you being here!

[@Gk22632]

You can just gravel vacuum a sponge filter while it’s in the tank to clean it, plus they’re perfect for cycling a new tank set up

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That will remove some detritus from the surface of the filter but usually doesn’t remove the stuff inside the filter (which clogs it).

[@sergeiz.5815]

Just got some guppies ordered online. Amazing tiny fish so colorful. Awesome 👍 sure are tiny 😉

[@djneoda1535]

GREAT VIDEO If you were running a rack of ONLY 3, 20 longs, lightly stocked would you recommend sponge filters, dual sponge filters or HOB? Peace ✌️

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would probably run three HOB - probably three Seachem Tidal 35

[@NationWideAquatics]

One of the greatest filters for those with a fish room but all good points. Another downfall I would like to highlight is that if your an avid pleco enthusiast and you like Pseudacanthicus (the Cactus family) you will likely end up with bits of sponge all over the aquarium. This genus regurly feasts on freshwater sponges in South America and those teeth are well equipped to tear them up and throw chunks of sponge through out the aquarium (and quickly at that) . Good video !

[@sol5916]

It's a great filter for keeping aquatic life alive at nearly no cost. But it doesn't clean anything. It's a mechanical cripple. Unless you have a large fish room, it really is the worst choice of filters imo.

[@Gendonramsay]

I love the concept of this video 😁

[@keepamerica2astrong280]

Hey J "Same sucking capacity as a 5 year old Walmart vac" Love it and so true...Tidal 110s for me..

[@dusk1947]

Great video. And a good pro & con discussion. Personally I don't have a preference. Sponge filters, HOB, and canisters all provide the same filtration at different speeds and scales. So, it's user preference. Your will get aerobic nitrification and basic mechanical filtration from all 3 options. I personally favor more complex filtration methods, that are more expensive, harder to scale, and require effort to set up. But with only one system; it's a one-time purchase, I only set it up once, and I have options for automation, testing and monitor probes, media reactors, anoxic zones, refuge zones for invertebrates or specialty organisms, and I keep not only my filter but also my heater out of the display... What do I prefer: A Sump.

[@ricardodeleon5065]

I'm new to fish keeping but the fist sponge filters I own are aquarium coop filters. I have a 20g tall andba 36g bow front and I have a hob plus 2 sponge filters from the coop in both of my aquariums. I know they are ugly and take space but I feel safe in case the hob stops working because I have the aquarium co -op filters with a never clog stone running on a nano USB air pump. I know this setup only works 4 people with not that many thanks but so far has work for me.

[@bysab2741]

I've had all sorts of filters during my 18 years of fish keeping, Canisters, HOB, Internal and sponge. I have had major problems with leaks on Canisters, HOB motor burns out when the power goes out and then comes back on, Internals not to many problems at all. Sponges not one issue what so ever. I replace my pump once every 2 years. Love the Sponges and always will.

[@cosmoplakat9549]

Give me sponge filters or give me....oh, just give me sponge filters! Some tanks also could use a HOB but all of mine have had a sponge. Just the peace of mind in case of an extended power outage makes it worthwhile to me.

[@marthanewsome6375]

I hate hobs, but use sponge filters attached as pre-filters to my canister filters, on my discus breeding tank I have two. It takes me 10 minutes to clean a canister and the sponge filter attached to it. I have a heavy duty air pump, but only use it for aeration on my tanks. But with any filters it all comes down to not over feeding and water changes. On my planted tanks I skip over the sponge for a fine stainless steel mesh filter guard as they look so much better. BTW I only clean my canisters on my planted tanks 4 times a year. On my discus once a month. How many times a year would you have to clean a HOB? I have used them and had to clean them weekly or at least every 2 weeks. Sponges are alright on pre-filters or a supplement filter, but not as main filtration, except if it is a large hamburg matten hooked up to a small pump rather than using air. I find air just does not pull the water through enough for my liking.

[@arthurschamne]

I have been running 2 of the medium Aqqa sponge filters in my 40 for over a year and they work great, my goal with this tank is once the small fish have lived their life in there and only 2 to 3" fish remain I will be getting an African butterflyfish. So with the Aqqa sponge filters I didn't have to modify the plastic piece of the Versa top, which leave no gaps for the butterflyfish to jump out of the tank, and therefore sponge filters work really well for me.

[@AC3HT]

Sponge filters are "ok". I consider them an addendum filter, meaning "in addition to" a more substantial filter in the aquarium. Personally, the water has to be looking very clean for me. Have run sponge filters along with a powerhead with filter floss or even an HOB, with good success. 👍📺😎

[@Tinsletooth]

THIS Was reading all of the comments and they are all comparing filters like it’s either one or the other. I have a HOB and a sponge filter both work together to keep the tank clean. It’s great for the problem areas of the tank.

[@johnwood738]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, give me my sponge filters or give me death.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's commitment right there :-)

[@Sheikyerbouti8]

A sponge filter is the BEST filter out there for your money, hands down. I buy them in bulk for less than 2 dollars each. I've got one air pump running 16 of these in my breeding room. Zero motor driven filters in that room. All filters need to be maintained. Hang on backs are NOT easier to maintain. My aquascapes all have sponge filters, and you can't see them, and other than sump systems, all filters have some ugly component in the aquarium. All set ups benefit from sponge filters, from hard African rift lake water to super low pH blackwater setups. I have 41 years of fishkeeping experience. Currently breeding in that fishroom, silvertip tetras, golden wonder Panchax, Clown killis, and Apistpgrama borelli. I've bred more species than I can remember over the years. 100% using sponge filters. Not only do they keep ammonia spikes from killing tiny chemical-sensitive fry, they also feed infusoria to the fry. Honestly, its the only kind of filter I can't do without. I also use them in my big display tanks running fluval fx6s, just as an emergency backup, and to help keep nitrogen levels consistent when I have to tear open the canisters to clean them out. Sponge filters are the best filters.

[@TheParallelSound]

You mention hang on back filters being nice cause it's 1/3 the time but they also can clog and leak and then water is spilling outside your tank onto your floor. You don't have that issue with sponge filters. Lot of this is opinionated but I do understand people's dislikes.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Absolutely!

[@ndbyers23]

I have had leaks many times and always used AquaClear.

[@FoisyAquatics]

The title and opener are hot takes for sure! *Cue the Stephen A. Smith references.* That being said, after listening to the whole video, I agree with pretty much everything you said. They are very ugly, but the large bio surface, big energy savings, and lack of maintenance (depending on bio load) makes them arguably the most reliable and dependable filtration. I don’t think they can ever be used as the primary system to keep your tank clean. They do not do well with eating up the detritus if it is produced at a rate faster than the tank and sponges can break it down. I run two large sponge filters in all my tanks, and all but the fry tanks are nearly spotless and the sponges do so well at breaking down waste that I haven’t had to squeeze most of them out ever since setting them up a year ago. And I run no other filters. What’s the catch? I change 50-70% of the water weekly on an auto drip system, feed only what will be eating within a few hours, and stock tanks appropriately for the bio load ability that size tank can handle. No plants, no substrate, and the lights are always off. In my case, sponges are a godsend and the only filter I need!

[@kpNov23]

No plants, no substrate, no lights... Why, may I ask?

[@FoisyAquatics]

@@kpNov23 I breed plecos, and while those things may look nice, none of them are needed or provide and serious benefits in the breeding process

[@loavesfishes6268]

Like others have said I keep large pore sponge filters in my tanks because we have recurring power shut offs in our area. I run battery back up air pumps to keep them going until I can get home and get the generator running and start the HOB’s and canisters going again. We don’t run the generator at night, so they come into play then also. I think it keeps the biological filtration stable and causes less stress on the fish.

[@caylenduke939]

I am so appreciative of this video! I've been using HOB on my three small tanks (5, 10, 20), but I've been seeing so many people like yourselves use sponge filters. This provided some really valuable context for me! Cheers!

[@ZaneofAustin]

i would love someone to make a hybrid filter. the time it takes to clean a filter is irrelevant for me, as i only have 4 tanks. however i would love to see a design that combines the multiple types of filtration into one superfilter. it's like an HoB, with a swirl filter, with a sponge filter in the sump, with biomedia, with some kind of spillway filter. it just sounds like that's where the industry is heading.

[@edyoung6573]

LOL Fantastic Video!!! They serve there purpose!! Needed for Fish Stores, wouldn't but it in my home Aquarium though! Love seeing them in fish stores instead of one giant sump pump filter running all there tanks due to disease. They serve there purpose for Fish stores. Love you Channel, just subscribed.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for being here!

[@fishfriendzy2912]

Haha great video! I have 18 tanks and all have Sponge filters on them.. Not a lot of aqua-scape though except my two displays, and they have a canister filter no sponge filters just because they are too large and the sponge filters typically don't come in large enough sizes for big tanks.. However every tank aside those has sponge filters. They are messy but I don't think I would ever go back to HOB because sometimes I forget to change the cartridge and that leads to over flowing and a watery mess since each bio-load is different, so sponge filters make for an easy change, I can see when it needs to be cleaned out rather than checking on the HOB every week to hope it doesn't overflow. But everyone's fish keeping style and preferences are different and what works for them may not work for me! Side note*** I think sponge filters cycle an aquarium faster than a HOB as well, I had a tank cycled in 5 days (30g) when I added a sponge filter when transferring the tank from a HOB, and had my 150G stock tank cycled in roughly 2 weeks if that (with 2 80G sponge filters) Then my display cycled in 4mos with a canister filter! Definitely hold a better environment for BB :) Awesome video and very informal! Love your videos, huge fan!

[@ndbyers23]

@fish friendzy are you using a sponge filter from an established tank or a new sponge filter?

[@mcaquatics3143]

Out of the 26 tanks that we have, what's not running either under gravel, or hang on backs, we run sponge filters, some we run a combo of hob and sponge, every tank from our 5s to our 240s , no canisters here, ugf, hob or sponge, with the exception of one running a diatamatious earth filter.

[@brandonhoffman6608]

Never ran a sponge filter but run an undergravel with a hang on back. Undergravel for biological and hang on back for mechanical. I dont understand why undergravels get all the negative feedback. They work great.

[@abra3cadabra3]

Sponge filters are a must for me. You didn't mention the #1 kiss of death for a HOB filter. If the power goes out, and the HOB runs dry, then the power comes back on and you're not around to notice this fiasco, then you have a dry motor burning itself out. End of story. If that scenario happens with a sponge filter, with a one-way valve in the line, then it comes right back on when the power is restored. Also, sponge filters, as you mentioned, aren't going to suck up anything you don't want sucked up, like little baby fishies, etc... So, for me, it's sponge filters all the way.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

At this point I only recommend HOB filters with motors that are in the water - that solves the priming issue.

[@laszloszocs7477]

well i do agree with all you said but in my opinion the sponge with a powerhead is really good at mechanical and biological filtration although you do need to oversize the sponge and it does look ugly but if you are breading fish and dont do it on a larger scale and you hate the noise the airpump makes they are still the best option . i do have all types hob sponge internal and canister they all have theyr uses but sponge filter is still the easiest to maintain out of all of them :D

[@Risran]

Great video as always! I've never used one, and probably never will.

[@wellard1221]

I have sponge filters for all my tanks plus a couple tiny hang on the backs for added filtration for two of the 16 tanks I have and I love them. For me it’s the electric less chords plugged in. I was struggling with the outlets for all the heaters and hob and light and then air stone. Side note. I don’t think they are that ugly. People always go right to how horrible they are. They do take up a lot of space plus you gotta think about the circulation. Still beneficial for me. Two thumbs up for me!

[@tjautocross]

Another great video. This one in particular had great editing that really helped tell the story. Thanks!!

[@marcochavanne]

I like mine. Used a round lid on the hose and a regulator to help diffuse the bubbles. My HOB filters have been unreliable. Eventually they plug up. Switching over to the Hyyger style sponge filters in all my tanks now. You can adjust the angle of the outlet and the sponges so they are easier to hide. If they have two sponges you can pull an old one off to seed a new tank and pop a new one on without crashing the cycle. Im still new to the hobby but the pros far outweigh the cons for me.

[@gradualpull2171]

I only use a sponge filter for the opposite end of whatever current is up. It works mainly to break up and supply another current where the water doesn't cycle easily, corners, behind rock shelves and such. They're a good buffer for tank health. It will cumulatively benefit the ecosystem when there is no dead zones in your tank besides intended cover. Prevent the build up of particles by drawing them to one spot.

[@apss5736]

In general I quite like sponge filters but most arent very good at sucking up that much fish poop and for high flow tanks aren't the best. not to mention that you need an air pump and maybe an air stone which instantly bumps up the cost so overall are mostly best for nano and shrimp tanks

[@readysetawesome]

I just added one of aquarium co-ops sponge filters to my display tank after swearing for months that I would keep all equipment in the sump. It’s tucked in next to the overflow box and hard to notice. Once my swords grow in more, it will be nearly invisible. I couldn’t resist the idea of having battery powered backup filtration at low cost, in case of power outage. A year ago we spent a week without power due to ice storm

[@kosys5338]

I would never use sponge filters on my main tank but they are great for the quarantine tank. Put them in the sump prior to setting up the quarantine tank and your good to go. When it comes to sponge filters they play an important roll in this hobby. I love them for some things and hate them for others, it's just a matter of picking the right tool for the job. When it comes to the quarantine tank they are the right tool for the the job.

[@WILDouglash]

I use a smaller sponge filter as well as a hob since it's basically an upgraded airstone. It sits in the corner behind a large amount of tall crypts so I barely see it at all.