The Pros & Cons of Sponge Filters

The Pros & Cons of Sponge Filters - Aquarium Filtration 101
We've done many filter unboxings and how to's, which can be found at the playlist link below:
Playlist - • Canister Filter Setups...
If you're interested in any of the filters we frequently use in our aquariums, check out the affiliate links below!
Equipment
- Sponge Filter: geni.us/0ahWfWl
- Sicce Whale 500 Canister - amzn.to/3ugmocB
- FX6 Canister Filter: amzn.to/3dXbW0b
- Sicce Syncra SDC - amzn.to/35yJ0MD
Chemicals/Media
- Chemi-Pure Green - amzn.to/3HAsg51
- Chemi-Pure Blue - amzn.to/3bgsVMd
- Easy Green Fertilizer - geni.us/NAl6lK
- Seachem Purigen - geni.us/d9EFZ
- Seachem Prime: geni.us/iys7T
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme Nice Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[@CichlidBros]

Link to sponge filters: geni.us/0ahWfWl

[@garg4531]

So it sounds to me like they have nothing but pros, only one minor con As perfect as any filter can get; no wonder so many hobbyists use them

[@Spicy_White_Taco]

And being able to use multiple with 1 air pump is a God send let me tell ya. Really helps if you have 2 or 3 tanks stacked over each other

[@CichlidBros]

Yep, ideal for fish rooms/multiple tanks

[@garg4531]

@@Spicy_White_Taco Very true, which is another reason so many fish keepers use them. A lot of them have multiple tanks so having sponge filters is quite practical! Not only they super cheap and easy to set up and to clean, but it's possible to run multiple tanks with them using just only one or a few air pumps

[@hardybryan]

I mean, they provide the least mechanical filtration of any type of normal filter set up and they can't usefully be adjusted to run chemical, unless you get the kind with the bio chambers in them. I know a lot of people don't run chemical filtration, but it's not the worst option to have. Sponges do a good job at bio filtration and are extremely cost effective. UGFs and box filters can be run just as cheaply while offering superior mechanical filtration and chemical filtration options in the latter. All this is to say, sponges are very good. Perfect is a stretch. Every tank has it's own demands.

[@garg4531]

@@hardybryan Ahh that’s true

[@juliaheinritz3264]

I love having an extra sponge filter to help cycle a new tank..works for me😊

[@mrdemocracy7106]

I have a main external canister filter and a sponge filter in opposite end corner as as a "secondary filter" in my 200Litre tank. Works fine

[@tolovly14]

I have one in my 10 gallon tank along with my carbon filter. Keeps my tank clean longer. 😊

[@themermaidslairaquatics]

Love my sponge filters and canisters

[@GarrettDaBarber]

I have an extra sponge filter always running in my 30 gal so when i do set uo new tanks and aquatic environments like u said cycles almost instantly

[@scisher3294]

So basically, if you are a utilitarian and don’t care about aesthetics, then sponge filter is 100% Pros. Got it 😎

[@CichlidBros]

Yeah but who doesn’t care about how their tank looks?

[@scisher3294]

@@CichlidBros Utilitarians…. 😏. If it needs an aesthetic… then the fish will get “aquatic steam punk aesthetic” 😋

[@Freedom_Fighter72]

Im done with HOB, I threw it in the trash when it wouldn't start after priming it....had to swap with another HOB, but I'm buying more sponge filters tomorrow to replace it

[@lukeclarke1068]

Back when I had multiple tanks I had sponges in everything from beta tanks to 180 gallon gold fish tanks.

[@20_YEYO_01]

I just got one it’s my first ever sponge filter a connected it and it felt too easy idk if it’s working 😅😅

[@dnoaf]

You could make a diy volcano on top of it to hide it

[@bea-mu1yj]

how loud are they?

[@CichlidBros]

Air pump can be, also bubbles coming up is noisy

[@hey5421]

@@CichlidBros i have 2 goldfishes and they are in a 40 ltr tub rn if i buy sponge filter will i need an air pump or not ?

[@ling1255]

​@@hey5421Yes, you need an Air pump to use sponge filter. Have you bought it?

[@cendergaming3088]

Filters are not the prettiest but you have to have them

[@apdroidgeek1737]

you could use canister filter to hide the filter all together

[@fagan4119]

Another con is you can't overstock your tank with a sponge filter.

[@Earthsbounty]

I wouldn't recommend cleaning it since it will house good bacteria

[@CichlidBros]

Just use tank water

[@haruanimations6576]

what most people do is just squeeze the sponge inside a bag filled with some tank water that they took out earlier for water changes, no real way of removing the beneficial bacteria!

[@apdroidgeek1737]

im pretty sure the bacteria clings to the sponge the issue is killing them with chlorine which can be solve by just using tank water or dechlorinated tap

[@HindiRapGuru]

There is NO con of Sponge Filter!

[@CichlidBros]

Ha, there certainly are … just sayin

[@apdroidgeek1737]

its bulky and unsightly, not to mention air pumps cost as much as internal filter.