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RE: Sponge Filters. Please Help!

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:21:15 GMT

Hey, FastFoward, I already replied to the other topic that we talked a lot on. It has the answer to this question.

RE: Sponge Filters. Please Help!

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:19:28 GMT

I was thinking of doing a hang on back filter, then putting a sponge over the powerhead so no fry can get sucked in, but water will still go in (plus it will catch some debris). And that would still be cheaper than a sponge filter and an air pump and all the stuff it needs. What do you think? :D

RE: Sponge Filters. Please Help!

math-only aquarium — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:00:19 GMT

Hmm, A few things:

First, you do realize that even a rearing tank should be fully cycled, right? This could take weeks or even months. As such, a breeding net is probably a better way to raise your fry for right now (until the 10-gallon cycles).

Also, whether or not you need an air pump depends on the sponge filter. If the sponge filter doesn't have a water pump built into it, then you definitely need something else to power it. No less, the sponge filter should come with an instruction manual. If your sponge filter does need an air pump, then you'll also need airline tubing, a check valve, a bleeder valve or two, some air stone connectors, and air stones. The air stones will need to be replaced at least once a month and most of the other equipment should be exchanged/replaced at least every six months to ensure a proper seal.

As to size, it depends on how deep your aquarium is and its capacity. If your tank is a standard 10-gallon, then the pump you linked first will be ok, but bear in mind that air pumps aren't very efficient--at all.

To save yourself some money in the long run (although it would be more expensive now), I'd suggest that you but a mechanical fast filter instead. Shark, penguin, Odaseya, Aquaclear, and a few other companies make suitable mechanical fast filters for your aquarium. Also, their maintenance only consists of rinsing out the media every now and then (every week or so with cool water as hot or warm water can kill the beneficial bacteria).

No less, if you only have a few breeding females, a breeding net/trap will be a whole lot cheaper and more cost-effective. IMO.

Sponge Filters. Please Help!

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:12:49 GMT

My balloon molly breeding pair will probably be having their first babies soon :D! And we are setting up an old 10 gallon into the nursery. Here is what we are doing:

10 Gallon All Glass - Standard

No Gravel - Bare Bottom

Sponge Filter - Need help, will get into in a second

Floating live plants - We found out from our LFS who will be taking our balloon mollies and plant clippings that the live plants (the types that we have) should float on the top for a while to grow. And as the live plants and the fry grow (and create hiding places for the fry) we can give them to the LFS.

For the sponge filter, I heard that you need an air pump when you use sponge filters, but I am not sure about this so can you help me with that. And if you do, is this a good one: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18279/si1379119/cl0/tetrawhisper10airpump And I was looking on Big Al's and I found four sponge filters that looked good, but it doesn't say what the maximum tank size is, so can you help me there? Here are the links:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19170/si1379356/cl0/lustarhydrospongefilter1

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19170/si1379357/cl0/lustarhydrospongefilter2

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19170/si1379359/cl0/lustarhydrospongefilter4

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19170/si1379360/cl0/lustarhydrospongefilter5

Thanks. :w00t: