Sponge filters

[Lkittredge]

Curious how many people that have been keeping CRS for a longer period of time (say a year or more) use just a sponge filter. Currently that is all I am using and after several months it is going well. I don't plan on changing it under the "if it ain't broke don't fix it philosophy" but curious if there are some pitfalls people encountered that I should keep my eye on.

[rodcuda]

You need to replace the sponge now and then as it will become plugged up and less efficient. I run them with air and with powerheads and I can tell with the powerhead when they are getting plugged. But of course I would expect it to happen faster with the powerhead.

[somewhatshocked]

No need to replace sponge filters unless they fall apart.

Just squeeze them out several times in some old tank water during water change.

I've kept Crystals with just sponges for several years.

[GeToChKn]

I'm doing CRS in just a hamburg matten filter, just a big sponge filter wall.

[Lkittredge]

Appreciate the replies. It is good confirmation to hear from people who are having success with just sponge filters over a longer period of time.

[Fdsh5]

2 years with only sponge filters. No problems. Just rinse them in old tank water once in while and that's all you need to do. I have 2 in my 20 gallon and I clean 1 of the every 2/3 weeks and alternate back and forth.

[Hmoobthor]

i went from HOB > canister > and now to the basic of sponge filter......somehow i find and the shrimp find it more relaxing and comfortable

Much easier for me and i can run multiple tank with just one air pump...i never change mine sponge ....squeeze here and good to go

i find that i am lazy and don't want to do much

[rodcuda]

Mine seem to get plugged up and just squeezing them out even vigorosly does not seem to help for long, but this is on s sponge filter that is on a powerhead so maybe that has something to do with it.

[Soothing Shrimp]

rod, with a heavy bioload this will happen. I had about 2 dozen mystery snails in a 25g holding tank with the sponge filter as a prefilter attached to an HOB. I always knew when the filter needed cleaning once or twice a week because it would appear hour glass shaped from being clogged and the waterfall would slack off.

Shrimp don't produce nearly the same amount of biowaste as the snails did, and I haven't had a problem with the sponges on air..

[somewhatshocked]

Yep, they usually only clog quickly if you've got a bunch of waste in the tank or are overfeeding.

I've got tanks with a few (some with four) double sponge filters and thousands of shrimp in them. Sometimes those filters are good to go for five or six months without a rinse.