OK what should I do? 10g shrimp-only, quiet?

[oakleyhoma]

Need some help. Setting up my first shrimp-only (RCS) tank, a 10g- no shrimp yet, still need to cycle it. Don't want to put a lot of $ into it, but also don't want to "make my own equipment". Plan for low light, low maintenance system but want the shrimp live/breed well. I have a 20g and 30g (with peaceful tank mates) I can put some overflow adult shrimp in later as needed. I also want a quiet system, as this goes in an upstairs den area I want to be peaceful. Seems that sponge filter is a really good way to go, either with or without a HOB. I plan to get an Aquaclear HOB (either the small 20 or a 50 like I have on my 20g). Yes, I'll put a sponge on the intake. But thinking I also need a sponge filter (for viewing foraging behavior, make the shrimp happy, and perhaps for oxygenation from airstone?). Seems like a pump/air stone combo is best for the sponge vs. a powerhead/sponge combo. I don't have a sponge yet. But I did try a Maxi-jet 400 powerhead and was impressed with it's quiet. I also got a Rena 50 pump but forgot to buy an airstone and just stuck the tubing into the tank- I wasn't impressed with the blurb, blurb noise from bubbling (but of course, with an airstone I expect its a much quieter shrrr, psss sound). More importantly, the diaphragm "buzz" from the Rena pump was audible-- I'd rather skip that noise unless I need to do it (guess I could put the pump in a little styrofoam box to hush it?). I'm rambling, but want to know this:

Do I really need to run an air pump with the sponge, for extra oxygenation? Even if I also have an HOB? The powerhead/sponge setup would be quieter I think. What are the pros/cons? For example, better oxygenation with the pump/stone/sponge, and less sponge-cleaning maintenance, but more noise? Vs. Less oxygenation with powerhead/sponge combo and more frequent sponge maintenance, but more quiet plus more filtration? Or how wise is it to just have an HOB w/sponge on the intake and skip the pump/sponge or powerhead/sponge setup? If pump/sponge/airstone is the way to go, can you suggest pump size (Rena 50? or bigger?) and also the best airstone size/brand/type that fits the sponge (and which sponge brand/type (hydro IV or azoo oxygen plus 6?). If I went with a powerhead/sponge I guess it'd be a Rena pump (50?) with a Maxi-jet ?400? Additional info: I plan 1-2 java fern, moss sidewalls or back (Christmas moss I think), fine substrate no more than 1" deep, probably flourite black sand (unless the small amount of copper in it is known to affect RCS). It'll be 1.6 wpg and fairly low temperature to help with oxygen saturation. I realize I could also put the airstone/sponge on a timer to to bump up oxygen at night, but keep more CO2 in there daytime for the plants... Thanks kindly if you can address these questions.

[Aquarist_Fist]

Sponge filters are never completely silent because of the airpump. With an airstone, the actual "blub-blub_ is negligible.

I like sponge filters because of their excellent biological filtration and because they are absolutely shrimp safe. And as you said yourself, shrimps love to walk around on the sponge, eating all kinds of goo from it.

Extra oxygenation is not necessary. If nothing is wrong with your tank, there will be enough oxygen in the tank. A little surface movement is sufficient.

[dthb4438]

Instead of a sponge filter inside the tank, I got a good sized sponge from my LPS, cut a long hole in it thru the top of it for the intake tube to go inside of it, I covered the sponge with a knee high panty hose and zip tied it onto the tube. I currently am using a Eheim ECCO external filter system that is dead silent, but with a decent flow rate. No noise at all. This is saving room in my tank bottom and the shrimp love to climb all over it eating the detrius and whatnot.

[confuted]

Your post is a bit confusing. What's wrong with a powerhead/sponge combo?

[oakleyhoma]

First, thanks for your comments. AquaristFist: did you mean a powerhead/sponge combo is fine, no problem with oxygenation (provided I use a HOB too?). confuted: sorry I was confusing - I don't know if there is anything wrong with the powerhead/sponge combo vs. pump/stone/sponge. And it would be quieter I think. But if powerhead/sponge meant not enough oxygenation/water purity for the shrimp (even with a HOB also, for mechanical filtration) I'd consider a pump/air stone/sponge combo. I could put the pump in a small box to quiet it and the stone might not be too noisy. Or I could set the pump/sponge on a timer to run only at night, so I don't hear it and to not rob the water of CO2 during the daytime when my moss and java fern would need it.
If this makes better sense, then ... thoughts appreciated.

[Aquarist_Fist]

I was only talking about a simple sponge filter setup driven by an airpump. If you are not planning to overstock your tank and if you only do RCS, this will be absolutely sufficient. I use a Hydro II sponge on a 5.5g and never had an HOB/powerhead. I also never bothered to cycle the tank. Good water, Prime (or a similar product), and of course plants do the trick. Shrimps have a tiny bioload.

In general, filtration for reasons of oxygenation is overrated. Solid stocking and a healthy plant grow are much more important than filtration. When I was a kid, my neighbor bred blue discus in a 75g tank without filtration.

[oakleyhoma]

OK, your post is clear, thanks. So maybe I don't need a new HOB. I could just get a Rena 400 (??), a Hydro II (or next larger maybe) and put the air pump in a little box or something if it's noisy. If I don't like the blurb, blurb from the large bubbles produced, I can get a compatible, quiet air stone for it. But I have one other question: since it'll be a smallish tank and I want to be able to see the shrimp well, I'd be thinking "some plants" but not too many. I'm thinking a tiny driftwood just off center with one (two at most) java fern, I do hope to use mesh to make moss sidewalls (where it's to be located, you can't view the tank from the sides anyway). Oh, and a black tank background and black substrate, probably sand, maybe flourite black sand, for a limited amount of carpet (such as guppy grass/Najas or something easy and low light). Guess I could also keep a little floating hornwort in there for extra nitrate removal (except it would block light from my already skimpy 15W fixture). So really, my question is How many plants and what type does it take in a 10g to have them benefit water quality "enough" but also not turn the tank into an overcrowded "sponge/plant jungle"?

[confuted]

The sound from an airstone drives me NUTS. I'd avoid using an airstone, personally.

[idontknow]

Originally Posted by dthb4438

I covered the sponge with a knee high panty hose and zip tied it onto the tube.

I found using the panty hose collected to much crap. I felt the sponge did fine all by itself to keep the shrimp from gettin sucked up. Probably just personal preference.

[LS6 Tommy]

Airstones themselves add next to no oxygen to a tank. Circulation of the entire volume of water & surface agitation is where the oxygenation is done.

Tommy

[t0p_sh0tta]

The sponge filters are unsightly, but they can't be beat for their simplicity and efficiency (just don't crush your shrimp!). I'll likely be running a canister on my next shrimp tank (in my bedroom) to cut down on noise. Sponges over the intake has always worked in my other tanks.

-Lamar

[oakleyhoma]

OK, I have no other pesky questions. All good comments, thanks y'all (I'm in the Carolinas after all, though not a native), appreciate the comments. Various opinions, various preferences, and I'm assuming you've all done/are doing shrimp. Also useful to be reminded air bubbles don't really oxygenate, movement does... and movement can be achieved different ways (hob return, powerhead, air pump). Shawn