ok few questions in powerfilters what takes the place of a bio-wheel and right now i have a bio-wheel do u guys think it would save me money if i changed to using sponge filters i already have a pump so i would only need to get a filter heres a link to one of the ones my lfs has and i am looking into getting http/www.franksaquarium.com/sponge_filters.htm
i was looking at the elite double do u think that would be enought for 30 gallons or would i need to get more than one
Sponge filters are mainly for smaller tanks with small delicate fish like shrimp and fry. They are not very good filters but are safe and good enough for a baby tank. Biowheels are great. The Emperor 280 by Marineland would be good for a 30 gal. Bio wheels do a great job of bio filtration. Plus with the 280 you get 2 media slots plus the bio wheel. I use one of the blue floss cartridges with carbon in it. I rinse it and resuse for a few months. I use diamond blend (carbon/zeolite mix) in the other media compartment. The bio wheel rounds it out for a good 3 stage filter. If you didn't have a bio wheel you would need a cannister filter or another strong hang on back filter like the AC 500. The AC 500 uses a sponge for bio filtration, beneficial bacteria colonize there to filter the water. Although on the bio wheel it works better becuase they are constantly exposed to the air and oxygen. In a cannister filter some ppl use sponges, lava rocks, bioballs, or other bio media for the bacteria to colonize on. A good bio media I have heard about and am thinking about trying is Seachem's Matrix bio media, here is a link.... http/bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xm...id1=1965;pcid2=
Whatever you decide to go with, get it from bigalsonline.com they are super cheap. They have everything for aquarium's other than large tanks and live fish. Good luck.
/www.franksaquarium.com/sponge_filters.htm
