I Just Don't Get How Sponge Filters Work...

[mandy82]

I did the DIY 5 Minute Sponge Filter for my 10 gallon hospital tank. Can someone help me understand how a sponge filter works? Does it really filter anything? Would I still need a regular power filter when using a sponge filter?

Thanks!

 

[guppymonkey]

sponge filters are one of the most basic filters. Basically an air pump puts air though the filter which draws some water through after it. Not much pressure and not much filtering but it does have a good amount of nitrifying bacteria build up on the porous surface of the sponge. Sponge filters are almost useless except in very small tanks or in breeding tanks with small fry. A power filter will suck fry up while the fry can escape the slight pull of a sponge filter (and eat microorganisms off the surface).

 

[pica_nuttalli]

ok... lets see how this does...

( 1 ) you have a tube stuck in a porous material with an airstone

( 2 ) the bubbles from the airstone push up the water in the tube. this sucks out water from the bottom of the tube.

( 3 ) the water in the rest of the porous material quickly moves to fill the vacated space.

( 4 ) the outside water then rushes in to refill the porous material.

now imagine all of these steps happening simultaneously!

 

[whip]

I couldn't explain it better than that!

 

[020292]

yeah! Thanks i was wondering the same thing and that explains it!

Thanks!

 

[anne24]

Great explanation Pica. Many thanx