|
Written by Leon Huang
|
|
Tuesday, 26 July 2005 |
|
Page 2 of 9
Sponge filters
The cheapest and most cost-effective filters. For only a few bucks, you
can get the air pump, the sponge and the air tube necessary to complete
the setup.
How it works
The sponge filter is designed around the principles of air lifting. The
air pump pushes air from the tube and into the center of the sponge
filter. As the air bubbles rises up towards the exit at the center,
water displaces the vacuum caused by the air. The water will flow
through the sponge, and into the center of the filter, and finally
exits from the top just like the air bubbles. As the water flows
through the outside of the sponge, it gets mechanically filtered by the
sponge. And through the inside of the sponge, beneficial bacteria will
help remove ammonia and nitrite.
"It is simple in design. Its simplicity will be appreciated by beginners or young hobbyists."
Pros
The main form of filtration it provides is biological. Its multitude of
tiny holes offer a great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize. It
also provides mechanical filtration. But it is limited to small
particles, as its sponge does not allow larger ones to pass through. It
is also because of this reason, that the sponge filter is so widely
used for breeding fries. As fries wont get sucked in by the filter and
die.
It is also simple in design. Its simplicity will be appreciated by beginners or young hobbyists.
Cons
But one annoying issue with air-pump-driven filters is its noise. The
bubbles it creates, causes much water surface disturbance. Surface
disturbance is not a bad thing for non-planted fish tanks, as it
increases oxygenation of the water. But if your fish tank is not
overloaded with fishes, there is no need for that much oxygenation.
Sponge filters are not difficult to clean, all you have to do is pull
it out and rinse it in old fish tank water. But being an internal
filter, means lots of debris and particles will start flying while you
remove the filter from the water. Not a very nice sight, and your
fishes probably don't appreciate it either.
|
