fishme
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Posts: 503
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Post by fishme on Oct 31, 2009 10:37:05 GMT -6
I don't have a fish room so no chance to set up a Linear pump system like the one Angel and Dennis recently set up. My tanks are spread in three different rooms. However, I'm wondering whether it would be possible to set up all my tanks with separate air pumps and sponges and do away with the HOB filters. Here are my questions:
1) Can you set up a healthy tank using only sponges and air pumps?
2) If so, if a sponge/air pump combo is rated to handle a certain sized tank, are those ratings accurate or would it be best to double it to be safe? I know I can always throw a HOB on there for security, but I'm just wondering if it's possible to set my tanks up without them all together.
3) What is the quietest air pump in your experience?
4) Are the air pumps cheaper to operate than the HOBs?
Right now I have a 75, a 55, two 30s and a 29 running with various HOB filters plus a Fluval 4 on the 75. I'm planning on adding a 125 soon. Any input will be appreciated.
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Post by davidtcb1 on Oct 31, 2009 10:47:47 GMT -6
I have never run a tank on just a air/sponge setup. Many have had great success with it though, and it seems to be an energy saving plus. I like having two filters on any given tank in case one malfunctions or quits while you are away (I am away from home a lot), you have another one running. I am curious as to what the other responses here will be. Seems that a sponge with an airstone wouldn't be as effective as a HOB or canister on say a 55 gallon tank, especially for mechanical filtration. Another thing to look at is whether you are using the setup for a breeding or show/display tank. Many breeders use the sponges with bare bottom tanks with little or no decor, which means a sponge would not have near the biological and mechanical work to do (alongside regular water changes) than in a fully decorated display tank with a substrate, etc.
I have personally had good luck with Rena air pumps in terms of output and quietness.
I am curious to see any information regarding the amount of electricity saved.
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Post by jon carman on Oct 31, 2009 14:01:50 GMT -6
It all matters what your goals are. I wouldn't put sponge filters on a show tank for one. They are all you need, but canisters/HOB or whatever else are better because they can move more water. I would do ehiem canisters, fluval canister, or aquaclear HOB for what you described. If you ever put them all in the same room then maybe, but right now I would stick with what you have.
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fishme
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Posts: 503
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Post by fishme on Oct 31, 2009 14:09:47 GMT -6
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Post by davidtcb1 on Nov 1, 2009 11:16:14 GMT -6
Oh yes! I stopped buying the cartridges a long time a go. Just buy the generic floss or quilt batting. A package of it will last forever and it works more effectively in my opinion. You will go broke buying those cartridges. Petsmart even carries a version of it that I get a lot of times. It is rolled into sheets so it can just be cut with scissors to fit your needs. Several yards for about 4 or 5 dollars. I buy a couple packages of it a year for use on my five tanks, and that's a well-spent 10 bucks there! |
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angel
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My Husband's A Birdbrain
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Post by angel on Nov 1, 2009 11:47:57 GMT -6
I have a couple of the cartridge type filters that I stuffed sponges and bio balls into. Works just fine.
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Post by davidtcb1 on Nov 1, 2009 13:12:50 GMT -6
I have three Emperor 400s that I put floss pad into cartridge containers in the back of the filter then a small filter bag with ceramic rings in front of that in each chamber. That and the bio wheels themselves make for great filtration.
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