Difference of using hang-on filter and sponge filter

[Bocca]

anyone can advise the difference of using hang-on filter and sponge filter for shrimps tank? any advantage?
have visited some lfs, they have shown me their shrimp breeding tank was fitted with sponge filter and i dont think they have washed it either, as they looked dirty...!!!

i personally used hang-on(ehiem) filter for my 1.5ft shrimps tank...so far i dun have any issue yet.. :D

any advise.
thxs

[simcb]

IMO,

Hang ons are ok especially for small tank less than 1ft. The water flow rate is weak for most hang on filters....therefore tanks using hang ons must watch out for overcrowding....too many shrimps and not enough oxygen.

Spong are better as they are submerge in the tank.....although dirty...after a while ...those dirt are also food for shrimps. Especially baby shrimps they need those dirt(micro organisms) to grow.

[kross]

IMO,

Hang ons are ok especially for small tank less than 1ft. The water flow rate is weak for most hang on filters....therefore tanks using hang ons must watch out for overcrowding....too many shrimps and not enough oxygen.

Spong are better as they are submerge in the tank.....although dirty...after a while ...those dirt are also food for shrimps. Especially baby shrimps they need those dirt(micro organisms) to grow.

do we leave the sponge alone until the day we decided to revamp the tank? i.e. no need to wash or change as there is "food" built up?

[simcb]

do we leave the sponge alone until the day we decided to revamp the tank? i.e. no need to wash or change as there is "food" built up?

I guess wash with conditioned water once in a while..... 1 mth once or every fornightly depending on your bioload .... not sure cause i am using ext can filter.

[Ljung]

with hanging filter, u cant keep floating plants e.g. duckweed, frogbit....

[Robert]

Hi,
the hang on filters are not that bad but they have some disadvantages in comparison to sponge filters. They have often less filter medium than even the smallest sponge filter, so they cannot do their job that good. Shrimps love dark places with a strong current, so they try to get inside the filter. But often they get injured (you can se black lines on the shrimps body later on) and die after a few days. So you have to cover the inlet of the sponge filter, a small piece of sponge does the job well. But this reduces the flow rate and does not make the filter better.
Sponge filters are better for the biological filtration, even cheaper and safe for the shrimps. You don't have to clean them as often as hang on filters. The "dirt" reduces the flow rate a bit but that's it. So if you forget to clean it, almost nothing happens. I wash my sponge filters in tank water during a water change (in the bucket, not in the tank) only 3-5 times a years, if the flow rate is rather small. There is no need to clean them more often. BTW, this article shows how to build a simple sponge filter: DIY Sponge Filter (http://www.shrimpnow.com/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewarticle&id=18)

best regards

Robert

[Bocca]

thxs guys for the comments. :wink:

[janazr]

Hanging filter is not safe for breeding shrimps, fries
will get trap and die.

[Walter]

Hanging filter is not safe for breeding shrimps, fries
will get trap and die.

If really have to use, you can place a sponge at the inlet to prevent shrimps falling in :)

[jojoecute]

I had attach a small sponge on the inlet...

See picture

[simcb]

I had attach a small sponge on the inlet...

See picture

Wow! nice sponges.....custom made? or come with your external filter?

I just use cloth mesh netting and wrap up the inlet a few rounds to reduce the size of the holes. It a bit ugly for my method......but can hide it behind plants or tie moss to decorate it lolz.

[jojoecute]

U ever go to ?
Antie use it in CRS tank, Smallest internal sponge filter..


Wow! nice sponges.....custom made? or come with your external filter?

I just use cloth mesh netting and wrap up the inlet a few rounds to reduce the size of the holes. It a bit ugly for my method......but can hide it behind plants or tie moss to decorate it lolz.

[simcb]

U ever go to ?
Antie use it in CRS tank, Smallest internal sponge filter..

Wah her shop like very messy so many things didnt notice.....will drop by if got time. Thanks jojoecute.

[Walter]

I had attach a small sponge on the inlet...

See picture
that's very neat and shrimp safe :D

[Mexx]

I had attach a small sponge on the inlet...

See picture
Hi may i know does this small sponge filter fit the inlet for ehiem hang on filter? Cause i saw the small sponge filter at a shop.

Thanks and Regards
Mexx

[spinex]

Hi may i know does this small sponge filter fit the inlet for ehiem hang on filter? Cause i saw the small sponge filter at a shop.

Thanks and Regards
Mexx

I just cut those filter medium and cut it to the size of the inlet of my overhang filter and tie it around. That will prevent your shrimp from being sucked in. If you want a thick one like sponge filter just wrap it around a few times. If you look around some LFS do this.

[NanoDave]

anyone can advise the difference of using hang-on filter and sponge filter for shrimps tank? any advantage?
have visited some lfs, they have shown me their shrimp breeding tank was fitted with sponge filter and i dont think they have washed it either, as they looked dirty...!!!

i personally used hang-on(ehiem) filter for my 1.5ft shrimps tank...so far i dun have any issue yet.. :D

any advise.
thxs

I think the best advantage of sponge filters is that there is no motor so the tank water is cooler. :)

[kenkht]

I think the best advantage of sponge filters is that there is no motor so the tank water is cooler. :)

I thoroughly agree. I tried to put in an internal filter and was shock to find the water quite warm the next morning. Definitely not good for cooler water shrimp!

[silane]

I thoroughly agree. I tried to put in an internal filter and was shock to find the water quite warm the next morning. Definitely not good for cooler water shrimp!


Same case here, it was just a 180l/hr internal filter, rated at 5W and it heated up my 1x1x1 feet tank water! I quickly removed it and replace with a sponge filter. I think a hang on filter will be good too, as the powerhead is not in the water.

[defi]

I plan to set up three 2 feet tank. But still thinking of getting sponge only, top filter or canister. Any recomended? I think i will just put sponge filter. Is it ok? How many crs can be live in the tank with sponge filter?

[retardo]

Just to clarify... what is the volume of a 2ft tank?

[morphriz]

Hehe,

what is a 2ft tank? 2ft by 2ft by 2 ft? Then then volume is 8 cubic feet which is roughly 220L.
cheers,
mattias


edit: 220L/8cf is about 60 US gallons

[Blackberry]

So, for my 10 gallon to be rcs tank, should i use an Aquaclear powerfilter (rated at 100 gph) or a Sponge filter?

I would put a sponge over the intake.

[Red Bee Shrimp Fan]

On my 10 gallon CRS tanks I currently use:
1 - Aquaclear Mini (I cover the intake with a Hagen Elite sponge - replacement sponge)
1 - ATI Hydro Sponge #1
*****attached airstone for finer bubbles
*****air pump driven
No losses due to suction from HOB :)