Changing Sponge Filter

[murphinvert]

When the Sponge filter has been running for a few months, and bacteria and other debris is collected onto the filter. Now is it best to clean the filter as new? Or let the bacteria and debris stay in the tank?

[Navanod]

Hi murphinvert,

Too much debris may choke the sponge eventually although the shrimps would likely have a feast too.
If you're concerned, you can collect some of the tank water during waterchange, and wash the sponge by shaking and squeezing it in the water to dislodge any debris.

[murphinvert]

My sponge filter is connected to a power filter. I was wondering if there's any negative outcomes if I don't clean the filters as new?

[Navanod]

My sponge filter is connected to a power filter. I was wondering if there's any negative outcomes if I don't clean the filters as new?

The flow rate from the power filter will decrease if the sponge is too choked and this will affect filtration and may create stagnant zones in the tank due to poor water flow.
If the sponge is not your primary biofilter, then go ahead and just run it under a tap to wash all the dirt off.

[Summit MicroFarm]

Regardless to whether it is connected to an air driven pump or an HOB or whatever, the sponge must be "cleaned" relatively regularly. I do exactly what Navanod saod...I use the bucket of water I pulled out of the tank for change and dunk the sponge, or filter media whatever, into the bucket and vigourously squeeze the mulm out. I do this once a month, and never do it the same week of "cleaning" filter media.
To answer your question exactly...yes there are negative outcomes if you do not squeeze out the sponge. Eventually it will clog the pores of the sponge and the bacterial colony in te sponge will die creating a water chemistry spike...the pump may even burn out from improper water flow through it. Bottom line is, no cleaning = Dead shrimp, fish whatever. Once again, it is not a "cleaning" and more like a vigours rinsing.

[Summit MicroFarm]

The flow rate from the power filter will decrease if the sponge is too choked and this will affect filtration and may create stagnant zones in the tank due to poor water flow.
If the sponge is not your primary biofilter, then go ahead and just run it under a tap to wash all the dirt off.

Sorry, I strongly disagree with this simply because chlorine and chloramine kills our aquatic life and rinsing in tap water without treatment is asking for problems...I see it all the time when people ask me for rearing advice and they tell me how they "clean" their tanks and filters. using the water taken out at time of water change is the most sensible choice for rinsing your sponge. If your sponge gets clogged before you want to do a water change for whatever reason (female Taiwan bee with eggs) then I just use some RO/DI water in a bucket.

[CTale]

From my experience, it is absolutely safe to wash the sponge with tap water only if it isn't your primary biofilter, just like Navanod said.

One of shrimp tank has double sponge media filter (Internal Wall-Mount Sponge Filter SF-XY2831) and I clean it alternately, only one sponge per week.

But then, I keep only Neocaridina heteropoda's that may be less sensitive to tap water in my city.

My other tank is 75l and there is a filter inside of it, partitioned behind the Java Moss wall:

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There I used sponge to make mechanical obstacle to prevent shrimplets and debris to enter bio part of filter. Once in 2-3 weeks i remove it and wash in tap water.

Anyhow, I had no losses maintaining my filters this way, and I consider it very much safe (with my Neocaridina heteropoda's and water quality in my city)

[Navanod]

Sorry, I strongly disagree with this simply because chlorine and chloramine kills our aquatic life and rinsing in tap water without treatment is asking for problems...I see it all the time when people ask me for rearing advice and they tell me how they "clean" their tanks and filters. using the water taken out at time of water change is the most sensible choice for rinsing your sponge. If your sponge gets clogged before you want to do a water change for whatever reason (female Taiwan bee with eggs) then I just use some RO/DI water in a bucket.

Thanks for the remainder Summit, you are correct to say that. I should've added that the sponge should squeezed dried after washing at the tap before being replaced into the tank and that this should be done concurrently with waterchange so that fresh water with residue dechlorinating product can neutralize any chloramine left on the sponge.

One can never be too careful with shrimps around and rinsing with tank water is still safest, especially if the tank volume is low.

[Shrimpinmn]

I squeeze my sponges out weekly in a bucket of tank water. Only use water from the tank the sponge came from to reduce disease transfer.
It can take a filter a couple of weeks or longer to fully recover from a tapwater washing, so why risk it?

[magpie]

I will wash the sponge inlet filter with tap water and squeeze out all the debris and muddy stuffs. There is no issue with that as there is still filter in the canister to for the bacterial colony.