Stackable Aquarium Sponge Filters

 

Stackable Sponge Filters

While not at all a new idea, it is often a forgotten idea that is especially useful for Breeder Aquariums & Goldfish Aquariums (especially bare bottom tanks)

These Filters can be stack tightly for use in high bio load aquariums such as often "dirty" goldfish tanks.

Or the "Step" can be used as a spacer to allow for gaps for fry/babies to hide in; this is recommended for breeder aquariums.

The First picture displays a Hydro Sponge #1 Stackable which is probably the most popular with breeders since many can be added for both added bio capacity, but also many places for fish fry to hide.

The second picture displays the Hydro Sponge #5 Stackable which can be used in large breeder tanks, but is best to add on to large high bio load aquariums.
Since the #5 Stackable utilizes the standard patented Sponge material by ATI, it makes a great addition to Hydro Sponge #5 PRO in that it will provide more fine mechanical filtration as well as more "space" for nitrifying bacterial colonies. The only negative is that it will slow much quicker the the reticulated sponge material used by the #5 PRO, but this is over come be simply rinsing this sponge at more frequent intervals.

Please Click on each Picture to Enlarge for a better view



As a side note;
Since the use of stacking sponge filters often entails breeder aquariums or large aquarium systems with valuable specimens, I strongly urge those who utilize UV Sterilizers to maintain their UV Bulbs by changing these once per every six months for optimum effectiveness.

Sponge Filter Lift Tube Extensions

 

High Performance Sponge Filters such as the Hydro Sponge (or Hydro Pond #2) can have improved circulation patterns in deep aquariums with the use of "Hydro Lifts".
A Hydro Lift extends the flow pattern in deeper tanks (generally over 16 inches) by extending the water outflow higher in the aquarium (as close to the surface as possible for maximum results).
It is noteworthy that this is not always necessary in all aquariums such as aquarium with other filters that provide good upper circulation or where the aquarium keeper desires less circulation in the upper aquarium.

However in most aquarium applications this is desirable, especially where the Sponge Filter is the sole or primary filter for the aquarium. Of which despite popular anecdotal (but incorrect) assumptions, a sponge filter can actually exceed many other filters including HOB Power Filters and even many Canister filters for aerobic bio filtration. The key is the correct size Sponge filter and the quality of the sponge material; both of these attributes are generally missing with sponge filters used where incorrect assumptions were made (extensive controlled tests dating back to the 1990s have proven this).
(Please click on the picture to the left to enlarge for a better view)

The addition of a Hydro Lift (or similar 1 inch tube) can be used with either air pump driven or power head (water pump) driven sponge filter applications. These lifts can also be easily cut to exact heights with a hack saw.

Hydro Lift Extensions can also be used with multiple "Stackable" Sponge Filters such as the Hydro Sponge #5 Stackable, this can be useful for large deep tanks where multiple tiers of Sponges are added to keep up with high or increasing bio loads.

For an air pump to power your AAP Hydro-Lift, NOTHING beats the AAP Million Air Pumps for value.
AAP Aquarium Million Air Pumps

Aquarium Sump, Central System Filter

Another use for larger reticulated sponge filters such as the Hydro Pond #4 is as a primary sump filter.
The large double reticulated high volume water flow sponges provide for copious amount of surface area for bio filtration.
This high flow design of the reticulated Hydro Pond Sponges provides more surface area and much less channeling of water than bio balls can in the same amount of space (water channeling is the major problem of bio balls, sand, ceramic media and even bio stars, which results in areas of little or no water contact).

Below is a complete Sump system for a marine aquarium that includes (click picture to enlarge):
* Glass or acrylic plates mounted to provide an optimum flow pattern
* An AAP Hydro Pond Pre-Filter in the first chamber
* Crushed Coral crumbles for bio filtration, both aerobic and anaerobic (as well as some mechanical filtration)
* A combination deep sand bed and refugium for further nitrate control
* Final chamber with AAP Rio HF Pump for circulation as well as an AAP/TMC Premium V2 Skim marine protein skimmer and/or a FSB Filter Reactor
* An AAP/TMC GroBeam or Marine White Premium High efficiency/high output LED light is also employed for refugium.

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The Hydro Pond 4 can easily handle an aquarium up to 250 gallons or central aquarium system of similar gallons. The amount of water volume can increase with multiple filters or the addition of Sponges for the use of diffusion of water into the sump. A Hydro Pond 4 can be used for the water diffusion or the smaller more simple Filter Max #3 can be employed for this use as well (some square sponges such as those for the larger Aqua Clear Filter can be used in a diffusion chamber as one more alternative).

Probably the simple way to build this sump is to use a Filter Max #3 or Hydro Pond 4 attached to PVC pipe that pours (diffuses) water into the sump. These diffusion sponges will act as a wet dry filter.

Step two would be to add a Hydro Pond 4 to the pick up pump such as the Via Aqua 2600 in the top picture to return the water to the aquarium (a Rio 20 HF Pump would work even better).
With two Hydro Pond 4 Filters (one for pick up & one for diffusion) your capacity would be up to 500 gallons. With one Hydro Pond 4 Filter and one Filter Max 3 or large Square Aqua Clear 110 Sponge your combined sump capacity would be about 300-350 gallons.

Finally, for readers scratching their heads wondering why they have not read or heard of this type of simple aquarium sump set up, the answer is simple; Many aquarium professionals have employed this method for years, however since the cost is very low (the purchase of a pump, 10 gallon aquarium, and a few Sponge Filters/sponges), most aquarium supply sellers would rather sell you their elaborate sumps of similar size and then charge over $350 (often without the pump too) for a set up that is likely of lower actual bio capacity than the above sump suggestion that would cost the DIY builder well under $125 (including the pump and a 10 gallon aquarium that can be cheaply purchased at Walmart, PetCo or better your local specialty aquarium store).
The choice is yours!!

With the addition of a good UV Sterilizer placed in-line for your Return such as the Terminator 36 watt Category B UV or AAP Vecton 25 Watt Category A UV, you will have a sump or central aquarium system that is second to none (make sure to change your UV Bulbs in your Sterilizer every six months for optimum performance)!

Related Information for advanced planted aquarium keepers:
Aquarium LED Warranties/Reviews, Including SB Reef Lights, Finnex, etc.

Further Recommended Reading/Products:
*Aquarium Lighting The worlds leading resource for research/experience based aquarium lighting information
*AquaRay LED Lighting The only true online seller of the most efficient and most durable aquarium LED light for your marine or freshwater aquarium (do not be fooled by a parasite retailer selling under an official sounding name)
*UV Sterilizer Information; What is the best UV for aquarium/pond The worlds leading resource for research/experience based aquarium UV Sterilizer information

Sponge Filter Uses; UV & Power Failure

Other Sponge Filter Uses; Connected UV Sterilizer & Power Failure Back up Filter

This post will show a couple of other uses for an Aquarium Sponge Filter.

(1)The use of an aquarium sponge filter connected to either a non stop air pump or to an automatic battery air pump is a simple way to insure your fish survive a power failure longer than 4 hours.
The picture to the left shows a Hydro sponge #1 connected to an automatic Million Air 'D' cell battery pump. With this method the pump turns 'ON' when power is cut, thus running this filter, however with this method, best results are achieved by having a second sponge filter already running in the aquarium (so as to be "seeded" biologically) that can be reconnected to the battery pump.
If one uses a non stop air pump, the air pump runs continuously on either AC or its rechargeable battery. The downside here is the air pump costs considerably more.

Please see this article for more about Aquarium Power Failures: Dealing with Aquarium Power Failures

(2) Another unique idea is to run a UV Sterilizer with your sponge filter being used as a pre-filter for more UV Sterilizer efficiency (make sure that your UV Sterilizer has its UV Bulb/ Lamp changed every six months for peak efficiency as well).
The use of a UV Sterilizer can aid in the prevention of many diseases (especially water borne bacteria), as well as improving Redox for general fish health.


Please see this article for more about this concept for the use of UV Sterilizers with a sponge filter (& other ideas):
Aquarium UV Sterilizer Combinations