sponge filters

[happypappy]

I am trying out a Hagen sponge filter in a couple of my 3 gallon betta tanks. Does anyone use sponge filters in the small tanks? what is your opinion on sponge filters for bettas?

[babystarz]

I won't buy anything else for my tanks :) They're much safer than other filter types. No chance of betta fins getting ripped up by them.

[ChoclateBetta]

There old school but great.

[Oldfishlady]

I wouldn't call them old school...Sponge filters are a common bio-filter used for many different applications in the hobby. Great filtration for delicate fin species, small tanks, hospital tanks and fry tanks to name a few.

[ChoclateBetta]

I mean they've been around a while if I remeber right.

[Blue Fish]

Ahh, so glad to see some information on this! I'm just trying one out for the first time. :)

Is there a way to decrease the flow/disruption to the water from the sponge filter? I've gone really home-ec with this and made one myself from sponge, an airstone, and a bubbler. (more as an experiment than anything else)

I've wrapped the thing in plastic mesh (like what many use as dividers) and then covered it all with a knee high, but there's still a fair amount of water movement from it. Any way to change that, or is that just the norm for a sponge filter?

[Oldfishlady]

You can get a gang valve to control the air flow from the pump to the filter-Some are better than others. I have seen them at wal mart for just a dollar or two....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=gang+valve

[ChoclateBetta]

My Sister has one the Betta seems to like it.

[callistra]

I think sponge filters for smaller tanks are great.

Just out of curiosity does your filter outflow kind of pulse or is it steady? I had one of those and it pulsed so I eventually took it back and got another kind. I never tried a second so just wondering.

[Blue Fish]

Thanks OFL, I'll definitely get a valve. :)

Callistra, mine isn't pulsing...the bubbles are fairly constant.
My waterfall filters pulse when I first turn them on and they're trying to refill, but after the reservoir is full, they don't pulse either. ?? :)