Sponge Filter Bubble Control

[starsman20]

I get quite of bit of algea on my covers where the bubbles from the sponge filter splash a little water on them. Has anyone come up with an easy way to prevent this??

[Isaac M]

Hi @starsman20, I personally do not run any tops on my tanks but I have seen some people place a piece of polycarbonate panel by glueing or siliconing it to the rim above the bubbles to act as a splash guard. Maybe someone that runs an aquarium with a top can answer this a little better than I can. 

[starsman20]

Just now, Isaac M

Hi @starsman20, I personally do not run any tops on my tanks but I have seen some people place a piece of polycarbonate panel by glueing or siliconing it to the rim above the bubbles to act as a splash guard. Maybe someone that runs an aquarium with a top can answer this a little better than I can. 

I tried without topa. My pack of dogs shed enough I was getting hair in my open tanks. 🐕🐕🐕

[Dwayne Brown]

If your air pump has a dial on it you could try turning down the air flow. Other than that I would probably recommend that you get a lid for your aquarium. The sponge filter bubbles kind of go everywhere and a lid helps contain them.

[Hobbit]

I get algae on some of my lids/covers as well, from splashing but also just from condensation. I don’t know of a way to prevent it, though in my larger tank, the lights are mounted below the cover so the covers don’t get enough light for algae growth.

[Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics]

I keep a glass cover on my 75 gallon and I keep it pretty full. So, I get green algae on my lids too. When I notice it has started to take over I take the lids off after a water change and scrape it off with a plastic putty knife that I use on my tank. 
 

I don’t know of a way to keep it from happening, but I don’t believe it hurts anything until it starts to cover the light. 

[Trish]

I have inline air regulators on some of my sponge filters as my air pumps are quite strong, it works well to cut back forceful bubbles.  High light probably contributes to the growth as well if your lights are close to the glass.  

[Maggie]

The handy air regulator valve that Aquarium Coop sells for like 2 bucks works great! Before this, I used bag clips and paper clips. 

[starsman20]

Just now, Maggie

The handy air regulator valve that Aquarium Coop sells for like 2 bucks works great! Before this, I used bag clips and paper clips. 

I have these on every line on every tank.

Sounds like this is just a clean as I go issue

[Gloryview Farm]

I have seen people stretch clear plastic wrap across the top of the tank, just over the volcano action.  doesn't show up and it grabs the splash, and when you want, just pull it off and add another bit on.  no need to cover a big area, just over the splash zone.  Good luck.

[Ryan F]

Cory did a tour with a guy and he was using the lid from a take-away cup or something like that. Slide the airline hose through the straw hole and have it float right at the water level. It did a great job of suppressing the splashing.