Sponge filter with hob questions

[Carltronics]

So I have a 55g with a fruval 70 hob filter and a two port air filter hooked up to one air stone in a decoration and a bubble wand. I was thinking of making one if not both hoses hook up to your brand sponge filters instead. (Btw nice product) so I could get some more good bacteria and still aerate the water column. So that's the setup right now and the idea. But now for the questions, what size sponge filters? And does it matter what side or locations for the hob/ sponge? Should I do two or one sponge filter? The tank is a little full have -2 plattys- 1 full size gourami- 1 blue dwarf gourami- 2 giant danios- 6 tiger barb's- 3 cori catfish- 1 pitcus catfish- 3 black racer snails- 1 black kuli loach- and down to 5 neon tetras (I think the pitcus ate the others but just a guess). So In conclusion I probably overstocked and think the adding of the sponge filter/s would help. just wanted some opinions on size and placement of additional filters. And waters clear no problems with water test or anything and not too much agression in tank just thought the added sponge filter/ would help. Thanks, any and all constructive criticism or advice is welcome and appreciated. 

[Colu]

Best filtration you can get for a tank is live plants  you could put two medium sponge filter in one at each end of your tank

[Carltronics]

On 7/27/2021 at 1:49 AM, Colu said:

Best filtration you can get for a tank is live plants  you could put two medium sponge filter in one at each end of your tank

Yeah I dont have the set up for a planted tank. lights, nutrients, proper gravel. And all that is quite expensive including the plants themselves. I appreciate the size and placement ideas for the affordable sponge filter that basically uses what I already own minus the actual filter which probably cost less than a single plant. the tank and about 1/2 the fish in it where given to me. and happens to be my first tank ever so let's not try to over complicate things by giving me more living things to research and care for.

[Taco Playz]

I think the lights look fine in my opinion. I mean I still have topfin tanks that I bought when I was a new hobbyist that have live plants in them and the lights are complete junk. The hornwort and random species of sword is doing fine. You can get super cheap plants at your lfs or aquabid. I would always suggest buying off the Co-Op though.

[Colu]

You could add some floating plants like water lettuce or Amazonian frogbit they are great nitrate sponges

[Guppysnail]

On 7/27/2021 at 7:47 AM, Carltronics said:

dont have the set up for a planted tank.

Java fern and Anubis will grow in any lighting low light need no fertz no soil etc And can be relatively inexpensive at any pet big box store in a tube grown emerged so no disease parasite pest risk. Plants remove stuff average hobbiests can’t test for and add oxygen and fish love to have them. 

[sairving]

Extra filtration isn't going to hurt anything.  I have a sponge filter in my Betta tank with a small HOB.  The flow is turned down to almost a trickle.  There's a bit of sponge and Seachem Matrix in the HOB.  

[Perry]

Hey @Carltronics, are you seeing spikes of ammonia and/or nitrites in your tank? If not I don't think there's any need for additional filtration. Adding one or two sponge filters wouldn't hurt anything though if you want to; I think you'd be fine with small ones and you could really put them wherever you wanted. Maybe just one in a corner away from the HOB if for no other reason than to have a backup if the HOB were to break or whatever. Good luck and enjoy your tank!    

[Carltronics]

So I guess my real question is why have an air pump to just an air stone or bubble wand ? When you could get the same thing (adding oxygen to the water column) plus extra filtration and bonus beneficial bacteria. Is a sponge filter doing the exact same thing but bonus for dirt cheap?

[Guppysnail]

On 7/27/2021 at 10:11 AM, Carltronics said:

So I guess my real question is why have an air pump to just an air stone or bubble wand ? When you could get the same thing (adding oxygen to the water column) plus extra filtration and bonus beneficial bacteria. Is a sponge filter doing the exact same thing but bonus for dirt cheap?

It sure is. 😁

[Carltronics]

I also feel like my question went from nothing about plants to every response is about plants to be honest I'm happy that nothing has died yet it's just another worry for me to add more living things at the moment it is my first fish tank ever and its only been 3 months 

[Carltronics]

On 7/27/2021 at 6:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

Java fern and Anubis will grow in any lighting low light need no fertz no soil etc And can be relatively inexpensive at any pet big box store in a tube grown emerged so no disease parasite pest risk. Plants remove stuff average hobbiests can’t test for and add oxygen and fish love to have them. 

But this great information and now I'm starting to research adding live plants 

[HH Morant]

On 7/27/2021 at 9:11 AM, Carltronics said:

So I guess my real question is why have an air pump to just an air stone or bubble wand ? When you could get the same thing (adding oxygen to the water column) plus extra filtration and bonus beneficial bacteria. Is a sponge filter doing the exact same thing but bonus for dirt cheap?

I think people do that for aesthetics. Sponge filters take up space and do not look pretty or natural. If I have adequate or excess filtration already, I don't need one. That being said, I admit I have a sponge filter that I probably don't need, but it is hidden behind a large piece of wood and the base and up-tube are plasti-dipped black to blend in with the background. The air compressor has a built-in battery so that if the power goes off and my canisters stop working the sponge filter and the bubble wand keep the fish alive until I can do something about it. Of course, an air stone would do that, too.

[Guppysnail]

On 7/27/2021 at 10:17 AM, Carltronics said:

I also feel like my question went from nothing about plants to every response is about plants to be honest I'm happy that nothing has died yet it's just another worry for me to add more living things at the moment it is my first fish tank ever and its only been 3 months 

If something goes out of whack and it does sometimes like to vigorously cleaning etc it happens plants will save fish lives that’s how your question went to plants. I would be terrified to even attempt an aquarium without plants. It’s kinda like having the ultimate safety net plus added filter action and aeration. The same as your question why would you only put in an airstone when you could hook up a sponge. Many folks are very successful without plants but even all my fish keeping I would not trust myself to be good enough at it. 

[Guppysnail]

On 7/27/2021 at 10:48 AM, HH Morant said:

sponge filter and the bubble wand keep the fish alive until I can do something about it

I have this too plus it’s nice to always have a quick qt/injury/illness seasoned sponge available 

[Patrick_G]

On 7/27/2021 at 7:22 AM, Carltronics said:

But this great information and now I'm starting to research adding live plants 

Haha 😆, yeah with this crew you’re going to get the hard sell on live plants! The sponge filter is a good inexpensive option to add more biological filtration. Like you pointed out it costs barely more than an airstone so why not?  
 

Edited July 27, 2021 by Patrick_G

[Gideyon]

I came quite close to considering plants, but didn't feel like dealing with it. Silk plants still do what I need.  

@Carltronics, As to your question... I've considered adding a small sponge from the coop because I needed an airstone to help my sick fish. Why not just make it a filter instead and get the same benefit plus more. 

I'm no expert, but your logic seems sound. 

I'd put it on the other end. I think eventually all the water will make its way to one of the filters, but if it's on both ends, it'll be more likely to happen sooner than later. 

Edited July 27, 2021 by Gideyon