1-1/2″ Slip x Slip Aquarium/Pond Bulkhead~Pumps/Filters

US $8.49 End Date: Monday Mar-22-2010 3:00:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2″ Slip x Slip Aquarium/Pond Bulkhead ~ Pumps & Filters

US $9.49 End Date: Monday Mar-22-2010 4:37:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

There are several models of sponge filters (and several brands, not all are even close to equal). There are sponge filters that work as pre filters for canister filters or HOB filters (where they substantially improve bio filtration during cartridge changes (not to mention they extend the life of filter cartridges allow less frequent changes). There are also sponge filters that work in ponds, aquarium sumps, or work as sponge filters for larger aquariums (the Hydro Pond ).

Where some of the misinformation comes in is how they are powered, many can be or are powered by pumps or power heads not just air pumps.

Another source of misinformation is their capacity as compared to other filters. You cannot compare a small cheap sponge filter model to an Aqua Clear 50 HOB filter. However a Hydro Sponge #5 (powered by a proper air pump (such as a ReSun 9602 ) or a power head (such as a Via Aqua 480 or larger) will easily match the Aqua Clear 50 in bio capacity (or usually exceed it) and mechanical filtration (often chemical filtration is not necessary in a healthy established aquarium, I only use carbon in new aquariums or sometimes after treatment).

The Hydro Pond II or IV will easily exceed the Aqua Clear 110.

All these sponge filters cost much less besides!

And finally another source of misinformation is on comparing all sponge filters as the same. I have used many different models and they are not even close to bio capacity or even flow rate with the same pump (air or water) attached (I have ?clocked? the fill rate in a measuring cup of different brand ?seasoned? sponge filters and found definite variations). I will admit to trying different brands for cost assuming a sponge was a sponge, however I quickly noticed the difference and then switched to knock offs of Hydro Sponge until I found out about patent infringements. There is a reason that there are so many patent infringements on Hydro Sponge, they work!

For my full article, please visit this site:

Sponge Filtration (Aquarium and Pond)

[1] Simple to use, most run on very basic air pumps or powerheads. One of the best beginner aquarist filters due simplicity and cost. But sponge filters are also popular with breeders and research facilities, as they are very efficient yet simple filters.

[2] Excellent biological filtration, they are very porous and can maintain very large aerobic bacterial colonies in proportion to the space they occupy. Please note that not all materials used for sponge filters are equal, there are patents because of this! The Hydro Sponge Filter holds several patents for sponge filters for this very reason!

[3] Mechanical filtration, although they are not the best mechanical filters, they still do a good job for their small size and make excellent secondary or primary filters when used in combination with other filters such as HOB, canister, or internal filters.

[4] Very few “dead” areas trapping pockets of noxious bacteria, unlike undergravel filters and even wet/dry filters (which in my experience are over rated).

[5] Simple to clean, simply remove the sponge and squeeze or rinse in old aquarium water or dechlorinated tap water. The advantage here is the aquarist is less likely to ignore cleaning the filter (unlike many complex filters), which can lead to organic build up, increasing nitrates and lowering KH and ph.

[6] Sponge filters are great in marine aquariums in a couple of different ways; one way is in a sump (sometimes sideways) with a small power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 480); the other (usually in a reef application) was inside the aquarium with either an air pump or power head. The beauty of either application is they are simple to rinse out with used aquarium water, which in the reef application was especially useful in that I could dispose of allot of debris before it cycled and produced Nitrates. They are an excellent compliment to “live rock” filtered reef aquariums.

[7] Probably the best choice of filtration for breeding tanks, hospital tanks, and even discus aquariums, due to the fact that they do not “suck” in baby or weak fish or attract noxious bacteria.

[8] For cichlid breeding they excell, as they are not easily disturbed by cichlids tendency to dig.

[9] Inexpensive

[10] Now available in larger sizes for aquariums over 60 gallons.

[11] Sponge filters can even be used in ponds. With the “Hydro Pond Filter”, simply attach a power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 2600), then run your return line wherever you like (waterfall, ECT). Or the Hydro Pond II can be run off a simple air pump. These filters can work on ponds up to 1500 gallons (or more with additional units).

[12] There also are sponge filters that are used as a “Pre-Filter” for intakes of canister, wet/dry, power filters and more. They offer increased bio-filtration to your existing system, as well as protection from baby fish, plants, or anemones from being sucked into the intake of your existing filter.

These pre-filter sponges are especially useful for HOB (power filters) as they increase the bio capacity (far more than bio wheels in experiments I have done) and retain the aerobic bio filtering bacteria during filter media changes. With out these Sponge pre-filters, HOB filters are poor to fair bio filters, with them they are excellent.

[13] Sponge filters are great for planted aquariums, they do not interfere with root structures and maintain a biological balance that ideal for planted aquariums.

Plants now utilize the nitrate and phosphate for fertilizer; if you have not provided an adequate ratio of water plants to koi fish, ?hard? algae (growing on rocks and koi pond walls) and ?free- floating? algae use nitrate and phosphate to reproduce. The key to preventing this condition, called ?algae bloom,? is to provide enough nonsoil bearing plants such as water lettuce and hyacinths to compete for the nitrate and phosphate. Since these two plants are tropical and can only survive in warm climates, hardier varieties such as Elodea and Anacharis will perform well in cold climates. These plants are commonly used in bio-filter ponds.

A bio-filter pond is used in conjunction with shallow koi ponds with small populations of koi fish. It will also eliminate the need for a mechanical bio-filter and a second pump to operate it. The bio-filter pond is located higher than the main pond for two reasons. It prevents the koi fish from eating the plants and it allows the water from the waterfall to be filtered as it passes through the plants prior to spilling into the lower koi pond.

An adequate ratio of plant cover for the koi pond?s surface is approximately 20 to 30 percent. This is a basic rule of thumb and many factors can change this equation. For example: koi fish population, water temperature, and debris accumulating from leaves or over-feeding the koi fish. I have said many times that the Koi Pond is the koi?s living room, dining room and toilet.

If you do not have a bio-filter, that could explain why your koi pond is a tad green, stinky, or cloudy, and why your finned family is gulping air on the surface. Trust me. That will not be for long. Fish gulping air to survive would be like you — in an attempt to avoid breathing poisoned air — gulping water to survive. I have a do-it-yourself simple instruction sheet with diagrams, for building your own bio-filter using $25-$35 worth of parts from any home improvement store. Also includes a shopping list of necessary items. download free (no sign-in) no obligation… http://www.askdoughoover.com/

Happy koi, peace and joy.

Depending on the size of your pond and how many fish you have will determine the type and size of the pond filter you need. Once installed the pond filter will keep both the water free from particles that can cause the water to be murky, smelly and even toxic, your fish and pond plants will also benefit from the pond filter as they will be healthier.

Pond filters not only optimise the viewing of your pond by cleaning the water for enhanced viewing of the fish, plants and inhabitants pond filters also conserve water by cleaning and recycling the ponds original water, When the water is pumped back into your pond it keeps the pond water which also helps to reduce the risk of the pond becoming stagnant.

There are several different types of pond filters to choose from all of which will produce a noticeable difference to any garden pond.

External Filters

External pond filters are usually the largest type of pond filter available. They are situated outside of the pond but close to it. They are usually filled with large sheets of foam with porous or plastic stone biological media underneath.

The biggest advantage of external pond filters is the improvement of the water quality it is also possible to add different filer media to serve other purposes should you have a specific problem with your pond. Having the pond filter outside of the pond makes the unit a lot easier to clean also the external pond filter supports the largest fish load.

The only disadvantage is the size and visibility however it is quite easy to disguise the pond filter behind pond plants making it less visible.

Submersed Filters

These pond filters are extremely versatile and are filled with a mixture of filter media for different types of filtration including chemical, mechanical and biological filtration. The advantages of this type of pond filter is not only the cleanliness of the water but the pond filter can also be used for other purposes such as water fountains, pond spitters and many other water based pond feature.

The only disadvantage is this type of pond filter is submersed in the water which may mean that you will need to stand in the pond to retrieve it depending on where it is situated when you decide to clean it.

When purchasing pond filters you will find that pet shops are always happy to help you chooses the right filter to suit your pond, take the time to ask someone in the shop and explain what sort of pond you have it is also wise to have a rough idea of the size and how many fish reside with it to make sure the best pond filter is selected.