How to Clean a Sponge Filter + 3 Bonus Tips

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Congrats on setting up your first sponge filter! But what’s next? Do you need to clean it or replace it? Keep watching as I share my top tricks for keeping your sponge filter working in tip top shape!
🧽 My favorite sponge filter: geni.us/SpongeFilter_GTF
📚 RESOURCES
▶ How to Install a Sponge Filter + 3 Bonus Tips: • How to Install a Spong...
▶ Can You Clean Sponge Filters with Tap Water? • How to Clean Sponge Fi...
▶ How to Clean a Betta Fish Tank… the Easy Way! • How to Clean a Betta F...
🛒 MATERIALS I USED
▶ Sponge filter: geni.us/SpongeFilter_GTF
▶ Airline tubing: amzn.to/32aJUJL
▶ Air pump: amzn.to/2SKDWfB
▶ Air stone: amzn.to/2vPN3Tb
▶ Check valve (prevents water from flowing out of your aquarium): amzn.to/2SKGxGj
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from the links above. Also, I work for Aquarium Co-Op but am not sponsored by them.)
🐟 SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss my latest video: / @girltalksfish
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🦐 CONNECT WITH ME to get extra updates
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ATTRIBUTION
Music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra... (if you use my referral link, I get 1 month free 😀)
#aquarium #plantedtank #fishtank

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Опубликовано:

21 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 205

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

*Learn how to install your first sponge filter here:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BS7gIHUkhuo.html

@kasperaquatics 4 года назад

Love how you cut the test strips in half to make them last twice along. You can do a video on that, and how to save money in the hobby.

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Keke, you noticed... I included it in one of my RU-vid stories as a little tip of the day. 😉

@extrasuperpowr 3 месяца назад

That is super clever

@lynnbonica4342 4 года назад

I recently bought my first sponge filter, so this was perfect timing. Thanx. It answered all my questions. 👍🍄😎

@Kjuneholmes 2 года назад

This was super helpful. I watched your videos amongst many to decide on which filter I would go with and you convinced me to go with a sponge filter for the first time after 20 years of fish keeping. Thank you because I was highly intimidated on how to clean this thing

@shivamghorpade7761 Месяц назад

Very informative and nicely explained.thank you.

@deadfred821 4 года назад

Love the presentation. Might I add that your tank water & sponge waste can be added to your garden as that's some powerful natural fertilizer. Just don't use tank water from reptiles & amphibians on food baring plants as their waste can contain salmonella that can be passed on to the fruits/vegetables they produce (but the roses & lilies will still love it).

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Oh interesting! I didn't think about not using reptile and amphibian water for those reasons. Thank you so much for the heads up. :)

@deadfred821 4 года назад

@@GirlTalksFish Yep, but that's just for the food baring plants. Violets, roses, lilies & others are fine since you won't be eating anything from them.

@craigb2279 4 года назад

You read my mind. I have always wonder if dirty tank water would make a good fertilizer for my plants. Thanks much

@tiffanyc6486 2 года назад

An absolute queen. I am learning so much from your videos and your wisdom from your experiences and research 🙏🏽🙌🏽

@origamijuniper3084 4 года назад

Thank you for these tips! I feel like your videos are answering all the questions I’ve been asking!

@gshrimp1601 3 года назад

I literally love you thank you so much for being a shining brilliant human and making my aquarium hobby so much more enjoyable to learn about! I love the way you organize and edit your videos!

@maliakessel5792 4 года назад

Omg I was going to clean my first sponge filter today and had no clue how! Thank you so much for the very informational video! Keep up the good work!👍

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Yay, I'm glad this video helped you!

@bjaldi71 4 года назад

You really do such a good job with these videos. It is fun to track your progress, while also using tips from both your successes and mishaps in the hobby. It's all a part of the process. I plan on implementing a sponge filter along with my current overhead filter to up the quality in my tank, and this plus your installation video were super informative. Can't wait to see your tank update!

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Ooo fun! Best of luck with your upcoming projects. :)

@benisergonzales3686 4 года назад

I missed your videos ♥️♥️♥️ . Keeping simple yet effective.

@jasbell1 6 месяцев назад

Just wanna say thanks for all the work you put into your videos. I appreciate how you do so much research and explain it in such an easy to understand way. I've been a ton of your advice while setting up my first tank!

@LadyKT7232 2 месяца назад

Thank you for the great advice!!❤👍

@oliviagiuliano3696 4 года назад

Super helpful thanks for clearing it up, easy to understand

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

My pleasure! Glad it could help out. :)

@jennyveile 4 года назад

This is just what I needed! Thank you!

@xJustinxP 4 года назад

Excellent! Thank you 🙏

@joshszooofanimals5416 4 года назад

Great video and information 😊👍🏻

@corinneroberts4606 3 года назад

Very helpful!! Thank you !!

@mldaydreamz6751 4 года назад

Love from India ♥️♥️ Helpful information thanks 👍☺️

@DC-wq4do 4 года назад

Hi Irene, I love your videos. I hope you keep them coming. Mahalo 🤙🤙🤙

@janellehernandez9012 2 года назад

You're a lifesaver! Nobody does it like you!

@rayduncanmusic 3 года назад

Your videos are so helpful and informative, thank you :) :)

@lynnthompson6796 Год назад

Thank you for sharing this video 👍😀

@soupbonep 5 месяцев назад

You have the best and most helpful aquarium videos with great information!

@WhiteCottages 11 месяцев назад

Thank you! No buying filters any more!

@suee031 4 года назад

Great video. Have a nice weekend. Stay healthy.

@Aquagold.goldysingh1313 4 года назад

Beautiful tip

@kentmerrill8925 4 года назад

Great video. Just learning

@timw.8225 4 года назад

Great video...................been using sponge filters for years along with HOB on some tanks. I have well water and always clean it under the tap with no repercussions as of yet.........of course I have no chlorine or chloramine in my well water so that`s a plus !!

@badger6576 4 года назад

Hi great tips. I loveee your channel 🤩🤩😊

@jamesgreen9372 4 года назад

Thanks for another informative video. The short and packed with wisdom format works well ! The tip on squeezing the sponge to make it sink is a good one. I also appreciated the insight on pore size. Dose the presence of fry make a smaller pore size better? Thanks again, Jim PS: Please inform us when Aquarium Co-OP starts stocking the "Magical Tool" filter. We will all be looking for the alchemy analysis in the blog review.

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Lol! That would indeed be awesome if there was a never-clog sponge filter where you never had to clean it. Even with tiny fry, I haven't had a problem with them getting sucked up into large porosity sponges, but maybe someone has seen it happen?

@thomasm78 4 года назад

Great video. I actually use to be more scared but I clean my aquaclear foam in tap. It also helps that I have 2 filters on the tank, so I clean one and the other I clean another time.

@ericagua4491 4 года назад

Good tips .. I personally like to dunk my sponge in a bucket of tap water with some prime after I dunked it a couple times in old water.. helps to see if you got all that waste off ..

@davidg145 4 года назад

Irene, what I do is to declorinate tap water before using it to clean my 3 sponge filters. So far so good,

@tomlee7258 4 года назад

Your videos are always well done!I have used tap water to clean filters for years with no issues. We seem to forget that bacteria can live on all surfaces in a aquarium. I try to get the water temperature close and stagger maintenance with a second filter or media.

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Yes! Couldn't have summarized this issue better myself. :)

@ultimatefishkeeping 4 года назад

Great video. I like how you conducted this video. There are many people that think they do not need to do anything to keep their Aquarium clean which is why this video is good for them. Never neglect your Aquarium. Have a great week.

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week yourself. :)

@ultimatefishkeeping 4 года назад

@@GirlTalksFish Thank you. :)

@s.d.k874 4 года назад

Thx for giving ur tips😊 What happened to tour tank? Ive also seen a hillstream loach🤔 Can you do and update? If you've got time of course..

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Yes! The Shy Guys tank is currently undergoing a huge renovation. I added a bunch of new plants and plan to do an update once they grow in a little.

@Kasaiiix 4 года назад

I missed your videos 😁

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Thank you so much! I hope to make videos a little more frequently in the future.

@BetaTheProject 3 года назад

I’m switching to a sponge filter this weekend!

@coynerooski 4 года назад

What a great video.

@ahmedabraheem8219 2 года назад

I love you thank you

@sunflowermouse307 3 года назад

Just ordered my first sponge filter from Aquarium Coop. I've been having major issues with water quality in my 20 gallon with very little I do helping the situation so I'm hoping this will help solve the dirty water problem. I didn't think I had an overstocked tank, but I'm pretty new to fishkeeping so I've lost a couple little guys recently :(

@Ephem13 4 года назад

I use a sponge on the intake of my canister filter (tip I picked up from one of Cory's vids) to keep large debris out of my main filter area, it also helps protect my shrimp fry. I also keep fish that like cooler temps. Of the ~23 gallons it takes me to fill my tank, about 2.5 gallons is canister and co2 reactor all in a cool place. Combined with my screen top and a fan, I can keep my tank nice and cool in the worst of the Texas summers. Also, I can deep clean my in tank sponge and all four walls without any kind of bloom, something I wasn't able to do before the canister and reactor.

@earshad2622 3 года назад

Thank you Irene

@GirlTalksFish 3 года назад

My pleasure!

@dvt6481 2 года назад

Thanks for the advice. I was about to replace my two 6yrs old sponge filters . Save the money for more fish food . 😊

@AQUAGUYUK 4 года назад

Great video I am not a fan of sponge filters but maybe your tips will help

@mondraymondo 4 года назад

I love these. Especially for a shrimp tank: free food! Anyways will you do more aquatic plants video? Maybe about tiger lotus / dwarf lily?

@spitz-mv6zb 4 года назад

i honestly would recommend finer sponges for both filter and prefilter for hang on backs if you have shrimp, newborn shrimplets like to dig around in there if it's coarse and they'll die when you take it out for cleaning.

@cuileann8240 2 года назад

I like to scoop my sponge filter up in a ziplock bag. It helps so much with things getting out as I take it out. It’s so satisfying to see everything come out that way

@matthewbeasley2869 Год назад

I use a wide cup under it then just take out the tubing & clean everything in the cup. I have a pretty small tank rn tho =/ & my betta just passed 2 nights ago. I'll never shop at my local petsmart again, I can't take how they neglect their live animals & have decided not to support them anymore. Anyway sorry for the rant, I've been watching her vids since we got the betta I mentioned. He was already too old & sick when we got him, but I couldn't return him after thinking he would just be freezing in a tiny cup until I died if I brought him back to them. ANYWAY a small container to keep all the yuckies out deff helps me. Plus it stays wet in the old tank water while cleaning.

@MidnightGeekSS 4 года назад

Another great informative video! Can you do one about quarintining your fish with cory's med trio

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Actually I already have a video on it on the channel. Just go to my channel homepage and there's a search bar next to the About tab. :)

@PrimeTimeAquatics 4 года назад

Nice video! I’ll actually have a video out soon about why tap water is ok to use. 😀

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Perfect! I loved your first video on washing sponge filters with tap water. Will update the link when it comes back. :)

@triplethedefeaterx8356 4 года назад

You're awesome.

@charliemalinis5028 4 года назад

Thankyou for this vid information. I haven't cleaned mine in months hahahaha now I can clean it properly

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Yay, glad I could help! :)

@boglarkaselek4837 3 месяца назад

Hello, I am new to the hobby and I find very helpful your video. My question is, why does my sponge have a smell? I clean it every week but it still smells bad. What should I do?

@erikalane8198 2 года назад

Is there a specific way to convert from a hang on the back filter to a sponge filter? Should I have them both running for a period of time or can I just swap it out?

@JeremyGoneWildPets 4 года назад

Great video! I have one tank who’s sponge filters I need to replace soon because they’re covered in black beard algae

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Oh yeah, I have one like that too. I may have to bleach it get rid of everything. 😤

@robertma6068 4 года назад

In terms of cleaning the filter, I'm thinking that water you've got on standby that has been dechlorinated with a dechlorinator? I have two buckets of dechholorinated water on standby for water changes. I like to keep them out awhile so that all remaining gases get out. One could always get a bucket of that ready the day before so that they have it available when they want to clean out the sponge filter.

@takiamitchell9867 3 года назад

I'm switching from a hob for my shrimp tank to a sponge. I've got 1 and 2 week old baby shrimplets. Do you think they will be fine with the aquarium co-op course sponge filter in a 10 gallon?

@jasonbeard4130 4 года назад

I installed a new sponge filter on a small tank yesterday. When I put my hand in the tank I got a zap. I’ll be buying a new heater today, and switching off everything but the light when doing maintenance from now on

@twunderaquatics1770 4 года назад

I clean my sponges in tap water every week but I have well water. I do try to get the temperature of the tap water close with the tank. Never use hot water! 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Great tip! I didn't think about possibly matching the tap water temperature with the aquarium.

@AdriCr4ft 4 года назад

Well it depends. If you are based in the UK, or somewhere that they don’t use mixed taps it’s not recommended and this is for human consumption, not talking about fish because i think if it’s not good for us to drink then maybe it isn’t good to swim in either lol I don’t know but with a little research it is because it often comes from a storage tank within the home and is not as fresh as water directly from the mains or your pipes may not be copper like the cold water ones. hot water also dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold water, and many pipes in homes contain lead that can leach into water. in south Wales the water is very acid so a certain amount of copper from the hot water pipes and tank get dissolved out into the water. While making tea from this wouldn't kill you it would certainly taste disgusting. I have also read that Cold tap water is higher in oxygen than hot. 🤷‍♀️ I thought it was a good idea too but I had to mention this since when I moved to the UK I wasn’t aware about this either . We have Mix taps in Portugal so it would come from the main tap always. Thanks for your video very helpful And also Thanks for your hot water tip. I’m sure there are countries and people who know where their water sources come better than me

@bartamarine 3 года назад

My question I was looking for is... well I have a clay based fluorite, anytime you disturb the substrate it turns cloudy red and my sponge filter will eventually clear it but obviously be saturated with the particles. When I turn it off and remove it it’s like when I turn it off all the stuff starts leaching out... is it best to remove it and keep it on or turn it off and pull it up slowly? What’s the best option? I have a new planted snail and shrimp tank! Thanks!

@gerarditank5663 4 года назад

You are my favorite go to You Tube page for fish questions! Thank you for your great videos!

@ThisBraveHeart 3 года назад

I’ve been waiting for my shrimp to get shot out of the sponge filter that I just installed😂 Thanks for answering my questions!

@aorjarsrelaxingvideos6126 Год назад

The fish shop I go to, told me he cleans his sponge filters every 3 years in his shop (over 200 tanks) because of the beneficial bacteria 🙂 he also users dirty sponge filters in his quarantine tanks with 100% success.

@thirdaquino566 4 года назад

Hi do you use CO2 Diffuser for your aquatic tank(s)?

@Clone_Trooper-zh5cn 2 года назад

Do you have to clean the tube as well because I noticed its getting quite dirty?

@vanaheim8998 2 года назад

If you only have 1 sponge filter can some of the old tank water that's now full of the bacteria from filter be poured back into the aquarium. If you could use that water to help start a new aquarium can't you use it also on the same tank again but maybe mixed with your tap water for water change?

@commoncurt4569 4 года назад

Do you have any pictures or videos of when the AquaClear flooded?

@RhythmOfTheTides 4 года назад

Seeing "Girl Talks Fish" has uploaded a video is always the highlight of my day

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Oh my goodness, thank you! Totally made my day! :)

@ktylonox8646 2 года назад

How do I clean the Aquarium Co-op intake sponge on my power filter?

@marksguitars5617 4 года назад

great video once again, helpful and to the point, thank you! Stay safe!

@abejeffcruz7555 3 года назад

Hi Ma'am Irene .. is it okay to attach a sponge filter in power head?

@anoopjames7548 4 года назад

Other than a hob filter possibly sucking up your nano fish, is there any reason why you prefer sponge filters? Is it less maintenance or just easier maintenance compared to a HOB? Also, does it keep water cleaner than a HOB, to me (theoretically) a HOB would keep water cleaner as is sucks water through the filter hence cleaning more particles in the water. Interested to hear you experience with a sponge vs HOB? You probably did a video on this, let me check!:D

@galacticknight8322 4 года назад

I have a filter that makes a waterfall looking thing I noticed that it started making more bubbles and they don’t pop as fast as they used to I added fish decoration and rocks

@MB-fz8ov 2 года назад

i bought a smaller sponge filter like 5.5cm height one as that was only i could find in my country right now ... can i add bigger sponge to the filter or should i buy a bigger one as the bigger ones are not available currently

@kennethclarkbalones3761 4 года назад

Hi! I just wanna ask if is it harmful for my nano fishes that has a brown or yellow water and there's a lot of bubbles in the top of my tank?

@meganpate9758 3 года назад

Are sponge filters okay with plecos? My pleco likes to sit on my hang-on back filter and I was wondering if he will knock over the sponge filter or even damage it?

@pungr 3 года назад

My go to woman!

@swaygle 3 года назад

So by old tank water do you mean tank water that was syphoned out? For example, if I do a 25% water change, do I clean the sponge filter in that water?

@vinaybalakrishnan8869 3 года назад

Yes

@jonathanrussell7854 2 года назад

Hi often do you clean yours I only have a axolotl and a few fish

@freshstupidity6868 3 года назад

How do you replace. Tank water and how often

@ninarichards2046 3 года назад

How do you unclog a sponge filter? Like I know how to clean the sponge filter, but I have a few sponges where no bubbles are coming out at all. There is no surface agitation at all.

@Avfishes 11 месяцев назад

Does the tubing just go into the piece on top of the sponge filter?

@StarStar-tg1kq 3 года назад

Hi ive just made the mistake of washing my filter with tap water,and the day after my tank is cloudy and the sponge has a strange white colour to it,can you offer advice please?

@nattynoot 3 года назад

The shrimp getting shot out with the bubbles really took me out 😭😭😭

@GirlTalksFish 3 года назад

I love that shot... they're like "Wheeeee!" 😂

@DroneOn 4 года назад

I have always used the wring out method in old water during a water change. Not because it's superior, it's that I am a creature of habit. If it's not broken don't fix it mentality. If there was an obvious advantage. I would try it.

@ironfae 3 года назад

No matter what kind of fish you keep, you should definitely replace the sponges once a year. The build up of beneficial bacteria is good, but it will eventually take over the sponge pores after that long. Replacement sponges are super cheap and it’s better to keep spares anyway.

@coreytohme9861 2 года назад

Does rinsing the sponge in the old tank water remove the beneficial bacteria from the sponge?

@SakYoshi 2 года назад

can i clean with tap water if i add water conditioner

@portgasdasce96 3 года назад

Where can i bug those big objects like sponge Bob's house or big tree or other online

@inastaria5075 6 месяцев назад

Soooo.... Could you wash it in fresh tap water that's been treated with water conditioner? I don't have the ability to have old tank water just sitting around 😅

@Shetasen 3 года назад

Is the betta okay with the coarser sponges? I was looking at some sponges for a DIY sponge filter and could only find course ones and it was unsure if it would snag a betta's tail and fins.

@GirlTalksFish 3 года назад

In my experience, I haven't had any trouble with coarse sponges hurting betta fish. 👍

@Shetasen 3 года назад

@@GirlTalksFish thaks

@gautamji9840 Год назад

U look like a strict teacher. Idk why When I see your video I had feelings like if I skip it you will be starring at me in my dreams. 😂

@heavenboundfarm2159 4 года назад

Really like the show ..I don't use sponge filter because I don't know how to clean them Thank you

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Yay, glad it helped!

@maharanigladys 21 день назад

Hi, I want to ask: 1. For a 20x20x25 tank, do you need an aerator? There's already a hanging filter... 2. In the morning and afternoon I turn off the lights because there is sunlight, do I need to provide an aerator? 3. I will turn on the lights at night after I get home from the office around 9pm (because I'm in the bedroom, the AC is on 16°C 😅 so I need a light so the water isn't too cold🙈.. 4. Fill with low CO2 plants, bright fluorescent fish, guppies, mollies, platties, and ornamental shrimp.. 5. The tank is new and will be filled with tap water (in Indonesia, you can't drink tap water because it contains iron and chlorine). 6. what should I do and what do I have for my tank?

@markpurdie7608 10 месяцев назад

P water cleaning filter fine done it for years quickly its fine each to their own ✌

@markpurdie7608 10 месяцев назад

Tap

@kelsylynn9791 4 года назад

can you show us how to breed and raise kuhli loaches

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

I actually have a video on this! Just go to my RU-vid channel's main page and there's a search bar right next to the About tab.

@lelingage 4 года назад

How many gallons is that tank?

@SpiritAquatics 4 года назад

Are sponge filters littleraly just a sponge with an air stone to create suction? Do they not have biological filtration? They seem like mechanical only

@GirlTalksFish 4 года назад

Good question! They provide both mechanical filtration (by removing particles from the water) and biological filtration (because beneficial bacteria like to grow on the sponge and eat the organic waste passing through). They're not good for chemical filtration though.