*Do you use air stones with your sponge filters?* Comment below to share your experiences, and subscribe if you want to see more this videos like this! goo.gl/4q2idY
@@johnlasay1578 Basically if the air pump is located below the sponge filter, water will flow through the airline tubing and get the air pump wet if the power ever gets turned off. The check valve prevents the water from damaging the air pump and leaking everywhere in case of a power outage. 👍 If the air pump is located higher than the sponge filter, no need for a check valve.
Quick note- I don’t recommend airstones for small tanks. I have one in a ten gallon and I had to use wire cutters to even get the stone to fit in mine. The bubbles were a bit smaller but it wasn’t a huge difference. I can see why it would work in a bigger sponge filter though.
Thanks for the guide! My air pump didn't include directions for which way the check valve should be attached, but with your help I got everything up and running smoothly!
I finally understand bc she speaks in a very articulate way. The other videos spend to much time talking about extra irrelevant stuff..I just needed to know how it’s setup!! Thank you so much!! 🙏💪❤️
i just bought the filter part 😭 didn’t know it wouldn’t come with tubing or an air pump. Thanks for the information i’ll have set it up in a few more weeks.
What I did is for 3 tanks I used one pump and connected them with T connectors. 2 bowls have air stones and two have filters and water controllers to even the flow
Thank you thank you thank you! Every video I've seen talks all about the filters, but not at all about the air pump or valves. I will definitely refer to this video when I go to set up my filter.
Yay, I'm so glad you found the video helpful! I don't know why I was so intimidated by sponge filters when I first got started, so I'm glad I can spread the knowledge. :)
This video explained everything I needed to know so much better than the instructions! I did end up using the method you used for the air stone in a short tube in a long tube bc I couldn’t get my airline tubing to connect to my bullseye on the inside, but it works just as well IMO! Thanks so much :)
Great video! Can you explain “HOW AND WHEN” it’s ok to switch from a regular filter system to a sponge? Do i leave my canister or HOB running for a period of time WITH the sponge or do I just remove the filter and put in the sponge?
@@vcsadler19 I just bought a sponge filter to replace my internal canister filter and I'm running both next to each other for a couple of weeks so the bacteria can spread to the new one.
@@jacinthaarulanantham6682 Omgaaaa, this was 3 years ago & made me laugh so hard!! It is a piece of cake to assemble the spongue filter!! I still have my betta tank too🌊🪸🐠
Because they assume that we're supposed to know something when it's brand new to us.I don't know why. When you have someone that's brand new, you take it step by step, you say it slow and twice if necessary.
Looks like this year old video is a gift that keeps on giving. I just got my 1st sponge filter to supplement my Canister Filter. It was brand new but didn't come with instructions for set up. I guess the company thinks it's pretty self explanatory. Well it really isn't, not for people who never used 1 before. I didn't even know I could take it apart like that. Thank You for showing me how to assemble it and also the airstone tip. Much appreciated.
I just got two of the Fluval sponge filters that are designated for 75 gallons each for my 110 aquarium and it has the fine sponge. I’m okay with cleaning it weekly because my plecos I pulled out of my pond I’m over wintering like to uproot my elodea haha but I’m just going to experiment with it because I like my water crystal clear and free of most debris. I so thankful for you and others because you guys help out sooooo very much with aquariums and you guys don’t even know it. Thank you and the rest of the fish community on RU-vid because without you guys I’d be still in the stone age as far as aquariums go.
Thank you for taking time to make tutorial. A huge thank you for getting to the point without rambling extra stuff that doesn't have anything to do with what your showing us! All your tips are very helpful. Your explanations are clear and to the point. Much appreciated!
Girl Talks Fish saves the day again! Just got my first sponge filter supplies and was completely lost with assembly. Your tips and tricks are wonderful - thank you!!!!
thank you so so SO much! i am setting up my first all shrimp tank (5.5gal and cherries) and i had no idea how to do this... but now I know!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
what kind of light is that you have on your tank? How does it attach exactly? I am looking to not have to spend $100 or more on a grow light for my 12 gallon betta tank. Thanks I love your videos!
I’m going to get my first sponge filter for my beta tonight!! i’ve done so much research but i’m watching more videos just to be sure! Thanks for the video!
You are my go to for resources pertaining to fish care for this very nervous fish owner. So,Thank you so much for all your knowledge, and detailed instructions about caring for our aquatic companions!
I inserted the stone into the filter, seeing several recommendations that it would be more effective, as for the noise, it was quieter before I inserted the stone, now the stone produces more noise 😂
I chuckled when you said about the witches brew in your video, and laughed hard when it did it when i turned it on. So true! The stone is a must by the sounds of it. I can't listen to that bubbling away all night! Great lesson. Thank you.
I think you're the most normal youtuber, because you explained how to submerge that damn sponge filter haha😂. I just had major issues and felt like the stupidest person alive🤦♀️. But thanks to you I could resolve my unclarity! Thank you very much! ❤❤❤❤💗
Thank you so much! Haha, I felt so stupid too since I had no idea to put one of these things together. Glad I could share the knowledge and hopefully help others figure it out. 🤗
I'm a beginner and just hooked up the mini size Aquarium Solutions sponge filter. The bubbles were too large for the little tank I was going to use it in (little Aquatop one will stay instead). The box and website doesn't mention using an airstone... is it possible I am actually SUPPOSED to use one anyway? I know some brand are indeed supposed to use one.
I really needed this! I just recently got an aquarium and some plants and the plants came with little blue hitchhiker shrimp! I think some are being lost to my filter so I need a sponge filter but I couldn't find ANYWHERE online an easy, step by step guide on how exactly to set up a sponge filter. You're a shrimp saver!
I'm a big fan of HOB-filters and have an AquaClear that I absolutely love! But I'm getting a betta after Christmas and the flow is a bit to intense, so I just got my first sponge filter, and this video has been super helpful 👌
@@GirlTalksFish I already got him! Well, my friend got him for me and he lives with her until I take him with me after Christmas break. He is a black crowntail, might be some silver or blue in him aswell - he is difficult to photograph 😅
Emma Eriksdotter Oh my goodness, he sounds _gorgeous!_ Lucky little guy gets to come home with you. Have fun with him and hope you have a merry Christmas! 🎄🎁☃️
Thank you for the information, first time using the sponge filter and I thought it was missing some components, now I know.. air stone and check valves.
Do you recommend using the top fin brands for sponge filters and pumps? I went to petco and they had no sponge filters so I went to PetSmart and bought the top fin sf 20 and the air 2000 air pump. Did I make a mistake or should I be good?
You specifically compare the AquaClear HOB versus a sponge filter, which is not really a good example. I would suggest checking out the Seachem ‘Tidal’ HOB filter. It’s a much better version to compare with.
So, I have been using a sponge filter for ages without an airstone inside and recently added one as per this video, I have to remove the spokes to add one and I don't know it feels like maybe the filter isn't working the same? I went to clean the filter today and it wasn't dirty and the tank is dirty, makes me think I've broken things?
Totally came back to rewatch this for my shrimp tank!! Also the first time I watched this, I was like “pshh I don’t need a check valve” - fast forward three weeks later when my power went out while I was at work and the water siphoned out of my tank down to the air pump. Ugh, lesson learned - listen to ALL the tips of the video :) thank you for the tips!!!!!!
Yes! That totally happened to my baby brine shrimp hatchery. It wasn't an actual aquarium so I didn't think to put a check valve on it either... and then we got a power outage. 😂
I was just wondering cus I took of the base... So now the bubbles come out from the bottom, does it still function? I wanted to use it floating on the top to skim the top of the water.
Thanks! I had a challenging time finding a simple explanation of which direction to install my check valve until I found your video. Thanks again for keeping it simple!
Loved your article on Aurstone posted at the Aquarium Co-Op blog! Made some good changes because of it. Also, the study you made validated some air decisions we've been making intuitively. Keep it up! You're helping the hobby -- especially for beginners like us!
Oh, I'm so glad you read my article! Cory from Aquarium Co-Op was actually the one who did the original experiments, so I'm just helping him by writing blog posts for him. :)
I though she was about to say , and also, a towel underneath the pump in case it overflows the whole house, I have a handy towel to start squeezing and drying 🤭
I use the cheap double-sponge filters from eBay. The ones with the suction cups instead of weighted bases. I do not use air stones, because my filters have a crude air diffuser molded into the plastic. They are quiet, and they can easily remove 2ppm of ammonia in 8 hours. I'm running 4 of them. Best $12 I ever spent.
Thanks a ton. I was in a hope to check about how to connect air valve. Only yours was available. Thank you. Also I wish to know more about how to maintain single flower horn fish. Temperature , food, timings and if any other things I shud do to maintain my single flower horn aquarium. Would much appreciate. Thank you.
Do you need to have a check valve? What is the purpose of it? In my sponge kit, it came with a check valve and a control air pressure valve. Do I need both?
You should use a piece of styrofoam or draw liner under your air pump. The gap under your pump allows air flow to cool the pump. Having it set up the way you do makes the pump work harder (wears out faster)and could (probably)won’t but could cause a fire if a hotspot happens in the pump motor. Just saying not trying to be a pro.
This is great. Could you do a set by step of how to cycle a tank (if you haven't already). There's so much conflicting info and so many in the hobby say get used media from a friend, great but no one I know keeps fish.
I have used stones inside my sponge filter but they can block and the smaller bubbles create less lift ,,,I personally think they are not great for 15 gallon and smaller but they cause gas exchange and great for shrimp
Are you talking about that clear uplift tube? Wow, that is weird. I wonder if the ring where it inserts is clogged up or if it's just not well-made and isn't a good fit. Worse to worse, you can remove the uplift tube and the sponge filter should still work just fine.
Hi, Thank you for a great video! Do you know, if I install two spongefilters in a aquarium. One large and One small/medium can I take out the small one if I needed to set up an quarantine / hospitaltank fast, without crashing the Main tank? Thank you.
What are the slots on the inner parts for? I’m always worried that if I don’t line up the holes then it will mess with the suction to some degree… searching for a few hours and NOBODY mentions it ever
When I first worked at my part time job they forgot to add the no-return (check valve) to the air powered undergravel systems leaving it over night before they attached the tubing to anything. Caused an entire tank to be drained and flooded the floor. It's an essential part of an air powered filteration that can easily get forgotten, personally I'd have it even if the air pump is above the tank just in case you want to move it in the future.
So true! It's weird because I think sponge filters are easier to run than HOB filters, but the setup instructions seem to be slightly more complicated for people to understand because of little things like check valves. :P
@@GirlTalksFish In the UK HOB's aren't used. The only ones stores might sell are Seachem's Tidal one. We use internals and externals a lot. Even the sponge filters aren't that common but more so then HOB's. From mainland Europe they seem to have a similar opinion on HOB's. I brought two HOB's back from the USA, the Marineland one wont run, not sure why and the Aquaclear has such a slow flow compared to internals and I find they don't contain as much space for media. I do agree, sponge filters in the UK rarely come with instructions, I had to work out mine.
@@FreshwaterIchthyology Very interesting! I love learning about what other countries do in the fish keeping hobby. Thanks so much for giving me a peek into common filtration practices in the UK. :)
Is there a sponge filter set up you recommend for a 2.5 gallon betta tank? I'm planning on buying a all glass rectangular aquarium with a glass hood. Will be a planted tank and just one betta of course.
Yes! Here's one of my favorite nano sponge filters: www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/filters/products/aquarium-co-op-coarse-sponge-filter?variant=29459429228613
@@GirlTalksFish Thank you so much! For some reason I had trouble finding a filter small enough. I found two filters but this one seems superior. Now if only I could find an air pump that isnt too strong for my nano tank. Thanks again!
Hi idk if you would know but I want to install one in a small tank too, unfortunately the air pump won’t be here until Tuesday & I already changed the water, so my question is when would I be able to put my sponge in the tank? (Like would I have to get new water or can I just put it in with the water it already has?)
Dead Dog www.amazon.com/U-picks-Aquarium-Gallon-Quietest-Accessories/dp/B07RRNDMXJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=u+picks+mini+air+filter&qid=1571021315&sr=8-7 Also here is a link to a smaller air pump
Years ago, I was encouraged to connect a power head to a sponge filter (for larger tanks). It seems unnecessary, and the sponge must need more frequent cleaning, but I prefer to not circulate air in and out of my aquarium in my basement fish room (I wanna keep the room dry)
Hii, I did that with a really similar sponge filter similar sizes too (really tiny) and did the thing of passing the air tube through till is inside with the air stone and I placed the filter a bit up for the bubbles to really appear. The thing is I'm not sure if it's really cleaning and absorbing the poop.
