another sponge filter thread

[Flareside]

This week I am building a wall rack to hold ten gallon tanks for growing out some of my fry.
Each tank will hold a single species of fry. As luck would have it, I have 4 different species holding right now, so this would be a great time to get started with my build project. Currently I am planning to build a rack that would hold 6 tanks, though for now I will only be filling 4 of them. Instead of power filters I want to use a single large air pump powering 4 sponges (one per tank).

Keeping this build as economical as possible-where can I order the sponges from and what brand do you recommend? Approx cost ea.?

(I have never used a sponge filter in over 30 years in the hobby:lol:)

[joe_jaskot]

Jehmco - http://www.jehmco.com

[Afreakin]

Jehmco - http://www.jehmco.com

Ditto! :bandit:

[fischfan13]

The pump...
http://www.yourfishstuff.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=182&category_id=24&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

http://www.yourfishstuff.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/75ba029f5fa4b697e40d85ab4d8023db.jpg

[Bev N]

Jehmco.com for the hydro sponges.

www.swisstropicals.com for the foam to make you own filters. I think Pat said one sheet was enough to do 6 55 gallon tanks.

[phillyofish]

you can get the air stones from Jehmco to create the small bubbles. They are very helpful and can get you what you need if you tell them what you are trying to do. Speaking from past experience.

[fischfan13]

Spend the few extra cents and buy the better air stones.

[kbeaudean]

Cheapest place i've found for the hydor is Aquacave.com and we use the Luft pump and it runs about 8 or 9 sponge filters and we have not maxed them out yet.

[greyd]

I have about 90 tanks with sponge filters in them. I never use the hydros. I made some filters myself but mainly bought 4 X 4 sponge filters from angels plus or at our south jersey guppy meetings from george steckert for $4.00 a piece. I like having a biological 4 X 4 hunk of foam over the few inches of the hydros for a lot more money.

[emartin]

Spend the few extra cents and buy the better air stones.
I'm not sure but I think the brand name is Hagen Elite, they make really well built plastic airstones that seem very reliable in my opinion... I use those currently in all my sponge filters since the stone (or whatever those are, the blue ones) then to crumble over time...

~Ed

[nick a]

Thanks for that link Bev N! I've been looking for a source for bulk foam for a while:smilewinkgrin:

[Flareside]

thank you all for the great help on this. Let me make sure I understand completely:

The pump that Bill referenced is the way to go. Do these things have replaceable diaphrams though?

Also- on the sponge itself, opt for the more expensive coarse foam (not sure which model to buy for only ten gallons) and buy the other airstone with finer bubbles

[emartin]

thank you all for the great help on this. Let me make sure I understand completely:

The pump that Bill referenced is the way to go. Do these things have replaceable diaphrams though?

Also- on the sponge itself, opt for the more expensive coarse foam (not sure which model to buy for only ten gallons) and buy the other airstone with finer bubbles
I don't know about the diaphragms, but I have that same pump and it seems pretty well built and silent...and I love the dial on it that you can change how fast air gets pumped...

[emartin]

I'm not sure but I think the brand name is Hagen Elite, they make really well built plastic airstones that seem very reliable in my opinion... I use those currently in all my sponge filters since the stone (or whatever those are, the blue ones) then to crumble over time...

~Ed
This is the airstone I was talking about. Kensfish.com has them for $2.69 for a 6 pack:
"Elite Mist Air Stone"
http://www.kensfish.com/airstonesanddiffusers/A984_EL_AirDiffuser_6pcs_INT.jpg

Here's the link: http://www.kensfish.com/airstoneanddifusers.html

~Ed