Bio Sponge Filter

DIY Sponge Filter

Sponge filters are very important to your aquariums eco system, this type of filter allows beneficial bacteria to grow and regulate your aquariums water and this is important especially to reduce the amount of dissolved ammonia in the water it breaks it down into less harmful compound.

Other advantages of using the sponge filter is that, it is easy to operate and maintain because all you need to do is to rinse the sponge. The item is also not expensive, if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person; you could even construct your own DIY sponge filter.

How to make your own sponge filter.

Materials needed are:

• Piece of 8x3x4 inches sponge
• 3×4 inch piece of glass ¼” thick
• 1 small tube clear silicone
• 9” length ½” PVC pipe
• Air tube hose
• Sand paper
• Drill to punch holes

 

Instructions

How a Sponge Filter Works (follow the arrows). It sucks the water through the sponge, traps the debris, filters it, then sends it up the pipe back into your aquarium.

 

1. Cut sponge to desired size (depending on your tank size)
2. Prepare the piece of glass for the filter base by sanding surface.
3. Spread silicone onto the glass surface evenly, also on the sponge, put both sides together and leave to dry overnight.
4. Use a knife to punch a hole in the middle of the sponge to accommodate PVC pipe.
5. Use drill to punch holes at the bottom section of the pipe (8 to 12 holes).
6. Punch a single hole about 1 to 2 inches from the top, place the air tube down the middle of the pipe midway down, then into the sponge.
7. Place sponge filter in aquarium, the weight of the glass will allow it to sink and remain stable in your aquarium; connect the other end of the air tube to your air pump.

Always remember the bigger the sponge the more surface you will have for beneficial bacteria to blossom.

 

Great for Fries

Sponge filters are also important for breeders, as this type of filter works well when hatching eggs, or for newly hatched fries. This does not mean you are to avoid using other mechanical type of filters to remove hard waste, essentially sponge filters regulate the chemistry of your water, mechanical filters works well with larger fishes that past

Inexpensive sponge filter . 

a lot of waste in shorter periods. Mechanical filters come in the form of hang-on and canister. Using this filter is detrimental to your fries as the flow is too heavy and it will eventually suck them in.  When rearing fries (small fish) sponge filter creates the right amount of agitation, aeration, environment for your fries to grow rapidly.