djay Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I have just bought one of these is the water suppose to come out the top pipe I connected the air hose to the little skinny one. Help please Thanks Dianne and yes i am dopey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 hi, are you talking about the sponge filters because if you are yes the water does come out the bigger pipe, the air hose connects down the side of the filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djay Posted February 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hi yes that's right, do you have the water running out full on or should it be turned down some. I thought it would have little bubbles coming from the sponge. Thanks Again Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 The sponge acts as a filter which is perfect for fry etc to feed off. The water is drawn in through the sponge and pushed out the top along with oxygen. It depends what you are using it for as to whether you turn it down or not. If I have fry in the tank I turn it down and place the top of the outlet half in and half out of the water. For bigger fish I just leave it bubbling at full speed in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 They work because the air bubbles trap water between them and carry it out of the pipe. This causes a drop in water pressure inside the sponge so water runs through the sponge. This traps "gunge" in the sponge which is food for bacteria that then live in the sponge. These bugs convert urea from the fish to ammonia then nitrite then nitrate and this is where the "cycling" takes place. Therefore, you only want it bubbling slowly as it is the water between the bubbles you want not the bubbles, and it is a living system so you dont want to clean the filter unless it gets completely blocked up as the bacteria multiply to fit the gunge available and when you do clean it you only remove enough to free it up again. Some people say to clean it in aquarium water but I think it is best to just leave it as gunged up as you can while it is still working. I clean the excess off the sponge when syphoning gunge off the bottom of the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Thanks alanim - I knew what I was trying to say but didn't know how to put it. I also don't wash out the sponge filter just vacuum it when I'm cleaning the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djay Posted February 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hi thanks for that, only thing is my top pipe is to high its out of the water, should I cut it down so it's at water level . Thanks Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Don't know about cutting it off at the top but depending on what your tank is for I tilt mine over at an angle but thats in fry tanks, it slows down the bubbles and the amount of water going through it though. If its for a small permanent tank there is a smaller version of a sponge filter out (also can use charcoal in it) but have only seen it on trade me once. pm smcoleman he has them and they are used in his pretty small tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.