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I think it all depends on the type of shrimps you are planning to rear. Perhaps an Eden 501 external filter would be better? If budget is a problem perhaps a hang on filter would be ok too.
I would like to get a sponge filter for my upcoming shrimp tank. Any recommendations? Will a normal sponge filter do the job? Or should I go for something "better"? Not too sure what I should buy.
FYI, it's a 1ft cube tank so the size of the sponge filter must be small.
don't worry, be happy
I think it all depends on the type of shrimps you are planning to rear. Perhaps an Eden 501 external filter would be better? If budget is a problem perhaps a hang on filter would be ok too.
I agree. Get a better filter like eden external filter (good being able to have biological filtration, very important for shrimp).Originally Posted by limchongyu
Initially i started with a hang over filter (mainly for mechanical, low budget), regretted and switched over to eden 501 (pay extra for a lesson). So i will recommend you to get a better filter rather to save on some $$$ (which will incur more is you want to make a switch).
Good luck
why drink and drive when one can smoke and fly.
yup. its better to invest in a better filter for the future. jus in case u the shrimps u have breed.
a better filter would be able to handle the bioload.
Maybe can you share with me why did you regret using the hang over filter?
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i am keeping cherries only. i saw with my own eyes people breeding cherries successfully with air pump and air stones in the tank only. if they can do it that way, then i think a sponge filter will still be better off than just bubbles produced by air stone. correct me if i am wrong.
i just want to have something simple and practical. IMO, an Eden 501 is "overkilled" for a small shrimp tank and i do not like to have hoses running around. prefer something neat and tidy.
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I would appreciate recommendation for a good sponge filter.
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Initially with hang over filter everything seems good with about 10 CRS (maybe more sensitive for water condition) for about 2 months. After i bought 2 pregnant shrimp and it gave birth to over 20 shrimplets, then things started happening. Shrimp started dying 1 by 1 (majority of the shrimp), no idea what causes the death. But since the introduction of the eden 501 there are little casualty (about 2 for 2 weeks). But the death stopped after 2 weeks (the tank now coming to the 6 weeks).
I cannot assure that it is the fiilter that stablise the tank. But is should help in a way or 2, which you can read from other bro in the forum. And most used cannister.
There are also success like people rearing in tank with just airpump, but very tough to achieve that.
Cheers
I'm using 4 sponge filters for a 1.5ft CRS tank with 30-40+ CRS.
Founder of theWaterBox
hi prec
which type of sponge filter/s are you using? is it those common ones that cost a few dollars each? i am trying to look for a small one with a power head.
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thank you for sharing but honestly i don't think Eden 501 makes a big difference. i will still stick to my plan of having a sponge filter for the time being unless i am totally convinced that the small cannister filter does "miracle". once again thank you very much for sharing.
don't worry, be happy
if your tank is a 1ft cube, i would highly recommend using at least a HOB filter. this is as the space within your tank is already very small, and to use an internal filter would take up precious floor space. furthermore, it is rather unsightly as it is hard to scape the small tank such that the filter can be concealed.
maintenance would also be harder with a sponge filter. it would have to be removed from inside the tank to be cleaned and such disturbance might affect your shrimp firstly because pulling the filter out might release trapped debris into the water and affect water quality, secondly because your hands dipping into the water so often might end up in diasaster unless you diligently ensure that they are clean without even a trace of contaminant every single time you maintain and thirdly because the shrimp might not appreciate the constant disturbance in the tank. furthermore, if you have scaped to hide the filter, it might be too big a hassle to remove and reposition the filter at each maintenance.
a HOB/canister also provides better filtration as better forms of media than sponge can be used. this provides a larger surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise and would provide more efficient filtration. there would also be space for mechanical filtration that is easily replaced.
using a HOB/canister will not provide a "miracle", but it would make your life much easier and your tank much prettier...hope this helps
Yup its those few bucks type. Black with "sunken" lines. It comes with a weight also and an inlet for the air tube to connect. I prefer these over those with powerhead as it reduces the heat source to the tank.
Founder of theWaterBox
Never create what you can't control
One way to look at it is that, you can fill your HOB/cannister filter with the media type that you wanted. Potentially, you can stuff it with media to provide much better mechanical and biological filtration than a sponge filter can.
In a worst case scenario, when water conditions turn bad (due to accidental overfeeding, high bioload, decomposing/rotting materials in the tank, etc), HOB/cannister filter will be better equipped to deal with it. It does not necessary mean this will work all the time, but the chances of coping with it is higher, you won't lose too much sleep over this.
Needless to say, using sponge filter provides very very easy maintenance, easy to clean, easy to set up etc, just that you have to be more prepared in a worst case scenario.
But then worst case scenarios often come in huge proportions, so maybe it won't matter.
In the end, it all boils down to your personal choice. It is not like with HOB/cannister, you won't need to maintain the water conditions (e.g. weekly water changes) and so on.
Thank you very much for all the advice. I have decided to go ahead with a HOB filter instead of a normal sponge one. It will provide some space for media like biohome, ceramic ring, etc, which will provide better mechanical and biological filtration that is beneficial for the shrimps and in the long run.
One way to look at it is that, you can fill your HOB/cannister filter with the media type that you wanted. Potentially, you can stuff it with media to provide much better mechanical and biological filtration than a sponge filter can.
In a worst case scenario, when water conditions turn bad (due to accidental overfeeding, high bioload, decomposing/rotting materials in the tank, etc), HOB/cannister filter will be better equipped to deal with it. It does not necessary mean this will work all the time, but the chances of coping with it is higher, you won't lose too much sleep over this.
Needless to say, using sponge filter provides very very easy maintenance, easy to clean, easy to set up etc, just that you have to be more prepared in a worst case scenario.
But then worst case scenarios often come in huge proportions, so maybe it won't matter.
In the end, it all boils down to your personal choice. It is not like with HOB/cannister, you won't need to maintain the water conditions (e.g. weekly water changes) and so on.
don't worry, be happy
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