Sponge filter for shrimp tank

[vaynard]

Is it possible to have a shrimp tank just running on purely sponge filter? Any adverse effects?

[rwalker]

I have Cherry Shrimp in a tub with just sponge filter, but with plenty of moss and hornwort. Started off with just 10 and they have since breed like nobody. I do water change twice a week.

I am not not sure what shrimp do you have in mind when you are this question though... (disclaimer )

[vaynard]

any CO2 injected? substrate used? what are the lightning hours for your setup?

[bryant_16]

hi vaynard, what shrimps are you keeping? if for the long run, i would recommend you to change to a better filter type, not that sponge filter is not good. But let say next time the shrimps get alot, other filter type is able to handle the bioload...

[vaynard]

i now short of filters because my eden is with my other planted tank. Wonder if hang on filter will be sufficient because that's the only filter i have left besides my sponge filter. Would like to try some low grade CRS and cherry shrimps.

[bryant_16]

I tried one tank with a small hang on filter for 1ft tank, it worked well but you have to bear in mind the flowrate of the hang on filter. And attach a sponge to the inlet of the filter to prevent any shrimplets from getting sucked into the filter...

[vaynard]

another thing will be that my moss always turn yellow on me when it comes to shrimp tank. how to maintain the greeness of the moss?

[bryant_16]

How long do you leave your lights on?

[vaynard]

8-10 hrs usually. because i switch on when i go school and off when i come home.

[bbpippen]

another thing will be that my moss always turn yellow on me when it comes to shrimp tank. how to maintain the greeness of the moss?

bro inject co2 and your mosses wont only turn green but will grow very fast!

[peter2883]

It's always advisable to use a canister for tanks as a sponge filter does not do as good a job as a canister... Canisters are better at breeding bb...

But I've always been using a canister... I tried using a ohf before but at the end of the day I trust a canister more...

[torque6]

Shrimps usually goes with canister if possible, i used to have a gex HOF but it proves to be too much turbulence for my yamotos, some even got trap on the slope of the filter and ended up whirling around....

[Jungle-mania]

Biotope uses a unique sponge filter contraption that uses an air pump. It is cheap and effective and easy to maintain. great for a small tank, but abit too much for a 2 feet tank onwards.

[Savant]

I have my crs tank in a moss/algae overgrown office tank with a overhead filter, as the setup has not been maintained in a very long time. the filtration is at best a trickle, but the crs population just keeps booming!

[SOLAR TANHK]

Every filter have its pros and cons. You just have to have a balance for the tank,-Shrimp load,feeding,temperature,plants,flow etc..
Sponge filter can also acts as a feeding ground for the shrimps but the cycling of waste will not be as efficient as the canister. But the main thing is that it does not have any direct mechanical motor to contribute to the temperature increase. This is, i believe, important for the heat sensitive CRS that is being kept in a chillerless tank.

Savant, congratulation!!
I believe your tank's population is the envy of many CRS keepers. The tank somehow found a balance and stable enviroment that made the CRS very happy. Can i say that your office is air-conditioned. This helps to keep the temperature in checks. This " the setup has not been maintained in a very long time " also probably makes your tank very stable, but it will also made your tank and the CRS super sensitive to changes. This is because they have got very used to the conditions in the tank.
Just a little word of cautions if you dont mind. If finally you are free and want to do some maintance, please do not do a big one. Some small(maybe 5% or even lesser) water changes first, then maybe partial cleaning of the filter floss.(with the tank water)