Sponge filter not doing anything?

[Anna94]

I’ve had my sponge filter for a good year now and it’s not even gross or brown. Is it even doing anything in my tank? I have a powerhead on it.

 

[ZxC]

I’ve had my sponge filter for a good year now and it’s not even gross or brown. Is it even doing anything in my tank? I have a powerhead on it.

How is it set up exactly? when i think of a sponge filter it usually involves air bubbles moving water through the sponge.

 

[Fresh2o]

Do you have another filter in that tank? If so, then perhaps it is doing the bulk of cleaning.
Would you describe the sponge as coarse, medium, or fine? If it is coarse, then particulates will not get trapped in it.
What kind of powerhead are you using?
Pics would help.

 

[Potluck]

Your fluval f4 is probably most likely overpowering the sponge filter

 

[coralbandit]

You should pull the sponge and give it a squeeze in a bucket.Often my sponges will appear clean when in fact they are loaded with crap.I have run a power head on a sponge for many tanks and if you are feeding enough I would think it needs maintenance regularly.

 

[V227]

^^ +1 ^^
I'm with Bandit, the squeeze test will solve the mystery.