Sponge Filters

[Rxblade123]

I decided to use two sponge filters in my 46 gallon, but I'm not sure what air pump I should use. I've never used a sponge filter before. I had an old Elite 800 and I connected it to them both, but its not able to put enough air out. Since I have two sponge filters should I get an air pump rated for a larger tank or just an air pump rated for 50 gallons or so?

 

[toddnbecka]

Tetra Deep Water air pumps are good for pushing air into a taller tank, and have a lifetime guarantee. They use a rubber diaphragm and silicone flapper valves, but the design is more effective for some reason. Alternatively, a Whisper 20-60 is a decent dual-outlet pump too. I use one on a 30 long to run 2 sponge filters.

 

[Toirtis]

The new model (blue body) Hagen Optima pumps are great, too, but can be a bit more noisy.

 

[BrianNY]

and remember to use a check valve to prevent a back flow into the air pump.

 

[Rxblade123]

I'll go to my LFS in within a few days so hopefully I can get one of those air pumps. Anyways I have another question. Are there suppose to be bubbles in the sponge? When I first put them in the tank, I squeezed out as much of the air in the sponge as I could, but when I woke up today, one of them was floating and it had tons of air bubbles on it. It did have a weight in it too.

 

[An t-iasg]

It's normal for a new sponge to have air bubbles in/on it. It will become saturated with water and no bubbles will be visible in a few days, depending on how big the sponge is. I've only run sponge filters in my 5 gallon betta tanks. I do agree that the Tetratec Deep Water airpumps are good.