|
Post by Carl on Oct 19, 2018 12:59:20 GMT -5
I've updated the Sponge Filter Information; Use article Here is an excerpt: The pictures to the left and right shows a solution for high bio-load and larger aquariums in need of higher flow filters, but still desiring good fine mechanical filtration that will not impede overall flow.
The unique AAP Hydro Sponge 5 Combo (left) as well as the unique AAP 1-3 PRO Combo (pictured to the right) combines the patented ATI 5 Pro and 5 Standard (#3 PRO & Hydro Sponge #1 in the 1-3 PRO Combo). These can be used with either a power head or air pump and will easily work in aquariums 60 gallons or larger for the 5 combo (or smaller if need be) or 50 or less for the 1-3 Combo (or larger if multiple used). Our large professional aquarium maintenance company's experience suggests redundancy is usually best, so even where the larger size of the #5 Combo might be called for, I suggest considering TWO of the #3/1 Pro Combos instead (which are also easier to hide and could be split to opposite sides of the aquarium for better circulation).
These filters will also easily out perform both mechanically more importantly, biologically most all "Hang on the Back" filters including the larger Aqua Clears. Make sure when rinsing, that the fine standard sponge is always on the top for optimum effectiveness since water will always follow the path of least resistance and using the PRO reticulated sponge on top will not allow much water flow through the fine sponge.
Exclusive Product Resources: *Hydro Sponge #5 Combo *Hydro Sponge #1-3 PRO ComboCarl
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Dec 23, 2018 11:34:24 GMT -5
I've further updated the Aquarium Sponge Filter Use article Here is an excerpt: "The type of sponge material can affect both mechanical and biological filtration. This is where many of the cheap knock offs, or even name brand sponge filters such as the Lees sponge filter, do not perform as well. Not all sponge materials are created equal! These utilize pores that are too fine and are made with a foam material that is too dense resulting in poor flow, clogging, and a far less than desirable biological function. Unfortunately with the flood of low quality sponge filters now dominating the hobby, along with the "cut & paste nature of the Internet including YouTube Videos/Facebook, many otherwise knowledgeable aquarium keepers do not understand this and the fact a good sponge filter such as the AAP Hydro sponge (both regular & PRO) or DIY filters using HMF (Hamburger Mattenfilter) can in fact out perform any comparably sized HOB filter in both mechanical and in particular bio filtration.
The picture shows the two types of patented sponges made by ATI/AAP HydroSponge where the pore density is obvious and quite different from just about any other sponge filter available. The patented reticulated "PRO" sponges are for higher flow and more coarse particulates. While the standard patented sponges are for lower flow, but smaller particulates.
A good test of the quality of the sponge material is when you go to rinse/clean the sponge. Upon removal, the patented AAP Hydro Sponge filter along with all others will likely drip some of the trapped "yuk" from your aquarium while removing if you are not careful due to material trapped just at the surface. However upon rinsing in a bowl or small bucket of used aquarium water, one will often find it does not take nearly as many squeezings to clear most every sponge made as when compared to the Hydro sponges which will often take 2 or 3 buckets of clean rinse water to clear since these sponges trap/hold so much more!!!
As well, the cheap knock offs may look like the Hydro Sponge regular in particular, but besides trapping much less as per the rinsing, it is also noteworthy that these cheap knocks will sometimes shed bits & pieces of the sponge with each rinsing. This is a HUGE difference, as I have in particular a couple #2 Regular AAP Hydro Sponge Filter sponges that while not in perfect condition, are still holding together after nearly a decade!! Be careful to no judge all sponge filters by these look alike cheap knock offs!
Another controlled test that involved many aquariums (some with equal bio loads along with controls), where regular high capacity Hydro Sponges, PRO Sponges, and a mixture of other sponges & filters were used; I would then add a measured amount of pureed fish food and then tracked ammonia & nitrite spikes. The aquariums of a MIX of both types of Hydro Sponges performed best, while others responded differently depending upon the original bio load. The low quality sponge material as well as many HOB filters responded worst"Carl
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 13, 2019 12:55:57 GMT -5
I've further updated the Best Aquarium Sponge Filtration | How Sponge Filters Work by AAP article Here is an excerpt: " Sponge Filtration Overview
Sponge filtration is an often overlooked type of filtration for both large and small freshwater tanks and bowls, and even ponds or marine aquariums. Many aquarists look past these filters because of their simplicity, but therein lies their quality. I have used these filters for my aquarium maintenance business for 40 plus years with excellent results in freshwater, saltwater and ponds. It is also noteworthy that the concept is not new, dating back at least to the early 1960s with the Lustar or Hamburger Mattenfilter Sponges. (The picture to the left is a Hydro Sponge #1 in a 6 x 6 x 6 Betta tank.)
The best sponge filters (such as the Patented Hydro Sponge Filters) can be used to compliment another filter, such as a power "hang on back" (HOB) or canister filter, or even as a stand alone filter, as per our extensive controlled tests. We found that only fluidized sand bed filters out perform sponge filters for aerobic bio filtration. In fact I, and many other aquarium professionals, have used sponge filters as the only source of aquarium filtration.
With this in mind, people purchasing one of the many 'Aquarium Kits' sold at Walmart and elsewhere would be much better off with a superior bio-filtration such as our Sponge Filter Kit instead.
As a bio filter, most premium sponge filters (such as our Premium Hydro Sponge Filter) are vastly superior to Under Gravel Filters and even superior to comparably rated HOB filter as per extensive controlled tests performed by us in the 1990s. This is due to the very porous nature of a sponge filter that allows for extensive colonization of nitrifying bacteria, assuming your aquarium or pond is adequately circulated.
Please note that many sponge filters and even patent infringing "knock offs" made by a variety of brands (such as Lees, Tetra, Hagen, SF-XY, XY-380, AquaTop) are NOT made of the same patented sponge material as ATI's patented Hydro sponges. Thus these do not perform nitrification at the same level, as my tests confirmed in the 1990s, often by a LARGE margin due to a much more porous design that simply traps more debris and allows more bacterial colonization. "Carl
|
|