Closed Foam Filters And Beneficial Bacteria

I purchased a Seapora 30 breeder tank filter for my 10 gallon tank (one betta fish, three assassin snails) to replace current hob filter that creates too much current for my betta. I came across a review that states that it is a closed foam filter and therefore it "will not allow beneficial bacteria to grow within them". Is this true?

(My plan is to run this Seapora sponge filter concurrently with the hob filter for a month. Then replace the current hob with a new hob with adjustable flow. Within the next half year, I plan to upgrade my aquarium to a 20 gallon Long planted tank and have both filters running in that tank.)

 

I have never heard of that before. That is someone who either a: doesn't know what they are talking about, or b: work for a competing supplier of a different brand of sponge filter.

Take online reviews with a grain of salt. For example, I once read an online review of an ATI brand sponge filter. The reviewer stated how "it didn't work, "it did nothing", no water flows through it", "it is as good as a rock", etc etc. Then the guys says something like "there is no pump attached to to, so I don't know how water is supposed to be flowing through it to get filtered" !!

The knuckle head didn't realize sponge filters run off of air pumps and airstones!

It is possible that whoever said what you mentioned is thinking about open and closed cell foam insulation used in outer walls and attics of buildings. I think the closed cell foam insulation doesn't allow for water to be permeable.

Totally different than foam used in the aquarium hobby.

I have a large size HikarI "Bacto-Surge" sponge filter which I think is the same as yours, just rebranded under a different name.

Lift is generated by rising air bubbles. Water is drawn through the sponge then up and out the lift tube.

Sponge filters are one of the most effective and efficient biological and mechanical filters for an aqaurium.

Practically all professional and hobbyist breeders use them in their breeding, fry and grow-out tanks because of their low cost, ease of use, simplicity and effectiveness.

 

I'm guessing that unless the reviewer happened to get some knockoff with closed cell foam (like in furniture), they just misspoke. If you can see holes through the edges and water runs through it then its open cell foam.
Here's a video I liked that shows a real quick explanation of the difference, and how its made.

 

Read any number of reviews on the internet...for any kind of product...and it quickly becomes apparent that a good portion of them are written by people who haven't a clue what the product is even supposed to do, much less how it is supposed to do it. It's important to read between the lines and get a feel for whether or not the reviewer is qualified to give a useful review.

In this case, it's apparent that he isn't! I know nothing about this product, but if it uses a sponge filter through which water is circulated, either by a water pump or an airlift mechanism, it is going to act as a substrate for a colony of beneficial bacteria.

OP, your plan for upgrading your filtration and eventually your tank seems very well-thought-out. Good luck!

 

Thank you all - your replies have been very helpful.

 

16degus , since it looks like you're performing your due diligence for planning your future 20 gallon long build, here is a link to the forum thread for adding DIY filter media to HOB filters.

It offers different ideas for inexpensive and effective solutions to boost your HOB's mechanical and biological filtration.

As for HOB's with adjustable flow, for a budget filter I would recommend looking into Petsmart Silentstream filters. I would consider buying one only of it was on sale (which they regularly are for 20%- 50% off). Their regular full price is way too high.

For a few more dollars you can get into an Aquaclear (fluval).

Top Fin (petsmart in-house brand) Silentstream get a very bad rap. The majority of complaints come down to user error, or unrealistic performance expectations. For example their 20 gallon rated filter is better suited for a 10 gallon or a very lighting stocked 20 gallon with plants.

They link I provided goes into further detail as to why Silentstreams aren't that bad when they are set up properly.

It also goes into detail about the Aquaclears.

Let us know how your 20 gallon long build goes later in the year!

 

Thanks Islandvic for the advice and the link. I have already purchased the Aquaclear 20 – now feel reassured about this filter.

 

Fantastic choice!