30 Gallon Tank Help with tank filter confusion

Hey I'm new to all of this so I need some help. I've recently wanted to setup my fish tank but a couple things I'm confused about. I bought a power filter, I'm also planning on getting a heater and a air pump. I'm about confused when it comes to the air pump situation. I see that u would need a sponge filter to attach the air pump to. But I'm a bit confuse on if you need a power filter and sponge filter. Do you need just one? Or both?

 

Welcome! You don’t need to run both, although a lot of people run multiple filters on their tanks.

You could just run an airstone on the airpump and use the other filter on its own if its sufficient for the tank, or use the filter and a sponge filter on the airpump meaning you have two methods of filtration. Depends on the size of the tank, the stocking and the size of the filter as to whether you need additional filtration though, so we could probably do with knowing that.

 

Welcome! You don’t need to run both, although a lot of people run multiple filters on their tanks.

You could just run an airstone on the airpump and use the other filter on its own if its sufficient for the tank, or use the filter and a sponge filter on the airpump meaning you have two methods of filtration. Depends on the size of the tank, the stocking and the size of the filter as to whether you need additional filtration though, so we could probably do with knowing that.

It's a power filter for a 40 gallon tank. Would that be enough?

 

It's a power filter for a 40 gallon tank. Would that be enough?

Hi. That will depend on the tank in question size? Edit sry it's 30 gallon in title. I would probably add extra filtration. Often filter manufacturer claims are a bit exaggerated.

 

Okay thanks I appreciate it. I guess I'll be adding a sponge filter also

 

I know you already have a filter, but I don't like how sponge filters look so I would get a larger HOB (hang on the back) filter, say one for a 60 gallon tank. I'd use an air stone with the air pump cause I like how the bubbles look.

 

I know you already have a filter, but I don't like how sponge filters look so I would get a larger HOB (hang on the back) filter, say one for a 60 gallon tank. I'd use an air stone with the air pump cause I like how the bubbles look.

Or a bubbling volcano, or a treasure chest with diver, or...

 

I have a hang on back and sponge combo in just about all my tanks. I figure if I want to have air in the tank and thus need a pump, I may as well add a sponge filter to the set up.

This way, there is also a backup if the hang on back filter stops working or another tank's filter goes kaput.