Sponge filter too big or too small? Is there such a thing?

I have a 5.5 gallon tank which I want to get a sponge filter for because right now I have a power filter with pretty strong current. The best rated one I could find was rated for a 50 gallon tank. Is that overkill? Can you go overkill with sponge filters? I am just wondering for the well-being of my betta. Could it be too strong?
I was looking at this tiny, tiny, tiny filter that is 2.8x2.2 inches too small even for a 5.5?

 

IMHO, you can't go too big, but in a 5 gallon aquarium, you will be losing a lot of space to your filter. Check out these..hydro sponge filter. You can get them from Ken's Fish , E-Bay, or Amazon I use the Hydro #3 in my 20g, and it's pretty big. The MinI or #1 should be all you need in your 5g.

 

IMHO, you can't go too big, but in a 5 gallon aquarium, you will be losing a lot of space to your filter. Check out these...Hydro sponge filter You can get them from Ken's Fish , E-Bay, or Amazon I use the Hydro #3 in my 20 gallon, and it's pretty big. The MinI or #1 should be all you need in your 5 gallon.

So I could use the small one I mentioned? I am on a very tight budget and it's only 9 bucks.

 

So I could use the small one I mentioned? I am on a very tight budget and it's only 9 bucks.

That's about the same size as the Hydro MinI (Sponge Size; 2.25" H x 2.75" W (Recommended for 1/2 gal. up to 10 gal.)), so I would think it would be all right.

Just remember that the new sponge will have to run for a few weeks along with the old filter, in order to build a BB colony, otherwise you'll end up doing a fish-in cycle if you remove the old filter too soon.

 

That's about the same size as the Hydro MinI (Sponge Size; 2.25" H x 2.75" W (Recommended for 1/2 gal. up to 10 gal.)), so I would think it would be all right.

Just remember that the new sponge will have to run for a few weeks along with the old filter, in order to build a BB colony, otherwise you'll end up doing a fish-in cycle if you remove the old filter too soon.

How long should I keep the old filter in the tank with the sponge for?

 

How long should I keep the old filter in the tank with the sponge for?

Honestly, I have no Idea. I just did a quick search and saw from 72 hours to a month. When I replaced my Penguin 150 with my Tidal 75, I ran both for a month and tested for 3 days after I removed the Penguin. Everything tested good, so I know a month works.

Personally, I would go a minimum of two weeks just to err on the side of caution, but you may try 72 hours or one week and test your water parameters to make sure everything is good. If you choose to go the shorter period of time, just unplug your HOB filter so the media stays wet. That way you can turn it back on if needed.

 

How long should I keep the old filter in the tank with the sponge for?

I would go at least a month.

 

Okay, I'll do a month. Thanks everyone!