Sponge filter vs hang on back

i have fluvals in my 3 big tanks now i have some 20s and 10s and i was wandering the pros and cons of hob's vs sponge filters. i really dont know anything about sponge filter but seems it would be really easy do they sell them at petco etc

 

Sponge filters
Pros
-Doesn't suck in baby fish
-Are quieter
-Cheaper
Cons
-Don't clean as fast/as well as a hang on the back.
-Don't look amazing in the tank

Hang on the Back
Pros
-Clean a bit more efficiently.
-Maybe quiet, matters on what brand.
-More variety.
Cons
-May suck in baby fish.
-Are more expensive.
-Some may be loud and annoying,
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Good luck!

 

I never seen at petco or petsmart but usually plentiful in an LFS or on amazon.

 

Sponge filters
Pros
-Doesn't suck in baby fish
-Are quieter
-Cheaper
Cons
-Don't clean as fast/as well as a hang on the back.
-Don't look amazing in the tank

Hang on the Back
Pros
-Clean a bit more efficiently.
-Maybe quiet, matters on what brand.
-More variety.
Cons
-May suck in baby fish.
-Are more expensive.
-Some may be loud and annoying,
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Good luck!

That is a great explanation!

 

i have fluvals in my 3 big tanks now i have some 20s and 10s and i was wandering the pros and cons of hob's vs sponge filters. i really dont know anything about sponge filter but seems it would be really easy do they sell them at petco etc

I'll put the pros and cons of a sponge filter. In my opinion Sponge filters are much better than hobs, just my opinion though.

Pros:
Usually Cheaper

Fry compatible (without added modification)

If you have a place for fry to hide, if your fish spawn unexpectedly, you don't have to buy a new tank and can just leave them in there

Shrimp compatible (Without added modification)

You can hide it completely from view except for a thin tube, which with hobs they have a huge tube

Don't have to replace cartridge with actual filter media

If you already are using an air pump you pay even less for it, and can still have the pump running somewhere else if needed with a $1-2 dollar separator

Provides food for fry

Quieter

You have to clean it out less often.


Cons:
If you can't hide it behind something it is much bigger & uglier

 

There have been test run on the effectiveness of various filters as biological filters. Those tests found that a cycled sponge filter will convert high levels of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate faster than any other type of filter, assuming it is sized properly for the tank. Considering that it is the least expensive filter you can purchase, that is quite an advantage. Many people who run large fish rooms with multiple tanks run sponge filters due to their high efficiency and low cost.

There is no reason you need to pose the question as hang on back vs sponge filters. In several of my tanks I run both hang on back filters plus a sponge filter. I even have one where I have a hang on back, a canister filter, and a sponge filter.

Another nice thing about having a sponge filter in a tank is that it is a great way to seed the nitrogen cycle in a new tank.

 

wow awesome thankyou so much