Switch from internal filters to sponge

I have side by side tanks, one 5 gallon and one 10 gallon. Both were/are aquarium kits with the filter that’s in the tank ...one is a whisper something or other. I would like to make a switch to sponge filters on both.
I presume I can run both filters on one air pump since they’re beside each other.
What size air pump should I get (I have one rated for 10 gallon but I’m guessing it won’t due)? Is the only way to keep my cycle going to be running all the filters (2 new 2 old) at once or do the sponges hold media somewhere? I’m trying to cut back the # of cords at the outlet so prefer to just swap them out if I can.

 

No sponges dont hold media. You will have to run both together for roughly a month to get the sponges seeded good. I am not sure on the pump size as I have 2 small pumps running both of my sponges...sorry I'll just say my pumps are ones that came on small tank set ups. I cant run both sponges on one pump. So not powerful at all.

 

I have the Hitop air pump and its dead silent. This pump has two outlets so no problem there. It's created for a minimum of 20 gallons so you should be fine. I run this pump on my 20 and 5 and it works amazing! A tip on this pump is the lower you keep the adjustable knob, the quieter it is. If you keep it on high, it is very loud. When it's on low, it's dead silent. (it is an adjustable air pump so you can control the amount of air that goes into the tank) I recommended this pump to Frank the Fish guy and he says it works great as well and is dead silent. Though AcornTheBetta said his Hitop pump is loud. I am assuming AcornTheBetta has his pump on high. I also agree with StarGirl 's post on the media above.

Link for the air pump: Amazon.com

 

Thank you thank you and I like the look of that pump! My other pump (on a different tank) was very loud until I put a magazine underneath it to absorb some vibration.

 

It certainly is feasible to run two sponge filters off one air pump. Ideally, you would get something that has two outlets, but you can run off a single outlet as long as you use a gang valve to control the flow to each filter. If you just put a tee-splitter in the line, all the air will go to one filter and none to the other.

When you get your new sponges, install them in the tanks, but leave the old filters in place for 4-6 weeks. That will allow colonies of beneficial bacteria to develop in the sponges. Once cycled, sponge filters are extremely efficient in converting ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. Some people with multiple tanks, use the inexpensive sponge filters rather than expensive HOB or canister filters. For smaller tanks like yours, they are a good choice., The primary advantage of HOB filters is that they do not take up as much room inside the tank as does a sponge filter. In a small tank, space is scarce.

 

I have two 10 gallon tanks side by side and use this one LINK HERE. I've had it since July 2020 and have absolutely no problems with it. It is quiet and can be adjusted to how powerful you want the air pumped out. It does has rubber feet on it, so I don't need a magazine or felt pad or anything.

The filters I use with it are these LINK HERE (although I have green sponges). (One in each 10 gallon tank). Another perk with these is that there are two chambers for the filter media, so when/if I need to seed another tank, I can take the old media out of one chamber and move it to the new filter, and fill the second chamber in both filters with new media. I've done this multiple times and the turnaround time is less than 48 hours.

The filters I use with it are these LINK HERE (although I have green sponges). (One in each 10 gallon tank).

BTW, I forgot to mention - I tossed out the media that came with these filters and used the Fluval Bio Max Media

 

I recommended this pump to Frank the Fish guy and he says it works great as well and is dead silent. Though AcornTheBetta said his Hitop pump is loud. I am assuming AcornTheBetta has his pump on high. I also agree with StarGirl 's post on the media above.

Link for the air pump: Amazon.com

I keep my Hitop pumps at about 50% which is enough to drive two air stones nicely. If I turn the pump to max it does have an audible hum.

But these are powerful pumps. No need to run them at max.

 

It certainly is feasible to run two sponge filters off one air pump. Ideally, you would get something that has two outlets, but you can run off a single outlet as long as you use a gang valve to control the flow to each filter. If you just put a tee-splitter in the line, all the air will go to one filter and none to the other.

Okay good to know about the gang valve!

I have two 10 gallon tanks side by side and use this one LINK HERE. I've had it since July 2020 and have absolutely no problems with it. It is quiet and can be adjusted to how powerful you want the air pumped out. It does has rubber feet on it, so I don't need a magazine or felt pad or anything.

The filters I use with it are these LINK HERE (although I have green sponges). (One in each 10 gallon tank). Another perk with these is that there are two chambers for the filter media, so when/if I need to seed another tank, I can take the old media out of one chamber and move it to the new filter, and fill the second chamber in both filters with new media. I've done this multiple times and the turnaround time is less than 48 hours.


BTW, I forgot to mention - I tossed out the media that came with these filters and used the Fluval Bio Max Media

Awesome I’ll look into all these!