Taking opinions! HOB Power Filter OR Sponge Filter?

[GouramisAreSuperior]

What do you think? HOB filter or sponge filter?

I pick HOB, better filtering than the sponge

 

[A201]

AquaClear hob filters are more or less just a motorized sponge filter. The sponge in the AC 110 takes up half the media box. The best of both worlds.

 

[Momgoose56]

What do you think? HOB filter or sponge filter?

That depends on what your goal is with filtration. If you want low flow/water circulation and minimal particulate removal, then sponge. If you want higher water flow/circulation and larger/more particulate filtration then HOB. Adding a sponge to an HOB just adds more surface area for bacteria growth and a little augmentation to water circulation.

 

[GouramisAreSuperior]

Should you pick sponge or HOB filters? My preference is HOB filters, but you decide.

Sponge Filters:
Pros -
Quieter
Will not murder fish
Less maintenance
More bacteria colonies

Cons -
Less filtration than HOB
Less appealing to the eye
No chemical filtration

HOB filters:
Pros -
Hugely better filtration
More appealing to the eye
Makes bubbles
Chemical filtration

Cons -
Less bacteria
Slightly louder
More maintenance
Sometimes kills fish, but mostly small invertebrates

As you can see, HOB filters are better for most tanks, with better filtration and oxygenation, but sponge filters are better for breeding tanks as they will not kill the fish. They are also better at cycling tanks, due to being able to hold more bacteria.

Hope this helped

 

[ystrout]

I'd say HOB filters have the potential to hold more bacteria than a sponge filter. The sponge holds a fair amount of bacteria, but the ceramic bio media can hold a ton! There's tons of surface area on that stuff. Even then, it really doesn't matter. I've never heard of a filter not being able keep a tank cycled because there's not enough room for the bacteria to grow. Any filter in the ballpark of the right size will keep a tank cycled.

Both filters have their place. I think HOB is far better for most applications. It provides better filtration and traps the gunk. Then you just have to squeeze out the media every couple weeks and you're good.

Like you said, sponge filters are better for fry and shrimp tanks.

 

[Madshot]

In my 2 main tanks I use both. Never can hurt.

 

[david1978]

A hob will always outperform a sponge filter. Sponge filters have their place but that's like 5% of tanks.

 

[JLeeM]

I definitely agree with everyone that says every filter has it's place. I now run, sponge filters, HOB, and canisters on different tanks.

My two biggest deciding factors for filtration is tank size and stock. While there are many different sizes of pretty much any filter, desired water movement plays a huge factor.

Examples: 40 gallon community display: 306 Fluval canister - easily keeps up with biological filtration and provides a nice ripple over the surface

Pleco growout: as many HOB filters as I can fit - biological filtration and fair mechanical filtration but easier to clean out than a canister, plus they enjoy the downward waterflow

Cory growouts: I've used HOB and sponge filters. Usually sponges while they're really small because I keep the water level lower, they provide an extra food source, and don't have to worry about them getting sucked up.

5 gallon betta tanks: sponge filters, easily keeps up with the very low biological filtration needs and water changes with a manual vacuum keep up with mild debris removal, plus provides a very calm water flow environment that they can easily swim in

So basically, you would know better than anyone what you need. If you don't like what you start with (as I have several times) you can always change it and keep the other for later use somewhere else.

Happy fish keeping!

 

[flyin-lowe]

I have a 125 native tank that I set up several months ago and for the first time ever I added a sponge filter. While there is no doubt that it provides benefits of biological filtration, I have seen first hand that the HOB filters will pick up more debris. Anything floating close to the filter intake gets swept in. I've had stuff float right next to the sponge filter, right to the bottom. I wanted to add an air stone just for surface agitation and figured if I was doing that I might as well use a sponge filter as well. I have it hidden behind a large piece of driftwood because they are an eyesore in a tank in my opinion. I like having in in there in case of a lower failure or if I needed to cycle another tank I could use it.