Foam filters?

[four_by_ken]

OK... help me out here.  I have always though of the grey foam filters as cheap, temp set up filtration.  But, I see so many people using them now.  If there some benefit that I dont know about?

I dont like the looks of anything non-natural in the tank.  The biggest reason I have never considered using them in anything other than a temp tank.

[Regalblue]

They are great for harboring beneficial bacteria & when you have a ton of  tanks they are more cost effective than hang on/canister

[four_by_ken]

I can see it with having a lot of tanks.  I just cant see it working anywhere near as good as say a hang on, or a canister, etc.

I think I am an over fitlerererer.

[Ron]

I can see it with having a lot of tanks.  I just cant see it working anywhere near as good as say a hang on, or a canister, etc.

For mechanical filtration sponge filters don't work well at all. For biological filtration, they work very well. It's all about flow rate. I used to also wonder about how effective they were, but once you squeeze one out you'll realize there's a whole lot going on.

I think I am an over fitlerererer.

Same here. I have 3 Hydro Vs in a 75 gallon. They are "rated" for 125 gallons each. 

The main benefit is that they are cost effective if you run a lot of tanks. Air-driven filtration typically costs much less in electricity. You're right about them being ugly though. I never use them in nice display tanks because they are impossible to hide without wasting a lot of space.

[four_by_ken]

OK, whats a Hydro V?

[linuxrulesusa]

OK, whats a Hydro V?

It's a common brand of sponge filter, rated I - V for different size tanks.  E.g. a Hydro I is good for a 10-15 gallon tank and a Hydro V for up to a 125 gallon. 

[four_by_ken]

I Googled it... should have done that before asking.   

[Super Turtleman]

On the topic, what about these? Are they as good as the Hydros?

[Regalblue]

On the topic, what about these? Are they as good as the Hydros?

I used one years ago to supplement an AC300. I had too many problems getting it to stay attached to the glass to recommend buying one.

[linuxrulesusa]

On the topic, what about these? Are they as good as the Hydros?

Those look to have smaller surface area. I've seen them most often used in shrimp tanks and fry tanks, though not sure on the reasoning for that.  Maybe because they're a little less of an eyesore.

[Ron]

On the topic, what about these? Are they as good as the Hydros?

There have been worse ones than those, but IMO the hydro sponges are the cream of the crop. As I see it, the larger uplift tubes of the hydro flow greater and the "rating" for a sponge is really just it's volume, so smaller diameter sponges just aren't as good. I recently bought a bunch of replacement sponges and am turning the III's and IV's I have into V's (parts are all interchangeable - the diameter of the sponge is the only difference between the larger sizes). www.jehmco.com is where I buy them.

[Super Turtleman]

Thanks for the replies. Guess I'll order some Hydro Vs.