Fine Sponge Filter vs Coarse Sponge Filter: Which One is Better?
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Hello Everyone,
In this video we compare the fine sponge filter to the coase sponge filter and see which one is better.
If you would like more information on filtration take a look at some of these videos below!
Complete Sponge Filter Guide: • Fish Tank Sponge Filte...
How to Clean Sponge Filters: • How to Clean Sponge Fi...
Sponge FIlter vs HOB Filter: • Fish Tank Filter Showd...
Sponge Filter vs Matten Filter: • Matten Filter vs Spong...
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimea...
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Thanks for watching!
If you would like more information on filtration take a look at some of these videos below!
Complete Sponge Filter Guide: ua-cam.com/video/yQSI-3rUsIs/v-deo.html
How to Clean Sponge Filters: ua-cam.com/video/jp49hdba0eY/v-deo.html
Sponge FIlter vs HOB Filter: ua-cam.com/video/TN_eagzIEyY/v-deo.html
Sponge Filter vs Matten Filter: ua-cam.com/video/u3LI1O6pod8/v-deo.html
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Someone should make a sponge filter that is course on the outside medium in the middle. Then fine on the inside. With the ability to come apart for cleaning. I run fine and coarse in the fish room
I agree whole-heartedly and I was just about to add the exact same comment as you. Thanks, now I don't have to! ;-)
I commented this and then found your comment 😂 I think it's a great idea
I was thinking the same thing as I was watching the video.
I’m looking at buying my own sponge and making them
We need a DIY on this NOW
You should put a plastic sandwich bag around sponge then remove from tank, less debris in tank. All in baggie...I do this on hob filters as well.
I'm going to try that tomorrow!
For my more heavily planted tank that has floating and stemmed plants, the coarse sponge works better as an intake on my canister filter. I tried a fine intake sponge first and it was clogged every few days from tiny bits of organic matter. The coarse sponge lasts until water change day, no problem.
In my other tank, which runs solely on sponge filters, the fine sponges work great! Not so many plants in that tank.
Great video as always! 👍🏼
I prefer the coarse because they never clog and they are an excellent complementary bio filtration.
Thanks for that Jason, Ive always used the course sponges as a standard, And one of the biggest things I hate is trying to clean them and releases all the gunk right back into the tank. I dont mind spending a bit more time cleaning a fine sponge...gonna give the fine sponge a try, Great video! 👍
Try using a zip lock bag before you remove them from the tank. The dirt drops into the zip lock bag and not the tank
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this video. I have been keeping fish for many years and never used a sponge filter. After a few canister disasters and flooding I am converting my main tank 40+ gallons to two air driven sponge filters. I watched a few videos where the youtubers had very negative opinions about fine filters and I was beginning to second guess myself with my purchase. Your video is very informative and gives the pros and cons of each. So thank you for that. Oh btw, I enjoy watching your channel I have learned a lot.
Thank you so much! Glad it helped.
I've also found the course ones are really good if you have a big pleco. I have a 7 inch common and the course is great for grabbing its long poops and capturing them
I've found that going with a coarse sponge in the HOBs attached to my under-gravel system to be ideal, as it saves me from cleaning them so often. I also use a fine sponge on the inlet of the third HOB on the tank, to add area for bio-filtration and extend the service of the mechanical filtration's floss piece. So basically, the coarse sponges help extend the service of the fine sponge between cleanings! ;)
I find when its time to clean the sponge filter a course sponge does not pick up as much as the fine. If the fine sponge is getting blocked clean it more often and get a better pump.
You are a valuable addition to this hobby !!
Appreciate you being here!
Depending on the type of tank, Substrate etc, I find too fine Clogs too easy thereby diminishing effectiveness. 20ppi works for me as a happy medium. Poret is the best product on the market IMO. Lasts a lifetime and can be cut in any shape to fit in canister trays or bought ready for Spongefilter/Mattenfilter use.
Coarse is generally 10ppi and fine 30ppi as far as I know.
My struggle with this is, your pump or impeller needs to be strong enough to accommodate a fine filter. I find the output is restricted when I use a fine.
Good point!
Sponge filters don't have pumps. They run on air.
Andrew Delashaw they use an air pump
This video is really helpful. I am setting up a ten gallon breeder tank and I couldn’t figure out if course or fine filters are better and you answered my question. I chose the fine filter
Good to hear!
*There's very fine filters on both sides* bigly
Got out today with restrictions then came back to your video,it’s a good day. Tomorrow is the most important day of the year 52 on the tenth.
Happy Birthday man! Hope you have a great day!
Prime Time Aquatics thank you
I really like the sponge that with my two aquaclear 110’s. Couldn’t be happier. Thankyou for covering this topic.🐠😀
That's a nice combo! :-)
I've never really paid close attention to the pores size in my sponge filters, but after seeing this I may have to re evaluate. Most of my sponge filters are secondary filtration so I figure even with coarse sponges I'm still on top if my game.
Another excellent video! I set up my linear piston pump last year and converted the whole fish room to sponges. At the time, I bought about 2/3 fine filters and 1/3 coarse filters, thinking I would get the best of both worlds. I've since been replacing all the coarse sponges, as I just don't like them. I clean the sponges weekly during water changes, so I'm not worried about clogging, and I HATE the mess the coarse sponges make when pulled out of the tank, even if cleaned weekly. I might be a bit OCD about the tanks, so I'd rather spend the extra time squeezing that fine sponge in the sink rather than try and siphon out a million waste particles from my tank. So fine sponges are by far my preference. Also, one final (important!) point about the fine sponge filters is that they won't suck in tiny fry, which can definitely happen with coarse sponges.
I agree - we use way more fine sponges.
Hello. I am new to fish keeping, and am finding your channel super helpful! Youre a great speaker! I thought you were Keith Jardine at first too lol. Thank you for all the great content and information!!
Really good information Jason. I use a lot of prefilter sponges on my HOB. I lower the water levels and place a bowl under the filter to catch the waste. Hope you and your are healthy and in good spirits.
Nice idea!
I've had fine sponge filters in my neon and guppy tanks for about 15-16 months, and I have never cleaned them. My neocaridina shrimp pick it clean. I've been waiting to do the whole squeeze in aquarium water deal, but haven't had the need.
I have literally been searching for a video like this for days!!! Thank you!
Hope it helped!
I have achieved what I consider the perfect sponge combination on my Accuclear 110 HOB's. I put a large coarse block on the filter intake, and use the much finer sponge in the filter that comes with the filter. This extends the maintenance of the sponge in the filter from 10 days to about 80 days so far. Doubles my surface area for biological filtration. The filter return water flow does not slow liked it did before as the filter sponge clogged so fast.
Sounds like a good setup!
The filtering efficiency of sponge filters increases over time because as the particulate layer increases and acts as a filter. This principle is also seen with thick sludge blanket layers in clarifiers, sludge thickeners, and sludge dewatering filter presses.
Course sponge filters are good for hang on the back and canisters and powerheads if you are just running an air pump then the fine sponge filters will do a good job as of now I only use course my canisters Hang On The Backs and my air pumps great video
LOVE your aquariums!
Thank you!
I like the coarse ones as they are not my primary filtration. I only maintain four tanks each of which have either a canister or hob. In that application the coarse ones are used primarily to provide gas exchange and harbor nitrifying bacteria. For reasons you stated they require very little cleaning to pick up and drop into a qt/hospital tank when the need arises. However I do have a betta tank with a fine sponge filter as the only filtration. Like you said in the video it really boils down to the purpose the filter will serve. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge!
Man, I literally just googled this 20 hours after you posted. Talk about timing! I have a Hikari fine in a 10 gallon fully planted with 8 cherry shrimp. I probably don't even need it other than for circulation, haha. Tiny bioload. I have a couple of the Aquarium Co-op sponge filters also, and was curious about fine vs coarse. Their's seems pretty coarse, so I may buy another tank and play around with them.
Ya, Aquarium Co-Op sells a nice coarse sponge filter.
I have sponges in every tank, including 150 g cichlid tank. If my canister or HOB fail, there is a very limited amount of time to get them going before real problems arise. With sponges, a power failure could occur and when the power returns there is no problem with them starting again, as well as the O2 in the water keeps the bacteria alive. I tend to use canisters only as mechanical filters.
Very informative as usual, great breakdown for every level of fish keeping. .appreciate it.
Love your and your wife's videos I just added a sponge filter to my 150 high boy I do have an fx 4 on it but Just wanted to add a little bit more filtration down at the bottom of the tank. The one I used is a fine sponge..
After listening to your video & understanding my personal preferences, I’m gonna stick with a fine sponge filter. Based on tank size, what general dimensions of a fine sponge filter is recommended? I have a 16-gallon high tank.
…. With that question, I do realize there are other factors , like: bio load, tap water composition & treatment, # of fish, types of plants, etc. Any guidance is appreciated.
BTW, you’re videos are the best when it comes to the hobby. I truly respect and take your research & statements seriously. Thanks for helping my aquarium.
Thank you!
Loved this video.
10 solid minutes. Included a few extra side points other videos I've seen didn't like regards to sand sifter fish etc.
Personally. I run dozens of aquariums but none over 4ft. Near all on mostly fine sponge filters or HMF.
HMF FOR THE WIN!
Since all my tanks are under 20 gallons now, I've been using more of the fine types and added a coarse-filter to my HOB. You are such a great teacher... I always learn something new every time I watch you. Jason, maybe you could put us together a aquarium based biology homeschooling series for kids that are out of school now. I know my 12 year old grandson would Love it😁♥️🐟🌱🌿
Now that is an interesting idea!
I always learn something from your videos. In this case, even though we have sponge filters, I never thought that much about pore size.
This brings up a question:
If one wishes to change the sponge, what does one look for in the replacement? Does material matter? What pore size is course or fine? How does one know the sponge will fit the apparatus? Can we make our own sponges and must they be round?
Also out of curiosity:
- What is the sponge lifespan?
- if one stores a sponge dry, do the bacteria revive when wet in the next use?
Thanks for keeping us informed and thinking,
Jim
All great questions - they don't have to be round. I know a number of people who use sponge blocks. As far as replacements and material - it's all about the sponge quality. For fine sponge I use a lot of ATI hydros, for coarse Aquarium Co-Op sponges are good. With quality sponges I expect at least 4-5 years with weekly cleaning.
Prime Time Aquatics , Again a novice question, what are the clues that the sponge of a sponge filter is due for replacement?
I bought an aquarium 14 years ago. After a big interval of 7-8 yrs not running, I had to cycle & used new bacteria, from the same bottle (keptin the fridge) I added the old ones! For security reasons, I was patient, for bacts to be surely established. The answer is that they don't survive on dry sponge, an organism who does so, has to live in a spore form of life, these don't.
After 14yrs of use & storage (as mentioned), both sponges begun to collapse and fall apart w/ small particles leaving when treated by hand... a situation which normaly begun unnoticed much earlier (even 1-1.5 yrs), as I rarely mess w/ filtration to clean it. I use& clean tactically my mechanical filtration (2 sided filter wool, coarse white, fine green, w/ green as the first stage, I use the white part as a duct for water to push debris on the way from inside to the outside of the green layer). So: according to my experience, 12 yrs is toooo loooong!
I have fine sponge in all of my tanks right now and its working so well. 👍👌👍
I bought enormous corner sponge filters that are triangular and go in the back corners (2). They are fine. How far away from the glass is optimal for using these filters? Also, should they be cleaned once a week since it's fine? Every time I clean ANY of my filters, I get a bacterial bloom. That makes me put it off for a longer time. None of my filters pick up poop either. Should I be directing some flow on the bottom of the tank to get it moving toward the filter? It all just sits on the bottom.
I clean all filters every week. Once the cleaning is consistently every week the blooms go away. The filter placement isn't a huge deal since there will still be more than sufficient area exposed forward-facing. Sponge filters generally do a bad job of picking up stuff from the bottom of a tank - there just isn't enough flow-through for that (we get that with gravel vacuuming).
Very good video!! I have both types. But I’m glad your brought up that which one is better for cichlids. I’m going to buy one for my 75 and getting ride of my canister soon.
They are a lot easier to maintain!
Another informative video! 👍
Nice video Jason! I've found that fine sponge filters do a better job in my tanks, especially my bare breeder/rearing tanks. I'm now using the double sponge filters and clean one each week alternating. Tanks stay crystal clear and I don't worry about losing my biological cycle.
I use fine sponge as pre filter, it picks everything up and saves having to change poly in filter all the time., I rinse them every day or other day.. in tank water... I've waited cause they looked good and surprised when I did clean them how much gunk was in the pre filter sponge...alot of debre , but clear water .
Excellent info. Very informative. Have to get some fine and use with the coarse that I have.
Can be a nice mix.
Always love seeing the Star Sapphire in your videos.😁
They are great fish! :-)
I prefer fine because I only have 2 tanks and I enjoy doing maintenance. Also because I use them as pre-filters so a weekly rinse saves me a lot of time between actual filter maintenance.
Great vid bro 👍🏽👍🏽 it gave me to info I need cheers 🍻
Awesome video! Great comparison
Thank you!
I tend to use a combination of both, great breakdown as usual!
That can be a good idea! :-)
Coarse if it is on its own, fine foam if it has other, more efficient filters. I like to let the sponge filter polish the water, and the big filters get the big stuff. This way, both filters can go longer without cleaning, neither is useless, and you don't need to dig through filter media as often.
Wonderful video presentation. Thanks. 📺
Thank you!
I've been using a coarse for for 4+ years never had a complaint
I have the AQQA dual sponge filter I got from Amazon and it was a serious love/hate. My favorite thing about it is it's almost perfectly silent. I wish there was a HOB filter that quiet!
I have both, I have a 20 long and a 10 both with coarse sponge filters since I have HOBs on both. But my 5 gallon quarantine tank has a fine sponge filter because I really really need it to biologically and mechanically filter the tank as best as possible since I'm usually medicating the tank.
In my larger tanks 40+ I use one fine and one Co-op course one to catch different size stuff
Nice idea!
It's a bit of a catch 22 situation, if you want to remove the majority of particulates from your water you need to be using a fine sponge but if you have a lot of particulates the fine sponge will clog a lot quicker which will then reduce the biological capacity. My choice is fine sponge and to adjust the maintenance schedule to suit. If that means cleaning it every three days then so be it, it's only a five minute job but I've only got the four tanks and I am retired so it's not problem for me. I'm not sure I would be wanting to clean the filters every 3 days on 20 tanks.
Ya it is. They both have their uses!
Fine is the best, ideally double stacked with a course
Fish Are Friends to double stack them do you take the bottoms off and fit them together or do you have to modify them
Double stack may be more efficient but I font want a filter that's gonna stand out in my tank
Thankyou I now bought a large sponge filter and my fish tank after 24 hours is the cleanest it's ever been Thankyou Again
Good to hear!
Always love your info!!
Thank you! Glad you are here!
Thanks a ton for answering my question and providing all the details 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Luckily mine is a fine pore 😀😀..
I do a monthly cleaning.
Very cool!
Do you use a UV system on your tanks? Your my favorite Aquatic fish UA-camr. You Get right to the point. Can’t wait to get my 55 up and running. Using a lot of your advice. Tell the wife I love her Aqua Scapes. ILL use my 10 for a betta next.
Thank you! I have one canister filter that has a UV bulb, but other than that, no. They can be useful as a treatment option when fish a sick if the microbes are in the water column though.
As always your video was great . However being a novice I'm just as confused as always because I only have one tank . Where I can't figure out Fine or coarse sponge . Thank you for taking the time for beginners .
I prefer fine sponges (much easier to clean and make less of a mess when cleaning). API sponge filters are a solid choice.
Amazing Video...sponge filters are great, only cons I feel is the space they take and the loud annoying oxygen pump to keep it running...
I wish you make a video on your insights on tank without oxygen pump...they are so irritating...Surface agitation in an economical way, I am planning to use only a top filter with powerhead with an oxygen pipe and a hob filter for only water fall sound, what you think?😊
That could work. Our 50 gallon low boy is heavily planted and really only has an airstone in it at this point.
We need a in tank sponge filter with two layers of sponge- coarse and fine. This is what I do in my sumps I do 10, 20, 30 and 45 ppi. Sponges go for up to 9 months between cleanings and yield crystal clean water.
have you ever made your own sponge cut from say a bulk piece of medium density foam? I have a couple of big blocks of foam, I cut them to fit as a pre-filter, was thinking of cutting one to replace my fine sponge on one of those double sponge filter types.
I generally don't, but might at some point in the future. :-)
I've only ever used fine filters. I had one that over the course of several years kind of broke down and stayed shrunken looking. I wish I knew which brand, but the material must just not have been as good as all the others I've owned.
Usually use fine sponge for volume then again you have flexibility with the coarse sponge cutting out shapes and whatnot
Good point!
Again more amazing videos
For me the corse pad is ideal if you use a powerhead. It has mose mechanical capability qnd is suitable for larger debris. But if you are using sponge for mechanical, i think its better to rethink your option
I like both I have fine in my Jack Dempsey Fry tank
Very insightful, thank you
Love these! I'm a newbie! Recommendations for online livestock shops? Thanks so much!
You could try The Wet Spot. They have a big selection and their prices aren't too bad. If you are looking for shrimp and nano fish Flip Aquatics is a great option too.
Prime Time Aquatics Ah great! Yeah I've been stalking I mean emailing Rob at Flip Aquatics, got some nice plants, mystery snails, and neocaridinas from them! I will check out The Wet Spot. I've noticed most places I've visited, like Aquatic Arts, Aquarium Co-Op, and Twin Cities Guppies are super low if not completelty out of shrimp and guppies-even plants, wondering if it has to do with the pandemic? Also I'm intrigued by cichlids as I think the tap water parameters of where I live might align with what they need... going to do a lot more research and watch a lot more videos!! Thanks so much for replying and for your helpful videos!
I use coarse, then fine, later water passes through ceramic rings. 0 NH3/4, NO2 always (120 lts, lightly planted, w/low lights. After 14yrs of use & storage (storage 50+% of time), both sponges begun to collapse and fall apart w/ small particles leaving when treated by hand... a situation which normaly begun unnoticed much earlier (even 1-1.5 yrs), as I very RARELY mess w/ filtration to clean it. I use as first stage which I clean tactically my mechanical filtration (2 sided filter wool, coarse white, fine green, w/ green as the first stage, I use the white part as a duct for water to push debris on the way from inside to the outside of the green layer, when cleaning it).
Great video Jason. I was wondering what brand was the coarse sponge filter? I'm looking to buy one for my tank
Usually if I'm going to use coarse sponge filters Aquarium Co-op is a good source.
I don't clean my filters with tap water !! all I do is while sucking the water out I keep squish the filters out in a 5gal bucket until they come out half way clean. I do love them, we have a tank full of emperor fish and they keep bringing babies all the time.
I got a coarse & fine filter to see which i like more. Good thing i watched this before, now I know not to put the coarse in the sand tank
So helpful! Looking forward to sparking water with finer sponge filter. You have a good wife. Take good care of her.
Where do you purchase your sponge filters and what brand??
Ever considered a video on building a multi level tank stand?
It depends on what I am looking for. If I want coarse sponges - Aquarium Co-Op would be the place to go. If I want the fine pore sponges I usually buy ATI hydro sponges off amazon or from Jehmco.com.
I've actually done multiple videos on how to build double and even triple stands. I have two dedicated videos, plus almost every video where we added more tanks I share how we built the stands. :-)
Answer as alway's. It depends.
I was expecting the coarse sponge filter to be used more by PTA. By the end of the video it makes sense by PTA generally prefers fine. I have more small/medium tanks with fine gravel (not sand) and no substrate diggers so I highly prefer course sponge filters over fine. The difference is clean every week (fine) vs clean ever 2-4 weeks (course). Easy choice for my application.
Ya, we really need the sponge filters to trap the debris floating in the water. :-)
I'm running a huge corner sponge filter along with an IQ 60 hob on my 55gal which at the moment has only one ranchu . My question, I clean the sponge w tank water..should I use tap?
I do, but there is nothing wrong with the way you do it,
Ty maine
i have found (with hard water) fine sponges turn into a hard block where the coarse sponges dont
What brand have you used?
Jason will you please do a segment on planaria..?
I will add it to the list!
how do you determine the minimum amount of surface area needed for biological filtration, since so far its been all a guessing game even though you may have a successful nitrogen cycle such as 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and having established nitrates.
Great video! I just have a question, how long would it take for a fine sponge filter to get all the good bacteria in it in a well established tank?
Great question - I would say about a month or so (if the tank is already cycled). A little longer if not.
On the topic of mechanical filtration. What order should I place them inside a canister filter? Because on a hang on filter cartridge. It goes fine first, carbon, fine, and course last. It gets confusing because its almost like everyone has their own way of doing it. But nobody is showing the proper order of mechanical, chemical and bio filtration. What makes it even more confusing is when there is multiple of each type. I had to add a second canister just to make sure that I have all of them.
Watch just the first 15 minutes of this: ua-cam.com/video/fow7yrxwwQE/v-deo.html
It's the same for a canister filter
Prime time aquatics it would have been better if you have mentioned desirable air pressure level for proper sponge filteration.
I don't because 1) That depends on the fish you are keeping and 2) there are variables regarding flow rate, mechanical filtration and biological filtration.
Thank you the info
Not only was this informative, but it lasted almost exactly the length of a ringworm bath. I don't think the kitten learned anything, though.
Thanks for the great vid
Hate that these are more commonly found online Sometimes I’d like to walk into a store and buy a replacement sponge for a sponge filter 😾
You failed to mention the coarse filter, covering the intake for a HOB filter. Also, I use the coarse filter on the intake of a powerhead making it into a "souped up" sponge filter.
That's because I talked about it here. :-)
ua-cam.com/video/vglu2pXudEs/v-deo.html
In instruction (and I think you're doing a great job of it), it never hurts to repeat yourself. Some of us hobbyists are hard-headed, yours truly included. Thanks for all you do.
Jason, found it difficult to buy a course version for the filter intake. Any suggestions on who sells a small course for a half inch tube?
Check Aquarium Co-Op? I thought theirs might be coarse?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thanks
I use course sponges in my hang-on-back filters, since I wanted to minimize the risk of them clogging and overflowing onto the floor (I also rinse them out once a month).
Very good for that!
Very informative 🤓
What kind of coarse sponge filter do you guys recommend? I cannot find many options. They don't really advertise coarse/fine that much in titles
Aquarium Co-op probably has the best
Could I use a natural sponge too?
I have never tried it?
How often a fine filter to be cleaned in your experience? I got two of them (xy-380 size) in 75 gal tank and an undergravel filter.
We clean ours once a week.
I have a FX 6 with a sponge filter and I use a course one and it works now . Should I be worried down the road.
Not at all. That is a very appropriate mix. The canister is doing all the mechanical you need. The coarse is there more for biological filtration.