Sponge filters
Pawfly sponge and internal filters
- 5 models
- 27 options
- $5.98 to $21.99
About Pawfly sponge and internal filters
Five sponge filters for 1 to 60 gallon tanks, four run by your air pump and one with its own 3 W water pump.
An air-driven sponge filter works by lift. Air from your pump rises through the tube and draws water through the foam, which traps debris and, once the tank is cycled, holds bacteria that break down ammonia. The Mini, Nano Bio and Corner filters work this way, and all three arrive without a pump. At 3.3 in across and 4.9 in tall, the Corner model tucks into a back corner instead of standing in the open.
With the Electric Sponge Filter you skip the air pump: plug it in and its 3 W motor moves 70 GPH through two sponges and a chamber of ceramic balls, under 30 dB. It stands 11.2 in tall and takes up much of a 10-gallon tank, so look at its M size, for 15 to 55 gallons. Between the two kinds sits the Mini Internal filter, an air-driven box with filter balls under the sponge.
The 5 sponge and internal filters on this shelf belong to the Pawfly aquarium line.
Also by need: nano tanks, 1 to 5 gallons, betta, fry and shrimp tanks, sponge filters and their spares, breeding boxes and fry care.
Questions about Pawfly sponge filters
Will you need a separate air pump for a Pawfly sponge filter?
Four of the five do, and none of those four comes with one: add a pump sized to your tank and a length of airline. The Electric Sponge Filter is the exception. Its 3 W pump is built in, so you take the two spare sponges out of the chamber, add the ceramic balls, and plug it in.
How often should you rinse your Pawfly sponge filter?
Every 2 to 4 weeks, and only in water taken from the tank. Tap water can strip away the bacteria living in the foam. The Electric model is due a rinse every 2 weeks, and the white sponge of the Mini Internal filter gets replaced every 2 to 3 months.
How do you get a new Pawfly sponge filter to sink?
Squeeze it under water until no more air comes out. A dry sponge holds air and floats. Once the foam fills with tank water, the filter stays on the bottom. The 4 suction cups that come with the Mini Sponge Filter hold it in place while it settles.