Reddit reviews uxcell 4 1/2 Inch Aquarium Fish Tank Biochemical Sponge Filter

Go for the 5gal, and add a nice sponge filter! It's cheap and works like a charm.

Here's a good sponge filter, it'll need to be powered by a air pump (like this one). You'll also need some airline tubing, and something to regulate airflow (this is a 10-pack, but you get the idea).

A tank doesn't have to be a glass box. If you're in a pinch, a large food-safe container, like a Rubbermaid tote would work. As this is a goldfish, I would recommend at least 20 gallons of water right now. As it grows, you will need to upgrade.

Goldfish are a coldwater fish, so you can get away with no heater.

Fill the tote with DECHLORINATED water. There are many different brands and types of chemicals that will make tap water safe for fish. Pick one and follow the instructions on the bottle as they all have different dosages. I recommend Seachem's Prime.

You will need a filter to start your biological filtration and to aerate the water. A basic sponge filter will work, if we are looking for a bare bones setup. This needs to be hooked up to an air pump to work.

The most important part is that your "tank" will not be cycled for the first little while. This means that all the fish poop and food waste will be toxic. This is the biggest threat to your fish. Until the bacteria develop to convert the fish waste into nitrate (which is relatively safe), you will need to do basically daily water changes.

If you can get your hands on a test kit for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate, you can monitor the progress of the cycle. When you no longer read ANY ammonia or nitrite, you can lower your water changes to once a week or two.

Don't get too disheartened if the fish does not make it. The gills look very inflamed and it is likely very stressed. I would recommend buying some aquarium salt and dosing accordingly to prevent infection.

Yeah we bought a heater yesterday. If we were to purchase a filter like this would we be able to just hook up our current airstone pump to it and have it work? Or would we need to purchase something different? Thanks for your help!

1. The guy with the black markings is called a Ranchu.
   
2. Don't add anything else to the tank as you really want a 120 liter tank or so for two fully grown fancy goldfish.
   
3. Water changes should be done as often as is reasonable and you should use a water test kit of some kind. (Even the cheap strips are better than nothing)
   
4. Goldfish are filthy and filters like to overestimate their effectiveness so I would suggest picking up a sponge filter and hooking it up to the air pump instead of the bubble wand to add extra filtration and to give you two filters so if one fails you don't have zero filtration while you replace the other one.

Use a sponge filter element, like this https://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78 on the filter intake, then bag up the biomedia in delicates washing bags https://www.amazon.com/DOZZZ-Delicate-Stocking-Underwear-Lingerie/dp/B016MB0KW8/ref=pd_day0_201_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B016MB0KW8&pd_rd_r=K5X2TZZ1PAC07536K45J&pd_rd_w=vinoL&pd_rd_wg=XkJlb&psc=1&refRID=K5X2TZZ1PAC07536K45J

May as well leave the bioplate there if it doesn't get in the way of the bio media.

No problem at all! You can always order the sponge like this one online, usually half the price of what they sell in store. You can also try soaking the freeze dry worms in the water for a few minutes, he might then recognize it as food.

XINYOU XY-380 Aquarium Fish Tank Biochemical Sponge Filter, 4-1/2-Inch (1-pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_U68PDbS324RDY
More like this

Hmm, I'm pretty sure I have this sponge running on the whisper 10 that is good enough for the 10 gallon tank on it's own. This is the one on the whisper 40 but it takes up a ton of space and is big enough for a 40 gallon lol.

Aqadvisor is good for estimating bioload levels, but it's not so great at getting the minimum tank size for each species. Tanks can be overstocked in two ways, bioload or space. I use seriouslyfish.com for the space part and Aqadvisor for the bioload part

Petco currently has a $1 per gallon sale up to 29 gallons, I believe. If you wanted a bigger aquarium now'd be a good time to get a bigger aquarium. Your choice of fish is very limited with a 5 gallon. You can either get a betta or some shrimps.

Take your time and do research. No need to rush. It's always better to do your research and go to a pet store knowing what you want rather than impulsively buying anything. Most pet store staff also generally don't know much more than the average person about fish so take anything they say with a grain of salt.

EDIT: You need an airpump, not an air stone for the sponge filter! That's a really big mistake I made.

These are what I ordered for my 20 gallon aquarium, the size of the air pump is what matters so get a 10 gallon air pump for your 5 gallon aquarium unless you decide to upgrade. I'm also on a budget so these seem to be the best items for those on a budget

Sponge filter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0051XIN78/ref=psdcmw_2975472011_t2_B005VAFGKI

Air pump:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YJ4N6/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I35X82DPLWBEQ2&colid=74EPT83Y85GU&th=1&psc=1

Air tubing:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002563MW/ref=pd_aw_fbt_199_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C7MX7DQQ39GFPW8XDMM3

I use these sponge filters. For a good level of filtration, about one per 20 gallons will do the job. But if you want to over filter, 4 is a good number for a 55 gallon.

I stack the filters two to three high (into filter "towers") depending on the height of the tank, so they use up less floor space. But what's really going to make a difference is the strength behind your air pumps. If you're using two separate pumps, I'd recommend they each be rated for a 50 gallon tank for a total rating of 100 gallons. Personally, I love the Tetra Whisper100 air pumps and use one Whisper100 per 4 sponge filters (or per two filter "towers").

Would something like this work?

https://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522978299&sr=8-3&keywords=sponge+filter+fish+tank

you can put a intake filter sponge on it, or you can also put a entire sponge filter like this on the intake instead. they sell adapters to do this

https://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78/

this is what i'm using in all my tanks. if that's too big, this is a good alternative.

NEVER buy this. the connection for the air tube is too big and is nearly impossible to get a tube on.

Well, at a certain size people start recommending a sump/refugium. A sump of 20 gallons is a so much more capacity for filtration than a HOB could ever be. But they are more difficult to setup.

If I were going to use a HOB for a tank that large, I might just use two of these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000260FUW/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_m8Ovxb3MWMDGV

"But why?" you might ask. Two reasons. First it meets the capacity requirements in excess of 40 gallons and better circulates the tank. Second it provides redundancy in case one filter goes down. Another filter you might look at is sponge filters for power outages. Can be used on a battery operated pump and simple to use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_YaPvxbRNYX7J2

You might go the route of canister filter.
This actually doesn't meet the requirements of circulating your total volume ten times in an hour, so be aware of that. A 100 gallon tank might use two of these. Again redundancy is a beautiful thing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015JMQRNC/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_QdPvxbAH4274M

You want the “power filter” it mounts on the edge of your tank rather than all the way inside and with one of those you don’t actually need a sponge filter. I was just saying you could use the one you posted with a sponge filter (like this https://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78) and then just plug the tube on it into the intake of the power head.

Make sure your aquarium of room is heated to 80F for the shrimp to feel more comfortable. I also did some more research and apparently they can also hatch quicker with a higher temperature. I really really recommend you to buy a sponge filter. They are cheap and make sure your fry don't get blended. Or buy a hang-on breeding case and an airpump (around 20 usd) which is about the same price or even more expensive then a sponge filter. But this will not need you to heat a separate tank and will give you everything your tank has in a mini box.

Apperently you can get a cheap sponge filter for 5,47 on amazon :https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051XIN78/ref=pd_sim_199_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WRWHT2SBMS569R2CQ11T which will only require you to buy an airpump which is about the same price.

I myself use this:
https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-On-Breeding-Box-Large/dp/B005QRDCP2 but I have no way to tell you if it works yet I'm trying to figure this out myself. But the water circulation and the heat circulation is a pro for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009YJ4N6/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XDW8E1QD3H21EB5AGFER An airpump for 5.59

And you might wanna grab this for extension:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002563MW/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JENJHA2BGWWBTTPNDG7Q

Tetra is a cheapo brand, I would recommend something else. But it will be fine as long as you baffle the output with a filter sponge or pantyhose.

Something like this would be better (will need an air pump).

Okay this is easy then.

Don't use tap water for anything at all.

1. First we need to get your TDS down to where it should be.
   We are going to do what is called a water restart. You are going to empty the water (save 5 gallons of water in a bucket and put the little guy you have left in the bucket).
   
   You will have to purchase this product (http://www.hanaquatics.com/salty-shrimp-shrimp-mineral-gh-kh/)
   If you get 200g it will last you a lifetime.
   
   Once all the water is drained you will fill the RO/DI water into buckets and add the salty shrimp to RO/DI water until the TDS is between 200-250. Add this water to your tank. Now your tank should be between 200-250 TDS.
   
   Wait 24 hours with the filter running etc.
   
   Take a small bucket of water and drip acclimate your shrimp (see: https://youtu.be/ZSnJjTEjWyU).
   
   This is going to take a few hours. Every 30-45 mins make sure to take some water out of the bucket. Eventually the water in your bucket and the water in the tank will be within 20 TDS of each other. When the water in the bucket is close to the water in the tank you will be set to transfer the new shrimp into his home.
   
   
2. Top off water with RO/DI water. Dont worry about pH swings you will have enough kH in your water that it will be a non issue.
   
   
3. Neos are pretty hardy. You could probably go 3-4 weeks easy before you will need a water change depending on how much crap you add to your water. When your tank gets to 250-300 TDS (or 3-4 weeks depending on which happens first) it's time for a water change.
   
   
4. When doing a water change the end goal is to make sure the TDS will end up between 200-250 TDS. It's a little bit of a guessing game (since I hate sitting down and doing all the math) but lets say your tank is at 300 TDS. I would do a 20% water change and when I am adding new water to the tank I would add gh/kh+ to the new RO/DI water until the TDS was 120-150. Once I added that to the tank the tanks TDS should normalize to about where I want it.
   
   A few pointers about your tank:
   
   
5. You will want a new filter. From the picture I saw I would araid of shrimplets getting sucked up into the big cracks you have on the filter you have. I would suggest a small aquaclear and to purchase one of these (http://www.hanaquatics.com/ss-filter-guard/)
   
   
6. I would purchase a small air powered filter (http://www.amazon.com/XinYou-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-XY-2821/dp/B009V3UGDS) or (http://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78)
   
   The sponge filter will grow mincroorganisms that the shrimp love to eat. It will allow your shrimp to graze and be healthy at all times.
   
   I know this is a large wall of text but once you get the hang of it Neocardina are quite forgiving.
   
   NOTE: The salty Shrimp gh/kh is very concentrated so a little will go a long way.

Usually the sponges have a gallon rating you can go by (on the box, varies by model). This Sponge Filter is similar to the one you describe, and supposedly lists 100 gallons as the max load. People in the comments recommend it only be used in tanks 50 gallons or smaller to be on the safe side. This being said, I ran a 60 gallon sponge in my 40 gallon tank without any issues for several months before upgrading a canister filter.

I'm no expert (feel free to correct me! :P), but from the size of your tank those sponges look more than ample. They're not blocked off, and the pumps are moving air in a steady stream. If you're worried about suction, you can usually feel it when you touch the sponge. If you see slight accumulation of particulate matter on them, it's safe to assume they're working.

Sponge filters are these little filters that use a vacuum (this is one) to pull water and gunk through the filter. They're fairly common and fairly cheap. Run by a air pump outside.

Marina Battery-Operated Air Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TLWXOS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cbMdzbCJMNTEY

XY-380 Aquarium Fish Tank Biochemical Sponge Filter, 4-1/2-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XbMdzbCW64ACY

5 Gallon White Bucket & Lid - Durable 90 Mil All Purpose Pail - Food Grade - BPA Free Plastic - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1LUFEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FcMdzbJ3S2MBT

I'm sure you can find the bucket cheaper in store.

Most likely not (working as well). And there are ones that for the price of getting the materials to put into the container, and the container itself... well... you could have just gotten one of known good materials:

(side note) your betta may LOATHE the surface disturbance from the bubbling... I seem to be getting far better responses from the hagen/fluval/aquaclear 20 series for the smaller tanks... has adjustable flow, and far quieter than an air pump.

option 1:
http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Efficient-Economy-Filters/dp/B00511P8CS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462470473&sr=8-3&keywords=bubble+filter

option 2: http://www.amazon.com/PENN-PLAX-SAM-Penn-plax-Bubbler/dp/B0002AQ2LY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462470473&sr=8-4&keywords=bubble+filter

http://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462470473&sr=8-1&keywords=bubble+filter

HOB filter: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3608+3610&pcatid=3610&r=2

ok, something like this could work
http://www.amazon.com/XY-2831-Sponge-Filter-Aquarium-10-gallon/dp/B0056XVF82/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1463855420&sr=8-8&keywords=sponge+filter

or this

http://www.amazon.com/XY-380-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-Filter/dp/B0051XIN78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463855420&sr=8-1&keywords=sponge+filter

Could work, keep in mind these are just examples and there are several brands out there that are similar in price and might have better shipping

• Make sure you take that dead plant out asap. If it decays in there, it will cause a whole spike in your water quality.
  
  
• You can look at the Jardin Aquarium Sponge Filter. I've used them several times and have had no issues.
  
  
• Some substrate for a planted tank that I have used is Eco-Complete
  
  
• Do you have flourescent lighting? LED lighting? Incandescent? That all ties into good plant growth :)
  
  
• For the wood, I would try boiling it and then soaking it to keep the water clearer if that's what you want.
  
  Just do it all slowly if you are having trouble affording it. I know how it is to be able to afford even a fish. Just do everything a little at a time. Good Luck!
  
  

This ones not too large, and you can stick it to the glass.

You'll need the sponge some airline tubing and an air pump.
Then just hook it up. Different sponge being used by same concept