I agree about the HydroSponge. It's the best designed commercial foam filter out there. The Tetra line is good, but you will be replacing parts periodically & the lift tubes are kind of small. I do like the Tetra Pond foam filter for larger bare bottomed tanks. I can raise 100 juveniles in a 30 gallon tank with no fears of pollution even if I don't get around to changing water for a month or so. Don't buy the sponge cubes. You can make the cheaper. I find that an electric knife works well. It makes smooth cuts. To make the hole for the lift tube, just soak the sponge & freeze it. Then drill a 1" hole for some rigid tubing. Silicone a tile to the bottom & you are done. These can be made for next to nothing, but definite are not as good as HydroSponge or Tetra filters. Mike Wise Jody wrote: > This may seem a bit off-topic, but actually not given the number of breeders on this list. For sponge filters, does anyone have comments on the HydroSponge line? I'm trying to compare those with the homemade-looking cube-shaped 4X4X4 filters with a ceramic tile on the bottom and PVC tube sticking out of the top. Both types are available, but I wanted some seasoned expert opinions (that's you guys). I would be using these both with and without substrate in different tanks for breeding and (hopefully) grow-out. > > Thanks, > Jody > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. > For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, > email apisto-request@listbox.com. apisto-digest@listbox.com also available. > Web archives at http://lists.thekrib.com/apisto > Trading at http://blox.dropship.org/mailman/listinfo/apisto_trader ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. apisto-digest@listbox.com also available. Web archives at http://lists.thekrib.com/apisto Trading at http://blox.dropship.org/mailman/listinfo/apisto_trader