Are you setting up your aquarium and wondering which is better, a sponge filter or a hang-on back filter? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered…
Both sponge filters and hob filters have a special role within the aquarium. There is no better between the two, and each filter has its own pros and cons. Depending on the requirements of your tank will determine which of these filters you will want to use.
Look… I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no yes or no answer to this question.
The type of filter you use depends on multiple things like your budget, the size of the tank, the aquatic life you plan on keeping, personal preference, and more…
But I have some good news…
By the end of this post, you should have enough information to make the best decision for you and your situation.
Sponge Filter Vs Hang On Back Filter Differences
If you want to look at a quick summary of the major differences between the two, you can take a look at the table I’ve created below:
| Features | Sponge Filter | HOB Filter |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Less Expensive | More Expensive |
| Power Source | Air Pump | Electrical Motor |
| Location | Inside Tank | Hanging On The Side Of Tank |
| Filtration | Biological And Mechanical Filtration | Biological, Mechanical, And Chemical Filtration |
| Setup | Needs airline and air pump (sold separately) | Everything is included at the time of purchase |
| Flow Rate | Low Flow (Usually adjustable by air pump) | High Flow (Adjustable In Some Models) |
| Maintenance | Very simple and easy to do. You’ll just have to squeeze the dirty sponge filter in some used aquarium water until the debris has been cleared. | A little more complicated. You may have to disassemble and do a more thorough cleaning compared to a sponge filter. |
| Tank Size | Recommended for small tanks up to 30 gallons (but can be used in larger tanks) | Recommended for tanks up to 75 gallons |
| Ideal For | Nano to medium tanks. Great for quarantine, breeding, and shrimp tanks that require very little water flow. | medium to large aquariums. Great for planted tanks, community tanks, and aquariums that can handle some water flow. |
| Recommended Products On Amazon | Check Out Aquaneat Sponge Filter On Amazon Here | Check Out Tidal HOB Filter On Amazon Here |
And I’ll have more details down below…
if you want to dive deeper into the major differences between a hob filter and a sponge filter. And a few things you should keep in mind when choosing one or the other.
Price
One of the main differences between these two filters comes down to price.
Sponge filters are so much more affordable than a hob filter.
You do have to purchase an air pump to operate your sponge filter, but even with that additional cost, these filters tend to be more affordable than hob filters.
Also, you want to keep in mind the ongoing cost of maintaining your filter. Hob filters have filter media that will need to be replaced as time goes by. Buying filter media is another cost associated with hob filters.
Power Source
Both of these filters will use electricity…
But one filter uses an air pump, and the other uses an electric motor.
The power source for a sponge filter is air. Sponge filters use air to help pull water through the sponge. This is how the biological filtration and mechanical filtration of this filter works.
On the other hand…
A hob filter uses an electric motor to pull water into it. Then, the water gets filtered through different layers and sometimes levels of mechanical filtration, biological filtration, and even chemical filtration.
Location
Sponge filters need to be inside your aquarium. There are sponge filters that sit on the bottom of the tank, and other sponge filters can be suction cupped to the walls of the aquarium.
Some people think these filters can be an eyesore, but there are a few creative ways to hide them within your aquarium with some clever use of aquatic plants and hardscape.
A hang-on-back filter does just that…
it hangs on the back of your aquarium. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to leave some room for your filter when placing your aquarium in certain areas.
Filtration Type
Sponge filters are able to perform biological filtration and mechanical filtration. Beneficial bacteria grow on the sponge, helping with the nitrogen cycle, and organic material will get caught in the sponge as well.
HOB filters have the same ability, but they also allow for chemical filtration as well.
Setup
You’ll need an air pump and some airline to get your filter set up when using a sponge.
On the other hand, HOBs come with everything you need right out of the box
Flow Rate
Sponges are good filters when you need low flow. You can adjust the flow a bit with the air pump when using these types of filters.
That’s why they are great filters for smaller tanks, low-stock fish tanks, hospital/quarantine tanks, shrimp tanks, betta tanks, and any aquarium where you want low water flow.
But hob filters have higher flow rates, which give them the power to filter through more gallons of water per hour compared to their sponge counterparts.
Great for heavily stocked tanks or aquariums where flow is welcomed.
Maintenance
sponges are the easier filter to clean out of the two. You just need to squeeze the dirty filter in some used tank water until all the debris from it clears up.
While hang-on back, hob filters require a little more work with some additional cleaning and disassembly.
Remember never to wash any of your filter media in tap water, which may contain chlorine that can kill the beneficial bacteria being grown on your filters.
Ideal For
Sponges are great for low-budget nano tank setups with low bio load and don’t require any water flow.
Hang-on back filters have more capability to filter more gallons of water with their high flow rate. This is good for high bio-load tanks that need some water flow.
Are HOB Filters Better Than Sponge Filters: Choosing The Right Aquarium Filter
HOB Filters are not better or worse than sponge filters. Each of these filters has a place within the aquarium hobby, and what filter you use depends on the size of your tank, bioload, the livestock you plan on keeping, and the budget you’re willing to spend.
it’s important to research what conditions your fish or other livestock need to be kept in and create an environment for them to thrive in.
Are there people out there who can overstock a 10-gallon fish tank with 20 fish and safely use a sponge filter to keep their livestock alive?
Yes, but if you don’t plan on doing water changes every day or turning fish keeping into your day job then use what equipment will make this hobby the most enjoyable for you!
It’s wiser to understock and over filter your aquarium than it is to overstock and under filter, in my opinion
Can I Use A Sponge Filter And A Hang On Back Filter
This answer might actually surprise you and might not be what you expected to hear…
You can absolutely use hang-on back filters along with a sponge filter in the same fish tank. This is actually recommended by many fishkeepers who have been in the hobby for a long time.
There are a couple of reasons why you might want to run these two filters in a fish tank.
For most, a HOB filter or canister filter might be the main filter for their display tank. But they keep a secondary sponge filter, so they always have filter media seeded with bacteria ready to go.
This is great if you want or need to:
- Jumpstart and instant cycle a brand-new aquarium
- Need to set up a quarantine tank for new incoming livestock
- Have to set up a hospital tank to treat any fish
Having an extra filter and media already loaded with bacteria can come in handy and is something you might want to consider doing.
Conclusion To Sponge Filter Vs Hang On Back Filter
I hope I’ve ended the sponge filter vs hang on back filter debate by now.
Each filter has its own pros and cons and can be used in different situations…
The important thing here is to understand the needs of the livestock you are keeping and the bioload you plan on handling in order to pick and choose the best filter for you and your situation.