5 Best Sponge Filters for Betta Tank

Sponge filters are among the many kinds of filters out there that are meant to clean up a fish tank. They are usually praised for their easy setup and their combination of mechanical and biological filtration processes which can be useful if you are a beginner at fishkeeping.

However, not all sponge filters out there work well, and this is why you may be looking for the best sponge filter in the market.

Unlike HOB filters and canister filters, a sponge filter needs to have its own air pump in order for it to work. The way it does is that it pumps air and the sponge contracts and expands to clean up the fish tank’s water contents.

However, sponge filters can also be loaded with additional filter media, provided that they also have spacious media trays at hand.

Our Top 5 Best Sponge Filters

Here are our top picks for the best sponge filter:

Aquaneat Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter

Made with a sponge filter design that has slits on the side, this bio sponge filter has a capacity of up to 60 gallons and can be used even on smaller species, such as shrimp, fry, and betta fish. Sized at 4.5 x 8 inches, this sponge can be easily squeezed for cleaning.

Since the power is not as high as regular filters, it can be used for a cichlid, guppy, killifish, and other dwarf species.

This filter can be easy to maintain – after 3 to 6 months, you can just replace the sponge. You can also add a diffuser so that the bubbles aren’t too big.

Things We Liked

• Has a sturdy design that doesn’t float
• Easy to set up
• Good for breeding tanks
• Okay for small fish species
• Can be used by axolotl keepers

Things We Didn’t Like

• The instructions aren’t very clear

Huijukon Air Pump Double Sponge Filter

Rated for use in tanks up to 55 gallons, this one features mechanical and biological filtration, which can be helpful in aerating your fish tank with helpful bacteria for biological filtration.

It can be easily set up with 2 suction cups so that you can set it on your tank easily.

You can use it for various species, such as breeders, fry, turtles, betta fish, babies, goldfish, axolotl, guppies, nano fish, and the like.

Since it has 2 sponges, it can cycle much faster than regular sponges. Each of them also has layered slits so it has more layers to pump. Since the height is adjustable and is telescoping, it can adapt to different aquarium sizes or heights.

Things We Liked

• Easy to set up
• Okay for small breeds
• Adjustable height
• Telescoping action
• Adjustable spray outlet
• Uses mechanical and biological filtration

Things We Didn’t Like

• Some air pumps may arrive with damage (depending on the batch)

Lustar – Hydro-Sponge V Filter for Aquariums

This filter is rated for larger tanks of up to 125 gallons so it may work well for those who are keeping fish as a business or have a lot of fish in their tank.

You can also use it if your tank has larger fish. It uses a sponge foam with slits on the sides and each of them traps waste for a mechanical cleaning without trapping the baby fish.

You can place the filter in different ways, either horizontally or vertically. Since it has a heavy base, it won’t float unlike other lighter sponge filters out there, which can be good for tanks with naughty fish.

Things We Liked

• Good for big aquariums
• Okay for plecos and snails
• Stays at the bottom of the tank
• Can be placed horizontally or vertically
• Great for large fish

Things We Didn’t Like

• Some parts may be missing depending on delivery (contact the manufacturer in this case)

uxcell XINYOU XY-380 Aquarium Sponge Filter

As a filter that uses biological filtration, this one is ideal for tanks up to 20 gallons in size.

With dimensions of 8 x 4.5 inches, the dense foam makes it easy to set at the bottom of the tank without easily floating. It also doesn’t trap fish, especially small ones, due to the smart design.

It is able to hold large bacterial populations for biological filtering. This filter is applicable for fish such as the dwarf cichlid, guppy, killifish, betta fish, goldfish, and the like.

You also don’t need to worry about baby fish since it has a design that won’t suck them in. It is also easy to blend with aquarium plants.

Things We Liked

• Good for betta fish
• Settles at the bottom of the tank
• Doesn’t trap small fish or babies
• Easy to hide behind aquarium plants
• Easy to set up

Things We Didn’t Like

• Can be difficult to add an air stone

Bacto-Surge High-Density Foam Filter

We picked this sponge set because of its simple yet effective design. It can be used on smaller tanks, breeding tanks, and those with fry/shrimp since it doesn’t suck up fish.

It has a size of 4 x 4.5 inches and it can be used for up to 75 gallons of tank size.

If you have a quarantine tank, you can also use this just fine. You can also stack the filters and you don’t need any tool to put them together.

This is so that you can get better cleaning action from the filter. The large design can make it work well on larger tanks – you can even use it if your tank is at 55 gallons.

Things We Liked

• Sturdy design
• Applicable for bigger tanks
• Good foam quality
• Easy to tie down to the substrate
• No clogging issues
• Big surface area

Things We Didn’t Like

• May not work well with shallow tanks due to its height

Things to Consider

In choosing the best sponge filter, here are some criteria:

What are the benefits of a sponge filter?

Sponge filters are probably the best with the following:

1. Easy setup. They are a no-brainer filter to set up if you are new to fish keeping. A sponge filter is usually just simple to put together with its tubes, sponges, suction cups, and the like.

 

2. Good for small tank sizes. Since they don’t take up way too much space and they don’t have a lot of power, sponge filters are best for small tanks.

 

3. Not very expensive. They are quite cheaper than most HOB filters and canister filters out there.

 

4. Can generate beneficial bacteria. This can help you clean up the aquarium water without having to rely on filters alone.

 

5. The generated current is not that strong. Since sponge filters are quite gentle, your breeder fish and babies will thank you for not getting sucked in.

What problems could I encounter with a sponge filter?

With the advantages of sponge filters given, here are things you may need to know before you buy one:

1. Sponge filters don’t exactly have chemical filtration. For that, you will need a HOB filter which has filter trays that you can put in activated carbon inside.

 

2. They may not be as powerful as your regular filters. If you have a HOB or a canister filter in your tank already then putting a sponge filter as a supplemental filter may actually work. However, don’t solely rely on it if you want crystal clear water in a tank of busy bettas!

Which fish work well with a sponge filter?

Any fish that has the following criteria can work best with a sponge filter:

1. Small fish. If your fish are too small, they could be just fine in a sponge filter due to the low pressure.

 

2. Baby fish and breeders. This goes the same if you have breeding fish that have babies.

 

3. Bottom dwellers. Fish that often swim at the bottom go near the filter, so it’s best to have a sponge filter that doesn’t disturb them.

How do I choose the best sponge filter?

To look for the best sponge filter, you may need to check out the following:

1. Design of the sponge. It should have different layers for more filtering stages.

 

2. Quality of the sponge. It should be dense enough and not easily float off the aquarium.

 

3. Ease of setup. It should be simple to put together (even without much instructions).

 

4. Rated size of the aquarium. You should know your aquarium size (in gallons) before you buy a sponge filter.

Conclusion

We chose the Aquaneat Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter for the best sponge filter because of its sturdy design that doesn’t float and it is easy to set up. The filter is good for breeding tanks and is also okay for small fish species. In fact, it can be used by axolotl keepers.

While its instructions are not that clear, the filter is fairly easy to set up in general anyway. Our other picks here are also worth trying with their unique shapes and features.