Hikari Bacto-Surge Foam Filter, XL (125 Gallon)

The BACTO-SURGE Sponge Filter WORKS GREAT as a standalone and / or a pre-filter for external canister filtration system. You can even stack them. (They snap together) I use both the Large and Extra Large sponge filters in two different aquariums as BOTH Stand alone & Pre-Filter. Attaching an XL Sponge Filter to the Fluval Filtering system is relatively simple. A little aquarium silicone, the cut off end of the pump side of an old Fluval hose, Fluval intake tube, Bacto-Surge tube and a razor knife to trim all the tubing to size. Attaching the large to the Fluval canister filtering system is even easier. The Bacto-Surge tube, Fluval intake tube, aquarium silicone, and a razor knife is all that’s needed.I highly recommend the BACTO-SURGE Foam Filters!!!

I have used Hydro-Sponge filters for a few years, but I have found these Hikari Bacto-Surge foam filters are much, much better. Other similar sponge filters often use cheaper polyester foam, which begins to break down in the water after about 6 months so that water does not pass through them very well. These from Hikari are a better foam material that is stable and retains its pore density. On my 10 gallon breeding and fry tanks, I use one of these with an air pump to provide all the filtration needed. For larger tanks I use them as a prefilter over the intake lines. They not only protect fish from getting hurt and provide additional bio-filtration capacity, they also insure that the ceramic media of my main filters stay clean of algae and debris. I never have to clean the main canister or trickle filters because using these as a pre-filter prevents muck from clogging the ceramic media. When needed it is simple to turn off the pump, remove these foam pre-filters, rinse, and replace.Whenever I want to set up a new tank, I take one of these from an existing tank and replace it with a new fresh one, and the old one with lots a bateria starts working immediately in the new tank without waiting for a nitrogen bacteria cycle. You can also stack two of these filters atop one another and the plastic core bits inside lock together to form one longer filter, two which you attach a powerhead for a simple and extremely effective biofilter.

Highly recommend this for 55 gallon and over tanks. It is hard to hide because it is so big. However, the beneficial filtration is worth it. You do need to have an air pump big enough to push the air through it.

I have two of these in the sump of my 125 gallon mixed reef. I run them for emergency tank set up and if I need to set up a hospital tank in a pinch. They work great and one of the XL filters is perfect for a hospital tank. Definitely a must have for anyone who keeps larger tanks.

This sponge filter is huge and pumps out bubbles that are quite and effective. This sponge filter is on my 75 gallon tank. I use sponge filters as an extra source of filtration and to store beneficial bacteria. I personally don't just use sponge filters, I added this on top of two marineland c360 & c220 canister. I can't comment on how well it sucks up debris for I just installed it but i'm sure it'll do great. For as big as it is, I have it hidden behind some plants so it's not an eye sore which I like.

I bought this as an additional filter to pair with a Marineland Emperor on my 75g.This thing is GIGANTIC. I didn't expect it to be small by any means, being listed as Extra Large. But it did surprise me a little how big it was. If you have anything under a 60 I wouldn't recommend this size. It is rated for a 125 gallon aquarium. I absolutely love it. Hiding it is tricky, but I wouldn't trade it in for anything else. The weighted stand was a little tricky for me to get on at first (I am admittedly kind of stupid sometimes though. It still only took a minute). It will be extremely buoyant if you just try and put it in and walk away. You have to get as much of the air out of it as possible or it will just float.I have much smaller sponge filters in my 5 gallon betta tanks and they do actually work very well and you can get a complete cycle with a sponge filter.

I use these for all of my QT tanks. They work great and provide all of the filtration you need in a temporary QT tank. Always go larger than what you need. I use this in a 29 gallon QT for saltwater fish. I never change it, I just barely rinse it in fresh saltwater before adding the next fish.

So far so good! Installed the sponge filter into our 150 gallon tank and wow! All our fish already like to group around it. It even comes with two air stones and a small piece of tubing so you can set up a air stone inside of the filter to break up the bubbles for better suction and less noise when the bubbles hit the surface of the water!I was surprised by how big it was to be honest. I thought it would be a little smaller but honestly its the size of tin of coffee grounds from the store. Doesn't bother me one bit just means more surface area for beneficial bacteria