Question: Air Powered Sponge Filter Enough?

[Gimpdiggity]

Hi everyone.

I have a 10 gallon tank with a juvenile axolotl in it. It's got a tile bottom that I made for it and a couple of hides in it.

I'm using just a 3x3.5" sponge filter with an air pump designated for a 10 gallon aquarium.

I'm cleaning up debris everyday with a baster, and I'm doing regular water changes.

Is this enough filtration for my axolotl, or should I be supplementing the sponge filter with a HOB filter and a spray bar to minimize the water movement?

I ask because when I do water changes, it seems like it ends up stirring up quite a bit of debris that is too small to actually see when I'm cleaning things with the baster. I'm not sure if it would really make any difference, though.

Thanks.
Jeff

 

[Hoagii]

I don't have a ton of experience with sponge filters, but it's my understanding that they are plenty filter for the biological filtration of your tank (collecting good bacteria to keep down nitrates/ammonia) but do nothing as far as mechanical filtration (removing debris). I think if you are ok with regularly sucking out a bunch of debris, I should be just fine while your axolotl is small.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Be prepared to purchase a larger tank for when your Axolotl is no longer a juvenile, a 10 gallon is not big enough to house an adult, you would then also want to purchase a new filter.

As Hoagii said, keep on top of cleaning, and do your weekly water changes and you should be fine for now!