125-150 Gal Extra Large Aquarium Sponge Filter with Air Stone and Ceramic Media, 4 Pack Quiet Fish Tank Sponge Filter for Breeding Fry Betta Shrimp Fish Tank

Nice filters! I am 110% satisfied!
I bought these sponge filters for my 75 gallon aquarium.I am using these two filters with a big HOB filter filled with sponge, ceramic media and a polishing pad. I’ve added API Quick Start as well.These sponge filters are high quality. They come with ceramic media balls that will help the beneficial bacteria, as well as weigh these filters down.I initially installed the air stones above the ceramic media and ran them for a couple of weeks. There is new drift wood in the tank, so there are some particulates at the moment. I did not see any particulates sucked on to the foam. (I know foam filters are not for mechanical filtration. I was curious about intake flow).So, yesterday I took the filters out and placed the air stones in first, UNDER the ceramic media. The suction improved tremendously. Now there are little particulates sucked on to the foam filters.I didn’t need to, but I did make the uplift tubes a little longer with some acrylic tubing I had laying around from another project. This improved the suction even more. The tubing I had is a little larger diameter, so I just slipped them over the stock intake tube. I didn’t have to glue them or anything. The new tubes are heavy enough to just sit there.I actually had to turn down the airflow on these filters after lengthening the uplift tubes, due to the increased water flow out of the tubes and the creation of micro bubbles.You do not have to modify the uplift tubes like I did. The filter water intake improved with putting the air stones under the bio balls.I am however going to modify these sponge filters even further. I am going to drill a hole in each one and run the tubing outside of the filters, so I can attach the tubing to the bottoms. The air hose will not run through the intake tubes any more. I am also going to remove the inner plastic structure inside the top part of the filter. That X shaped portion that the air tube runs through to keep it in place. Basically there won’t be anything obstructing the airflow. The tube will be open all the way down. (you can look up this modification on youtube. Look for “improving sponge filter flow”.Anyway, I am 110% satisfied. I cannot believe how good these big filters are, and that everything that is included. Bio balls and tubing too.I almost forgot: I have been using Tetra Cleaning Bacteria in the tank. I believe that it really is helping establish and keep a good supply of beneficial bacteria in these filters.Look at that video and those pics. It is hard to argue with these results.

Unstandardized outlet size
Outlet tubing of impractical diameter to couple with other devices (hang in the back, undergravel filter or water pump), requiring lots of tricks to get it working. Delivery was great.

DO NOT USE THE TUBING IT COMES WITH
DO NOT USE THE TUBING IN THE PACKAGE, I repeat, DO NOT USE THE TUBING THE COMES WITH THE PRODUCT. Please save yourself time and frustration and buy regular clear tubing or what have you. Literally ANYTHING else. The sponges work great, absolute no issue there. Love them.But this product comes with black tubing that is SUCH a hassle. Firstly, they only give you enough tubing for one sponge, so if you plan to use both, you’ll need additional tubing anyways. Secondly, and most annoying, is that the tubing is so malleable and soft that it is constantly disengaging from itself and the appliances. I’ve had this for over a month. Constantly while I’m sleeping or taking breaks from work, I see that my sponges are not on and not working because the tubing came off yet again. I’ve probably corrected the issue 20 times now. I’ve used an ungodly amount of electrical tape to make sure it stays together and even electrical tape won’t fix it. I’ve been too lazy to get more tubing but it is a MUST. My leftover clear tubing has had zero issues, it is all stemming from this black tubing that is utterly trash.Sponges are great. Just wish I could have them on long enough for the bacteria to cycle into them.

Exactly what I wanted
Good quality and ceramic media included which also helps it sink and stay on the bottom.