The sponge filter consists of an airlift tube (cubefilter) and a 5" x 6" x 6" Poret foam sponge (30 ppi) that is glued with silicone onto an unglazed porcelain tile. This filter is optimal for 30-50 gallon tanks. Over the years, we have tested several sponges in our store and believe that this sponge (made by Swiss Tropicals) is one of the best on the market, as it does not clog quickly or fall apart like inferior sponges.
The Poret foam used is specifically manufactured for aquarium and pond use; it possesses a much larger inner surface area than other filter materials (approximately 1,800 square inches per quart of volume), which permits more rapid and superior growth of bacterial cultures. Poret® foam is a water-proof polyether foam with a particular open-cell structure. The reticulation process produces well defined open pores. This foam is not the same as foam commonly used for mattress, isolation or packing, since these foams are closed-cell foams. Many sponge filters available on the market are made of isolation or packing cell foam because it is much cheaper. However, these cheaper foams have closed air bubbles that are inaccessible to filter bacteria or water and consequently, they do not work very well. Polyether is resistant to hydrolysis and has outstanding aging, temperature (up to 250°F/ 90°C), and chemical stability when compared to other foams. The physical properties of Poret® such as compression and tear strength, and elongation are greater than conventional polyurethane foams. Poret® is also highly ozone and oxygen resistant, which is crucial for marine aquarium applications. Poret® foam does not contain toxic chemicals such as plasticizers. Poret® is specifically manufactured for aquarium and pond use and has a much larger inner surface than other filter materials (about 1800 sq inch per quart or liter of volume), which permits more rapid and superior growth of bacterial cultures. The foaming process is fluorocarbon-free and the foam can be disposed of safely by incineration. The size of pores is calculated in pores per inch (PPI) and the foam is made in pore sizes from 10-45 PPI, 10PPI poret is coarser than a 20 PPI poret foam. Coarse foam (10-20ppi) is ideal for tanks with a high bio-load while fine foam (30-45ppi) are recommended for tanks with fry or shrimps.
5"x"x6"x6" cube filter - 30ppi
The sponge filter consists of an airlift tube (cubefilter) and a 5" x 6" x 6" Poret foam sponge (30 ppi) that is glued with silicone onto an unglazed porcelain tile. This filter is optimal for 30-50 gallon tanks. Over the years, we have tested several sponges in our store and believe that this sponge (made by Swiss Tropicals) is one of the best on the market, as it does not clog quickly or fall apart like inferior sponges.
The Poret foam used is specifically manufactured for aquarium and pond use; it possesses a much larger inner surface area than other filter materials (approximately 1,800 square inches per quart of volume), which permits more rapid and superior growth of bacterial cultures. Poret® foam is a water-proof polyether foam with a particular open-cell structure. The reticulation process produces well defined open pores. This foam is not the same as foam commonly used for mattress, isolation or packing, since these foams are closed-cell foams. Many sponge filters available on the market are made of isolation or packing cell foam because it is much cheaper. However, these cheaper foams have closed air bubbles that are inaccessible to filter bacteria or water and consequently, they do not work very well. Polyether is resistant to hydrolysis and has outstanding aging, temperature (up to 250°F/ 90°C), and chemical stability when compared to other foams. The physical properties of Poret® such as compression and tear strength, and elongation are greater than conventional polyurethane foams. Poret® is also highly ozone and oxygen resistant, which is crucial for marine aquarium applications. Poret® foam does not contain toxic chemicals such as plasticizers. Poret® is specifically manufactured for aquarium and pond use and has a much larger inner surface than other filter materials (about 1800 sq inch per quart or liter of volume), which permits more rapid and superior growth of bacterial cultures. The foaming process is fluorocarbon-free and the foam can be disposed of safely by incineration. The size of pores is calculated in pores per inch (PPI) and the foam is made in pore sizes from 10-45 PPI, 10PPI poret is coarser than a 20 PPI poret foam. Coarse foam (10-20ppi) is ideal for tanks with a high bio-load while fine foam (30-45ppi) are recommended for tanks with fry or shrimps.
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