prefilter sponge

[chadm]

i use a hang on surface skimmer,and ive always had a sponge in the prefilter.is this needed?
it seems to be clogging alot lately,probably from bits of bryopsis(i think).

[Brooke]

Hi Chad-
I have this in my 38g tank. So far I've just been taking the sponge out and rinsing it (preferably in clean saltwater). It is supposed help keep fish and other curious creatures out ( at least I'm hoping...I don't have any fish in there yet). I will probably keep my sponge on there so my seahorses won't get stuck. So, depending on what you have in your tank, it probably isn't necessary, IMO. Just rinse it out every few days if you decide to keep it.

Brooke

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hi! I have the Remora Pro hang-on skimmer with the filter box and sponge. I used the sponge in the filter while my tank was going through the cycle. I have since removed it from the filter and it was suppose to eliminate bubbles and I don't have any bubbles now.
I have 1 snail so far that has worked itself all the way up and is sitting on the lip of the skimmer where the water returns to the tank.
I also have a blue devil damsel who has been checking out the hole in the bottom of the filter and I might cut out a piece of fiberglass screening and put it in there at some point. Johnny

[Doug1]

Chad the prefilter sponge also helps cut down on the slurping noise, I got tired of rinsing mine out every other day and took it out, placed a folded towel over the outside box dampened the noise level

[chadm]

thanks for the replies everyone.it looks like
i might just go with out one if its not much noisier.