Aquarium Kits for Filtration, Circulation and Water Conditioning
We have a choice of 11 different combinations:
The Basic Kit (no filter), the Mini Filter Kit,
the #1 Filter Kit, the #2 Filter Kit, the #3A Filter Kit, the #3B Filter Kit, the #3 Twin Filter Kit,
the #5A Filter Kit, the #5B PRO Filter Kit, the #5C Filter Kit, & the #5D PRO Filter Kit.
For tropical fish a heater/thermometer is recommended, otherwise gravel and possibly lights is all you need once you purchase an aquarium.
These kits (or our AAP/SeaChem Tidal HOB Filters) are a superior idea to low end starter filters commonly sold at big box stores such as WalMart.
You can purchase basic aquarium & gravel there and then purchase one of these kits or similar here for a better starter aquarium set up.
It should be noted, that despite the many modern and often expensive filters on the market, that many controlled tests (that many advanced aquarium keepers/breeders are aware of) show the superiority of sponge filtration, making these inexpensive kits a vastly better value not only in cost, but in effectiveness.
Please see this article for more about the benefits of sponge filtration:
Aquarium & Pond Sponge Filtration
Please click all pictures below for a better view & scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase.
Also see the Set Up Instructions Section.
Basic Pump Kit
Includes Million Air 80 Pump, 4" air-stone, 5' airline tubing, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner. ONLY $14.99
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Filter Kit "Mini" (For 1-5 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes: Million Air 80 Pump, ATI Hydro Sponge Mini Filter, 5' airline tubing, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP ProAqua,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
ONLY $19.99
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Filter Kit #1 (For 2-10 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes: Million Air 80 Pump, ATI Hydro Sponge 1 Filter, 5' airline tubing, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
ONLY $19.99
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Filter Kit #2 (For 5-20 Gallon Aquariums).
Includes: Million Air 80 Pump, 5' airline tubing, Hydro Sponge 2 Filter, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
ONLY $20.99
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HYDRO SPONGE II
*Capable of moving more water than other sponge filters.
*Raised off bottom, no dead space.
*Heavier base.
*Easy to clean. Just rinse and squeeze in used aquarium water (never tap water).
*Extra sponges can be purchased and kept in the aquarium for quick bio-cycling of new aquariums, hospital tanks, or replacement of the old sponge when worn out
*The ATI Hydro-Sponge Filter provides both mechanical and biological filtration. Aerobic bacteria colonize the sponge providing a bacterial substrate to facilitate the nitrogen cycle.
Filter Kit #3A (For 15-35 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes:
Million Air 80 Pump, Hydro Sponge 3 Filter, 5' airline tubing, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or
SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
ONLY $21.99
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Filter Kit #3B (For 15-35 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes: AAP JT-132, Hydro Sponge 3 Filter, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
*Pictures display two ways to mount power head pump. ONLY $31.99
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Filter Kit #3 TWIN (For TWO 15-35 Gallon Aquariums OR ONE 40-60 Gal. Aquarium)
Includes: Million Air 400 Twin Air Pump, (2) Hydro Sponge 3 Filters, 10 feet of air line tubing, and AAP DeChlorit,
or AAP Ammoclor, or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner. ONLY $30.99
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HYDRO SPONGE III
*Capable of moving more water than other sponge filters.
*Raised off bottom, no dead space.
*Heavier base.
*Easy to clean. Just rinse and squeeze in used aquarium water (never tap water).
*Extra sponges can be purchased and kept in the aquarium for quick bio-cycling of new aquariums, hospital tanks, or replacement of the old sponge when worn out
*The ATI Hydro-Sponge Filter provides both mechanical and biological filtration. Aerobic bacteria colonize the sponge providing a bacterial substrate to facilitate the nitrogen cycle.
Filter Kit #5A (For 30-60 Gallon Aquariums).
Includes: Million Air 200 Air Pump (or TMC Premium Aquarium Pump), Hydro Sponge 5 Filter, 5' airline tubing, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor, or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
*The air pump method is the simplest sponge filter set up (& the preferred method of our aquarium maintenance company for both aesthetics and simplicity).
ONLY $25.99
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Filter Kit #5B PRO (For 40-70 Gallon Aquariums)
*Same as above, except this uses a Hydro Sponge #5 PRO. ONLY $28.99
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Filter Kit #5C (For 30-60 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes: AAP JT-132 Pump, Hydro Sponge 5 Filter, and AAP DeChlorit, or AAP Ammoclor,
or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner.
ONLY $35.59
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Filter Kit #5D PRO (For 40-70 Gallon Aquariums)
Includes: AAP JT-132 Pump, Hydro Sponge 5 PRO Filter (higher flow rates!), and AAP DeChlorit,
or AAP Ammoclor, or SeaChem Prime Water Conditioner
(Pictured is the basic setup).
ONLY $37.59
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*Pictures of #5 Kits display 2 ways to mount power head pump.
(Picture of 5C shows advanced power head set up while 5D shows basic power head set up).
*Make sure to follow the picture diagrams for installation of the extra wide Hydro Sponge #5 to a Power head as the sponge is too wide for the power head to utilize the suction holders.
Also available separately:
Set of Two Air Diffusers (Discontinued) - $1.39
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Air Pump/Sponge Filter Installation with and without optional air diffuser:
(Click the picture to enlarge)
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Why Purchase from American Aquarium Products
RELATED PRODUCTS & INFORMATION:
For Complete Sponge Filtration Information:
Sponge Filtration
ATI Hydro Sponge Filters
Premium ATI Hydro Sponge Aquarium Filters for bio and mechanical aquarium filtration.
Also replacement sponges and parts for Hydro Sponge!
Via Aqua Internal Aquarium Power Filters
Economical and Simple Internal Power Filters; 120 to 525 GPH.
SeaChem Tidal Premium HOB Filters
High Capacity, superior design & durability over Aqua Clear.
AAP JT-132 Economy Water Pump & Powerhead
Dependable power head aquarium pump at a GREAT price!
Compact CFL 6400K Bulbs
A vastly better choice than incandescent light bulbs for your basic aquarium set up,
in fact the useful light energy output is superior to the standard T8 lights sold with most aquarium kits!
For Aquarium Pumps:
Aquarium Pumps
AAP Million Air Economy Aquarium Air Pump
The most reliable and quiet air pump in its class.
For SeaChem products to help with you aquariums nitrogen cycle, such as Prime
to neutralize ammonia & nitrites (as well as chlorine and chloramines), Matrix and Purigen
for Nitrate control
or Stability
to aid in your aquarium cycling or for accidental high decaying organics removal
(this product does not take the place of full aquarium cycling).
FILTER KIT SET UP INSTRUCTIONS
Rinse and squeeze the sponge under water and slip the sponge on the strainer. Directions for use with a air stone (optional): Connect air stone to the bottom of the bull's eye, then connect bull's eye to the top of the strainer. Then connect air line tubing to the bull’s eye on the sponge filter and the other end of the air line tubing to an air pump.
Suggestions for air pump applications:
*The sponge usually will try and float when new (it will gain more weight over a few weeks as beneficial nitrifying bacteria form), I often will brace the Sponge Filter with décor/rocks for at least the first few weeks.
*The optional air diffusers will slightly increase flow and lower water surface agitation, however they are not required for proper sponge filter function (when run with an air pump).
For more about Sponge Filter set up (Diagrams too), please see this article:
Aquarium & Pond Sponge Filtration
Directions for use with a power head:
See pictures below (click these pictures to enlarge)
*Often I secure the power head/sponge combination to the aquarium with décor/rocks (this also hides the sponge from view) as well as the suction holders available with most power heads.
Picture 1- Basic:
Picture 2- Advanced with Lift Tube:
*It is important to note that the Hydro sponge #5 is too wide to utilize the suction holders on the Power Head (this includes any power head we have utilized, not just the Maxi-Jet as depicted here).
Please follow either set of of directions; if done properly, this should provide a relatively snug fit that will work with most fish tanks (although with large fish such as adult Oscars, I would suggest utilizing an air pump to power your Hydro Sponge #5).
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