AQQA Aquarium Filter Fish Tank Sponge Filter Whisper Submersible Filters for Aquarium Foam Filter for Freshwater & Saltwater(Medium for 20-110 Gallon)

The media could not be loaded. First of all, the manufacturer's video for this product was great! I strongly suggest you watch THAT video before you watch the videos associated with reviews! I did. Then, when I watched the first 3 customer review videos, I was surprised. Yes, I was laughing, BUT I'm sure they're nice people as they were considerate in making a video, so I hope they figure it out. Or perhaps, that's the way they want to use this filter. I mean, even I am not going to use this in the exact and intended manner! They were leaving the TWO sponges intact, as it was shipped! Now, that won't kill your fish, but water has to be able to flow, to some significant degree through the sponge. The sponge is already quite dense which increases the surface area exponentially, allowing more beneficial bacteria to grow and consequently allowing that bacteria colony to consume more microscopic feces before it turns into ammonia,...so smooshing two sponges together (which btw was a smart thing for the manufacturer to do because it saves them a whole lot on shipping, on storing inventory, on the costs for packaging, etc.), blocks the water flow that you would have benefitted from. At first I was hesitant to comment on this, but I figure, I better share the limited knowledge I have ...and someone may correct me if I am wrong, and then I can learn too.The material seems sturdy enough, but I learned the hard way not to tinker too much, or else I'll have a full-on MacGyver job on my hands. The sponge seems like it's dense and made of good stuff that will last. Sometimes sponges arrive with a foul smell; not these. But JIC, I'm soaked them and rinsed them well.The plastic topper/cap that anchors the sponge seems to fit best if you line up the clamps and the grooves. These are tiny, so you have to look closely. This plastic might not last for years, but it'll do for now.In order to access the compartment where the ceramic bio balls are, you have to use a thin, flat screwdriver or something comparable. This is not the greatest design for me to be changing out the carbon, but hey, I created this challenge for myself by not using this filter in the exact way prescribed. Again, the plastic itself, as well as the open-close repetition will eventually break the areas that snap into place. I accept. So... I threw out the bio balls. I added my pelletized carbon, reassembled everything and then squeezed the air out of the sponge as I tried to submerse the filter. Because my air pump is so strong and because there is not any significant weight to hold the contraption DOWN without the bio balls, I had to open everything back up and add a couple of stones for weight. None of the carbon has escaped yet, so that's success :) And it stayed down.The bubbles. OMG it's a geyser of large sized air bubbles. I have a super strong air pump... with a cheap, crappy gang valve (but that is really the only kind in our local pet stores), so it was either feast or famine because there is no such thing as fine-tune adjustment on a cheap gang valve! There does not seem to be an airstone within the column, and after I tried to pull on the pieces a little... I decided not fix something that ain't broken. So it just comes gushing out Not a bad thing, I guess.Since a lot of the pieces, as well as how they are assembled, are shown in the manufacturer's video, I avoided posting any of the parts. The video here shows my two sponge filters running. The one at the edge is the typical sponge on a pedestal. The one which is more or less centered in my video is the AQQA filter.I think this is a nice looking sponge filter. It is definitely not the ghetto, cheap clear plastic "box filters" of the 1980s where you added filter wool and "charcoal". Nor is it the typical round sponge filter on a pedestal that just looks ugly. If I had a display tank that required a sponge filter, this is the one I would choose. For me, I wanted to add chemical filtration to my pond where I breed veil tail rosy barbs. I am hoping this filter keeps them healthier and allows me at least a few day more between water changes.

Easily my new favorite filter. It's low profile, does its job, and has a compartment for bio media. Awesome value. Definitely recommended.

Great little filter! Placed it in my 10 gallon betta tank after adding sand and other things that clouded the water, and only about 12 hours later I had a clear tank. My tank stays clean

It seems to be your typical sponge filter. The only issue is that it’s very, very light and I had a hard time trying to get it to stay where I wanted it. It would be absolutely perfect if the bottom was just a tad bit heavier.

Pretty good product! Most of the bad reviews i saw on here were from people who are clearly new to the hobby and had complaints like it looks bulky and ugly, “i didn’t know you need an air pump” 🤦‍♂️, “why is my filter floating”, or complaints about it getting dirty… if any of these are your issue, do a little research on what a sponge filter is and how it works… i will give you a run down of what i think about this filter… the truth is i gave it 5 stars, but really i wish I could give a 4.5 rating and here is why:Pro’s:1) gives a good flow.2) extra bio media at the bottom is a great idea! Makes more surface area for nitrifying bacteria.3) very affordable for what you get!4) i like the ability to down-stack it for shallower setups.Con’s:1) does not come with air-stone, nor can you add 1… (though i feel that the dispersion system it uses is pretty sufficient for most uses by itself already, and it isn’t super loud or anything)2) could be made with better plastics… (though for the price you get it for this is understandable).3) is a little bulkier than other filters of the same caliber (although this is not a problem for me as my fish are pets not decorations, and i can always scape a tank to hide this if i want to set up a more display oriented tank).Overall this is an excellent product. If you do get this, keep in mind that you do need an air pump and lining to make this work. You should also make sure to have some way to control air flow (either an adjustable pump, or just an air control valve) and a check valve. Also know that sponge filers, unlike hanging filters, take up floor space of your tank…

Do not use in take with bottom feeders the tube that holds the sponge to the base my loach was cleaning it and got stuck and died he probably found snails in there ,other than that it was a good filter but I would never order again fish are very curious

good for baby tank but doesnt keep tank very clean

Highly recommended. It works very well, and is a great addition to keeping the fish tank clean. Very good value. Very quiet