lose the sponge filter in my 12 gal aquapod?

[zoomster]

After reading several threads about the stock filtration of the aquapod, I followed some of the advice given and I removed my bio balls and ceramic rings. In the same research someone had suggested keeping the sponge and rinsing off every couple of weeks. Now all is going well except my nitrates are staying between 5 and 10 (AP test kit). Should I lose the sponge all together? Here's what I have:

15 lbs of live rock
No algae
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Phosphates-0
Calcium 450
PH-8.2
Temp- 79-81
2 gallon water changes weekly
All is great, but the nitrates won't go to zero.

Thanks for any advice

 

[ENraged]

i cut mine in to 3 peices and rotate them out ever other day or so. i will be swaping it out for good once my LFS gets some polyfilters in

 

[fishykid9212]

Well you don't have to, I leave mine in and as long as you clean it at least once a week, you should be fine.

 

[zoomster]

thanks folks

 

[noschmo]

Sponge can make for decent mechanicla filtration. On top of the sponge as the first medium the water hits as it moves thru the system, use a pad of polyfilter which can be disgarded weekly or even more often. Its a thick pad, one side white and the other blue. It will catch most of the gunk before it gets to the sponge then under that sponge in the first chamber I have a bag of chemipure or any other quality activated carbon.