Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Update 7/25/2020 So, on a whim, I decided to give this filter another look by modding it with an air stone. Not only are the results incredible, but combined with a 1-inch air stone from the Imagitarium Bubbling Column Airstone 4-Pack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074W91QSW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_panhFbKDYGZKE this is an incredible little sponge filter. The best thing about it is it is hands down own of the easiest mods you’ll ever do as the little air stone is a precise fit for the sponge filter. All you need to do is: 1) Take the base off the sponge. 2) Push the sponge up from the bottom and disconnect the bottom piece. 3) Pull off the sponge. 4) Take a pair of snips or strong hobby scissors and cut off the cross pieces that keep the middle shaft in place. 5) Remove the middle piece. 6) Put the Imagitarium air stone in the middle of the center piece. 7) Use your snips/scissors to cut the nub off the bottom of the base piece. 8) Slide the sponge back on and connect the base to the bottom of the filter. 9) Connect your air pump. You now have a completely silent sponge filter that you can drop in a corner of the tank and never see. Better still, you can take this out and it is small enough to go into virtually any size of enclosure. I was even able to use it in a small pet carrier! The only thing keeping this from a full 5-star review is that it has to be modded or it is unusable due to noise. That said, a 45 cent air stone and no more than 5 minutes of work and you have one of the most incredible filters out there! Original Review (1 star): Each aquarium I have has a sponge filter combined with a Hang on back filter. All are inaudible. Imagine my surprise when I connected this filter to an air pump and was absolutely assaulted by loud bubbling. It drowned out everything else in the room. I lasted about 10 minutes before I unplugged the air pump. Since it is absolutely minuscule, I have a practical application for it in an upcoming move for use in a travel enclosure instead of an airstone, but doubt I will keep this afterwards.