Hikari Bacto-Surge Foam Filter | High-Density Sponge Filter

TheHikari Bacto-Surge Foam Filteris an air-driven sponge filter that delivers powerful biological and mechanical filtration without electricity in the tank. Its high-density foam holds an enormous surface area for beneficial nitrifying bacteria, making it an ideal primary filter for shrimp tanks, fry grow-outs, and quarantine setups, or as a dependable secondary filter on display tanks. Available in four sizes for aquariums from 10 to 125 gallons, in both freshwater and saltwater systems.

Why Choose Bacto-Surge

• Massive bio surface area— high-density foam with thousands of micro-pores cultures aerobic bacteria for stable, long-term biological filtration.
• Gentle, fish-safe flow— air-driven design produces zero suction risk, perfect for shrimp, fry, bettas, and recovering fish.
• Mechanical + biological in one— traps debris while continuously cycling water through living bacteria colonies.
• Tool-free maintenance— lift, rinse the sponge in old tank water, and reinstall. No cartridges to replace.
• Versatile— works in freshwater, saltwater, planted, breeder, hospital, and quarantine tanks.

Sizing Guide

Size	Tank Capacity	Best For
Mini	Up to 10 gallons	Betta tanks, shrimp nano tanks, fry grow-outs
Small	Up to 40 gallons	Quarantine tanks, community tanks, breeder setups
Large	Up to 75 gallons	Mid-sized display tanks, planted aquariums
X-Large	Up to 125 gallons	Large display tanks, koi grow-outs, secondary biofiltration

Setup & Use

• Air pump required— sold separately. The filter connects to any standard aquarium air pump via airline tubing.
• Recommended airflow— match the pump output to tank size; a stronger pump increases turnover and surface agitation.
• Placement— set on the substrate in a low-flow area of the tank; the sponge will draw water through as bubbles rise.
• Cycling— allow 4–6 weeks for the sponge to fully colonize. Seed with media from an established tank to speed up the process.

Maintenance

Rinse the sponge every 2–4 weeks in a bucket of removed tank water — never tap water, which kills beneficial bacteria. Squeeze gently to release trapped debris, then reinstall. The foam is durable and can last for years before needing replacement.

Specifications

Brand	Hikari Aquarium Solutions
Filter Type	Air-driven sponge filter
Filtration	Biological + mechanical
Sizes Available	Mini, Small, Large, X-Large
Tank Range	10 to 125 gallons
Water Type	Freshwater & Saltwater
Power Source	Air pump (sold separately)
Submersible	Yes — fully submerged

Recommended Pairings

• Air pumps, airline tubing & accessories — required to run the Bacto-Surge.
• Aquaforest AF Life Essence or Brightwell MicroBacter Start XLM — seed nitrifying bacteria to speed up cycling.
• Aquaforest AF Water Conditioner — detoxify tap water before adding to the tank.
• Filter media & cartridges — pair with HOB or canister filtration for full coverage.
• Shop more Hikari products

FAQ

Q: Do I need an air pump to use this filter?
A: Yes — the Bacto-Surge is air-driven and requires a standard aquarium air pump (sold separately) connected via airline tubing.

Q: Is it safe for shrimp and fry?
A: Absolutely. The sponge intake produces zero suction, making it the safest filter type for shrimp, fry, and small or recovering fish.

Q: Can I use it in saltwater?
A: Yes. The Bacto-Surge works in both freshwater and saltwater systems and is commonly used as a bio-filter in marine quarantine tanks.

Q: How often should I clean it?
A: Rinse the sponge every 2–4 weeks in removed tank water. Never use tap water — chlorine will kill the beneficial bacteria you’ve worked to build.