20g Stocking/Compatibility:Scottbeck32976 (Questions & Advic

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

I just said a few posts back, (well this was one instance of a few) that the Angel Fry clouded around the intake (weak filter) and they got sucked into the prefilter to where they could not get out.

I tried a few other ways and they were still sticking to the sponge.... BUT again they are not live-bearers and quite weak at swimming, but that turned me off to prefilters and I just do sponges for breeding tanks now!

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

I tried covering my xp4 bottom of the heater intake thingey with a sponge (can probably see it in one of the photos)...and it stopped up the filter. Had to take it off. Same issue with the emperor 400s.
I did the pantyhose, but the shrimp found their way through (dirty lil buggers). Lol!

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

That too! I actually have a pre-filter on my Endler tank and it runs weak because of it!

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

I like this...it is interesting. What type of sponges are you/were you using?

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

I can't remember the name (can picture the box in my head)...it was the pre-filter that they sell in Petsmart for Turtle/Reptile tanks that are only partially full? It was black in color and about 3" in length and pretty much the same in diameter. Somewhere on here I have a photo and you can see it on the intake zip tied around the heater intake/ emperor intakes.
I think it's in the planted section (90g planted).

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

Yes, all powerheads are placed underwater...

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

I used an assortment of things:

Pantyhose - Horrible... the fish could not get away from the intake... this thing is like a 100GPH filter and was pulling them in with this from about 4 inches away...
Tetra Filter Bag - Pulled them a few inches from the intake, but once in became an ornament in the bag
The Sponge - it was something like this <a class="postlink" href="http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-85300140756196_2040_24279786" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/ ... 0_24279786</a> ..... yeah, this was kind of a mix of the pantyhose and the filter-bag... they would still get pulled into it.... this was on a 55 gallon tank and the only filter but the fish kept insisting on hanging out near the intake!

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

Well...if you feel like experimenting...look into the aqua clear sponges. They are not designed as prefilters. They are square and are supposed to go into the HOB filters. Just cut a slit almost all the way through. I even use them to help diffuse Co2 by letting the sponge catch the bubbles.

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

Here's what I use:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754144

They come in a three pack.

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

my intakes are too wide, i'd have to wrap them around and it would be a pain in my case. I have read where many others have been able to use them successfully though.

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

Yes, bought the pre-filter sponge...widened the hole in the center (for the one I used) and pushed it over the intake opening. If it fits too loosely or you have to do the wrap around..use zip ties to hold it in place.

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

No, intake is where the water comes into the filter.... the long tube on a Hang on Back (HOB) filter that pulls the water up! Also on a canister it looks the same as a HOB... It pulls the water in....

Nothing worse than having fish getting sucked into the filter!

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

as for the cost..I know I paid about $6 bucks...but I needed a really large one.
Couldn't answer on the other than a filter...I defin. do the overkill filtration.

 

Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

Petsmart in the turtle products aisle. It was a pre-filter for a turtle filter (the kind that go in partial water)...for the life of me I can't remember the brand. It was sold individually in a box that hangs on a peg in the store (not sitting on shelf)...the photo showed ceramic rings being inside the filter (cover picture) that was on this particular sponge filter.