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20g Stocking/Compatibility:Scottbeck32976 (Questions & Advic

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by Anonymous, Feb 25, 2009.

  1. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    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!
     
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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!
     
  3. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    That too! I actually have a pre-filter on my Endler tank and it runs weak because of it!
     
  4. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

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

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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).
     
  6. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    I'm wondering are all or most power head submersible?
     
  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    Yes, all powerheads are placed underwater...
     
  8. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    OK just want to make sure, before I spent 20 or so buck then fried it on mistake.
     
  9. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    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!
     
  10. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    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.
     
  11. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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  12. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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.
     
  13. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    Okay so you just get the sponge slice it almost in half and just put it in the tank? please explain im kinda lost lol
     
  14. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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.
     
  15. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    intake opening you mean where the air goes out? how much does the sponge cost i have a petsmart right around the corner or a walmart.. please let me know..

    Thanks [dancing]
     
  16. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    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!
     
  17. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    So whats the easiest and cheapest way to keep your water filtered? any other way than having to buy a filter? im just curious
    ;)
     
  18. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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.
     
  19. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Starting out from scratch!!!

    Where did you get yours for 6?
     
  20. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    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.