Invert Filter Issues

[black_sun]

Well, for the last few days my filter has been operating at sub-par levels and I couldn't figure out why.

This morning, however, I happened to notice little claws sticking out of the bottom of my filter. And shortly after, this came crawling out:

http://i39.tinypic.com/1z5kwvn.jpg

The little bugger has been dragging plant pieces up into the filter and making himself a little nest of sorts. Apparently, he's too good for the standard PVC pipe homes that the other crayfish use.

But anyway, my filter doesn't filter with nests built inside of it obviously. I was wondering if I put netting or mesh or something around the filter, would it still filter properly? I can't really afford to let the water quality drop with this particular group of crays, so I don't want to do anything that could affect the filter's capacity to function (you know, more so than the darn nest building crayfish has).

Also, if the mesh/netting isn't an issue for use. It won't be an issue for the inverts, will it? I have some snails in there, too, they won't try to eat it or something will they? I know my crayfish will try, but they'll stop shortly after finding out it doesn't taste good.

Thanks for any thoughts! ^_^

[vampie]

Many people use stockings or sponges as pre-filters. It keeps inhabitants out of the filter, and won't heavily hinder flow.

[black_sun]

Ooo, a use for the stockings I'll never use. Awesome! (actually, that's really awesome... I was thinking I was going to have to cut up one of my nets or fishing shirts)

[vampie]

Be sure to clean it regularly though, since it will eventually clog and that will severely slow your filter down.

[Kashta]

Ooo, a use for the stockings I'll never use. Awesome! (actually, that's really awesome... I was thinking I was going to have to cut up one of my nets or fishing shirts)

Haha.. if it helps any, you can get one of those packages of knee-high stockings sold in little bulk packages at the checkout counter of drug stores and the like. This spares you from having to actually walk through the feminine products aisle. Just do your best to keep a straight face when the sales person rings up your order.. and don't ever tell anyone about it. lol. (We promise to keep it a secret, too.)

:lipssealedsmilie:

[black_sun]

Haha.. if it helps any, you can get one of those packages of knee-high stockings sold in little bulk packages at the checkout counter of drug stores and the like. This spares you from having to actually walk through the feminine products aisle. Just do your best to keep a straight face when the sales person rings up your order.. and don't ever tell anyone about it. lol. (We promise to keep it a secret, too.)

:lipssealedsmilie:

Luckily for me, I have about 20 unopened packages of assorted knee-highs and regular stockings from waaaaay back in the day when mother-dearest still hoped her little girl would grow out of the tomboy phase. Needless to say, 10 years later, I'm still a tomboy and those stockings are collecting dust lol.

(You should see me in the feminine products aisle though, I look so incredibly out of place with my baggy, goth-rocker clothing and assorted piercings and hairstyles. I get the oddest looks from both the customers and the employees lmao)

[Kashta]

How funny. lol. At least you're stocked up already and get to find some use for them after all.

[bettabrat]

Get yourself a little tiny scrub brush thing too because the hose will probably gunk up once a week and need a good cleaning. I went that route for a little while and then I just invested in some thin sponges...but this was in a shrimp tank.

WooHoo for practical uses for old stockings! :headbang2::lol:

I guess your cray thought the tank needed a little redecorating...

[black_sun]

Get yourself a little tiny scrub brush thing too because the hose will probably gunk up once a week and need a good cleaning. I went that route for a little while and then I just invested in some thin sponges...but this was in a shrimp tank.

WooHoo for practical uses for old stockings! :headbang2::lol:

I guess your cray thought the tank needed a little redecorating...

...but if I use a scrub brush I'll get a run in my stockings! lol

And yes, apparently the little thing thinks he's an interior decorator. I saw him dragging plants back up into the filter this morning, after I just scooped them all out again last night. He's determined. :headshake2:

[bettabrat]

I can't stop laughing, I can so see a determined crayfish ripping through the panty hose now steady stuffing away with the plants. What species is that one?

[clb2196]

This probably wouldn't work for most intakes, but in building a taller wall for the filter part of my BioCube (which partially covers the intake vents_ I siliconed on some of that plastic mesh used for crafting. Allows for more flow than nylons or similar, but still too small to allow anything through (except possibly very tiny fry). :)

[black_sun]

I can't stop laughing, I can so see a determined crayfish ripping through the panty hose now steady stuffing away with the plants. What species is that one?

Yea, you know... I wonder if he can. It may be too stretchy for him to tear a hole in, then again, maybe not lol. We'll find out soon enough! ^_^

Anyway, I don't know what species this one is. It's from the genus Procambarus, though. He and his tankmates were rescued feeders I picked up at the LFS because they all had horrible cases of shell rot and I felt really bad for them. But since they're still juveniles, it's hard to ID them. When they get a bit bigger it should be easier, they'll start developing more identifiable characteristics.

[black_sun]

This probably wouldn't work for most intakes, but in building a taller wall for the filter part of my BioCube (which partially covers the intake vents_ I siliconed on some of that plastic mesh used for crafting. Allows for more flow than nylons or similar, but still too small to allow anything through (except possibly very tiny fry). :)

Oo, there's an interesting idea, too. I wonder if I could get something similar going on... my filter separates into pieces though (for cleaning, packing, etc), so it'd have to be something that could eventually be removed, if needed. Does siliconing something on work like Epoxy (superglue), in which removal becomes very difficult?

[paperdragon]

Just make sure you use only man-made fibers. I learned the hard way that crayfish really like the taste of cotton. Found a whole tank full of tangled up dead crays the day after covering an intake once.

[black_sun]

Just make sure you use only man-made fibers. I learned the hard way that crayfish really like the taste of cotton. Found a whole tank full of tangled up dead crays the day after covering an intake once.

Yikes, that's not good. :(

Question though, if using man-made fibers... are there any that can leech something hazardous into the water, that should be avoided? Or that's just an over paranoid thought of mine? ...I'm known for unnecessarily odd idle thoughts, I apologize.

[paperdragon]

I think the thing I would worry about would be dyes in the fabric, rather than the fabric itself. I've never heard of any problems though.

[mellowvision]

why not just get a foam intake cover?

[black_sun]

why not just get a foam intake cover?

Because until just now, I'd never heard of one lol.

Are they available for all filters, or just certain kinds?