View Full Version : What sponge prefilter for Eheim?
Gumby7
02-18-2003, 9:36 PM
Hi
What sponge prefilter will fit Eheim 2215 which has 12/16mm hoses (i.e. sponge must fit over 1/2" rigid tube)?
I'd really prefer black.
Thanks in advance
Gumby (just filled my 48g!)
JSchmidt
02-19-2003, 8:41 AM
You have at least two choices, and maybe more.
One option is to get a FilterMax III (available from That Pet Place for less than $10). It has a plastic assembly over which the sponge slides; the whole thing attaches to the intake tube. It comes with adapters to fit various sizes of tubes, and would certainly fit a 2215 intake.
Another, less expensive option is to buy a Tetra PHAS sponge (also available online) for about 3 or 4 bucks. Then drill holes in the last 3" or so of the intake tube and slide the PHAS sponge over the now-perforated intake tube end.
I use both methods, and my current favor leans toward the DIY method with the PHAS. Although the FilterMax is bit easier initially to install (you don't have to drill any holes) the sponge is less dense than that of the PHAS and doesn't trap as much gunk. Also, my FilterMax broke - the plastic assembly that holds the sponge cracked and now the two pieces that snap together to hold the sponge in place don't hold. I've had to resort to semi-regularly temporary fixes, but the plastic that supports the sponge is developing more cracks. My FilterMax is only a couple of years old... I wonder if others who have them have experienced any cracking. Anyway, the PHAS sponges last pretty much forever and do a great job prefiltering.
There are certainly other black, cylindrical sponges that you could use for prefilters, but I've not got first hand experience with them.
Jim
Good post Jim, agree.
I've broken a FilterMax cage myself (the internal two-piece framework) - I just assumed it was my own clumsiness. I do have several going (4? 5?), and they do get cleaned routinely, so one damaged did not bother me. Hmmm - wonder how common this is?
Gumby7
02-19-2003, 7:37 PM
Originally posted by JSchmidt
You have at least two choices, and maybe more.
One option is to get a FilterMax III ...
Another, less expensive option is to buy a Tetra PHAS sponge ...
Jim
Jim
Thanks for your input.
Do either of these cause a significant drop in the filtering rate? Is one less restrictive than the other?
I don't have any experience with sponge prefilters but I think I am only trying to keep out bits of plants etc that are large enough to be filtered by any sponge(?)
Gumby
No, you are lowering the load on your canister and reducing the tank nitrate load by frequent rinsing of the prefilter. I rinse all mine at least weekly. I really cannot tell any significant difference between those two. The trick is to get the captured particulates - not just the jumbo fragments - out of the tank before they are digested.
JSchmidt
02-20-2003, 9:23 AM
RTR has much more experience under his belt in this areas, so I'd mostly second what he writes. I do notice a big difference in what my PHAS sponges capture compared to what the FilterMax captures. The PHAS sponges catch MUCH more crud. I think the foam is more dense and fewer of the small particles get through. If I get behind in my sponge rinsing, I do notice a reduction in flow first in the PHAS filtered canisters relative to the one with a FilterMax. That only happens when I don't rinse frequently enough, and it's a sign to me that I need to get back on the stick.
Personally, I'm quite happy to rinse my prefilter sponges weekly or even more often if it means less crud getting caught in the canister. Rinsing a prefitler sponge takes a few minutes, tops. Tearing down a canister takes considerably longer.
HTH,
Jim
OK, Jim has a good point - not everyone knows about my filtration neuroses. My biocanisters are not the only filtration in my tanks, I have multiple mechanical-only filters, of which the canister pre-filter is but one. The others are largely Eheim internal canisters and a few old Fluval2 internals. All mechanicals are rinsed weekly. Thus my canister prefilter is carrying only a portion of the mechanical filtration load. Some of my FilterMax units are the model I also, that is much finer (too fine IMHO).
More frequent mechanical rinsing would be better, but it is wishfull thinking only for me. I'm doing well to get it done weekly.
Gumby7
02-20-2003, 7:57 PM
Sorry guys but you're going down the wrong path.
I was asking if the prefilter reduced the flow significantly (as in a drop in gph). I didn't mean a reduction in the bio load within the canister.
Are either of the sponges you recommend less restrictive?
Thanks
Gumby
JSchmidt
02-21-2003, 8:33 AM
That what I addressed in my post above. When clean, neither seems to impede flow. The PHAS sponges, by virture of being denser foam, clog sooner and will impede flow. We're talking purely mech aspects, has nothing to do with bio.
I won't run a canister without prefiltering. Seeing all the stuff the prefilter prevents from entering the canister made me an instant convert.
HTH,
Jim
JSchmidt or anyone else, why punch holes in the intake tube? I.e. why not put the prefilter directly over the intake strainer?
JSchmidt
03-22-2003, 7:27 PM
The sponges to which I referred won't fit over the intake strainer. There are some that might, but the foam tends to be thinner, thus reducing their filtering capacity.
Jim
Heady
03-22-2003, 11:38 PM
I am having a hard time finding this filter, lfs or online. Where do you usually purchase them?
JSchmidt
03-23-2003, 10:35 AM
The Filter Max prefilter sponge is available at That Pet Place for $7.99 (part #LP0011).
Also, Drs. Foster & Smith sells a sponge filter online (CD-960923 Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 2 (Repl. Sponge) $3.99) that looks like it would do the trick. I've not used any, but they look to be about the right size.
I've been unable to find any of the Tetra PHAS sponges on either site. They were on That Pet Place just a few weeks ago, but perhaps they've been discontinued.
HTH,
Jim
Hm, maybe I'll head down to my lfs and just pick up whatever sponge looks densest. I'd hate to buy something online then find out it's not what I needed. Anyway thanks for the help!
BumBumBee
03-23-2003, 2:56 PM
http://www.petsolutions.com/Graphics/20640045.jpg
Eheim makes a pre-filter. Here is a picture. You can go to petsolutions.com to read about it.
IME the Eheim prefilter is not very user-friendly or as effective as the sponges. The only advantage to it that I see is that it can be mostly buried.
anonapersona
03-23-2003, 6:26 PM
Originally posted by JSchmidt
The Filter Max prefilter sponge is available at That Pet Place for $7.99 (part #LP0011).
Also, Drs. Foster & Smith sells a sponge filter online (CD-960923 Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 2 (Repl. Sponge) $3.99) that looks like it would do the trick. I've not used any, but they look to be about the right size.
I've been unable to find any of the Tetra PHAS sponges on either site. They were on That Pet Place just a few weeks ago, but perhaps they've been discontinued.
HTH,
Jim
Try Drs. Foster Smith #CD-902227 $3.99 -- "for Tetra Super Brilliant Filter and PHAS"
After reading about this I searched a bit, fortunately wrote the info in my "want list" in the back of my aquarium journal.
superstein61
03-23-2003, 6:27 PM
Jim or RTR
Just curius, when you rinse your prefilter sponge - do you rinse that in some tank water you remove - or just stick it under the faucet and rinse away?
I ask because I rinse my prefilter on my wet/dry sump once a week. Initially had been rinsig in a bucket with some tank water - but it gets so dirty so quickly, I have switched the last 2 weeks to just rinsing under water from a faucet - figuring I really don't need to worry about any biofilter on the prefilter itself - given that most of my nitrifying bacteria is elsewhere. i really haven't seen any difference in levels afterwards - so just was curious on your thoughts. Thanks
Skittyfish
03-23-2003, 6:45 PM
Gumby- I have an eheim 2026, I drilled hole in the intake and bouth the eheim pro2227/2327 prefilter sponge and just rubber band it on. They seem to last forever and it is easy to take off rinse it out and just slide it back on.
I do just tap water rinses on the prefilters - these are pure mechanical filters, I neither need nor particularly want biofiltration there. I want easy and good rinsing with minimal time and hassle.
JSchmidt
03-24-2003, 8:11 AM
Originally posted by anonapersona
Try Drs. Foster Smith #CD-902227 $3.99 -- "for Tetra Super Brilliant Filter and PHAS"
After reading about this I searched a bit, fortunately wrote the info in my "want list" in the back of my aquarium journal.
I thought I had found that recently. A check just a moment ago on the Drs. Foster & Smith web site reveals that has been discontinued. Too bad... it was the perfect size.
I'm guessing the others I listed above would do the trick, too. They look pretty much identical. Next order I place, I'll get one. They're only 3 or 4 bucks, so no big loss if they don't work.
Jim
superstein61
03-26-2003, 1:14 AM
Thanks RTR - thats what I thought
Well, I ended up buying a sponge for an Aquaclear 500 filter and cutting it in quarters. Then I cut a hole down the middle that was slightly smaller than the intake strainer and shoved it on. It stuck on and is working great! Even after just 24 hours it had already caught a lot of junk. Anyway thanks for the tip! :)