Alternative to Foam Over Filter Intake?

[DGalt]

I'm running an AC50 on my 15 gallon. A while back I had one of my snails crawl into the filter intake (he survived thankfully), so I put a piece of foam over the filter intake.

However, I think this is affecting the mechanical filtration of the filter. Now that I have the tank planted I keep finding plant debris (especially little leaves from the rotala) stuck in the foam.

I'm wondering if there is a solution besides putting foam over the intake. I remember someone saying something about elongating the intake. Something about how the intake of AC's are notoriously dangerous for inverts because they are so short. Does anyone know what this means / can provide a better explanation. Would something like that work, and how would I go about doing that?

lol, lots of questions.

thanks! :grinyes:

 

[pixl8r]

If you want to keep tiny critters out of the filter, you need to have a screen that has smaller holes than the animals. Some have used pantyhose, media bags, sponge, and canister foam (my preference).

To keep water flow from being impeded, rinse what ever you use weekly. Make sure that you rinse it out in tank or R/O water, so that you don't kill off the beneficial bacteria living in it.

 

[tennesseemom]

I use filter media bags, you can get them for $1.00 at Petsmart, they slip right over the tube all the way to the top, and I just tie it at the top.