ATI Pre-Filters A Comparison

[The Zigman]

Long ago I picked up a couple of ATI's Max-I Pre-Filters from Kensfish.com

Initially they seemed to do a great job on my shrimp tank's HOB filters. As the weeks passed I began to clean them more frequently, and it got to the point on one tank where it was completely plugged up within 3-4 days.

So I purchased a few ATI Max-III Prefilters from Kens, because I thought they would be a little bigger, and maybe they would stay cleaner longer. I received them Thursday.

In comparison, the Max-III is about twice the size of the Max-I, and a was very happy to see that the MAX-III was made of a more free flowing reticulated foam to allow for better flow rates, and hopefully a longer duration between cleanings.

Both filters came with several adapters which allow them to attach to a variety of HOB, and Canister filters. I am running them on Small HOBs but could easily attach it to my FX-5 if I needed to.

Below are some pix to compare...

 

[WeedCali]

Oh i do love Mountain Dew

 

[platytudes]

Thanks for posting...reticulated foam is awesome!

The stuff on the left, I have some of that as well and it feels practically goopy after a while, like it's turned to mush. I would understand if it were disposable, but it is not marketed as such. However I would not expect to get more than a few months out of it, whereas the other pre-filter should last for years.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

looks like it uses the pro sponges as well. might as well go as big as you can.

 

[The Zigman]

Still has 100% flow...
the other one would have been plugged up 3 times by now

 

[fishorama]

I use the ATI pro3, clogs a bit in my shrimp etc 40g long but easy to rinse at water changes. It;s a bit better than my AC filter sponge on the intake prefilter but takes up a bit more room in the tank. I like them...