DIY filter has become a death trap for my shrimp:(

[sed03f]

I was happy when I learned how to make the DIY filters w/a coke bottle and a bubbler, unfortunately, I think I might have put it together wrong

I set this up in one of my shrimp tanks and I have found several shrimp lodged in the contraption, growing.

One of the shrimp are upside down and stuck to the point where it can only move its arms, in the picture, it has grown to that size

Is there a trick to keep this from happening again? Im using sponges, maybe if I use gravel then this wont happen?

 

[The Zigman]

without seeing the whole filter its hard to say.

its best just to use a sponge filter. they are less than $10.

find out how they are getting into the filter, and eliminate that entry point. make the openings smaller, or cover the opening with a coarse sponge to make a prefilter.

 

[sed03f]

Theres a pic in the back right, its open top, a coke bottle cut in half with sponge shoved in it, I thought it was tight enough, but the babies find their way in somehow

Maybe if I put gravel over the top of the sponge?

 

[The Zigman]

Cover the whole top with a thin sponge like a lid.. maybe secure it with a rubber band or two.

 

[sed03f]

sweet, just picked up a package of cut it yourself sponge, thanks! Why didnt I think of that?

 

[dougolasjr]

I have HOB filters with fluval foam pads over the intake of my filters im hoping that keeps babies from dieing. What type of filter did you get to replace your old one?

 

[sed03f]

I have HOBS and canisters on most tanks, with pantyhose over the intakes, I set this up to test the DIY coke bottle/bubbler method, It works in my other tank w/no shrimp, but you see here, I have a shrimp living in the filter

That shrimp is still alive btw