Powerhead/sponge filter combo?

[H2Ogal]

Looking to use an AC 20 powerhead and a sponge filter on my 20g long. Just got a Hydro Pro III from Ken's and 1) it's huge 2) it's heavy and 3) there's no way to actually attach to the powerhead. I'd like the sponge filter to hang from the PH, not rest on the sand, and still be easy to remove for cleaning, without having to take the PH and sponge out of the tank.

Wondering if I should have gotten the smaller, nonweighted Filter Max III. It's also rated for 40g, so it would work, right?

Does anyone know if the connections that come with the Filter Max will fit the cone-shaped strainer at the base of the AC 20 PH and really hold the filter in place? I suppose I could DIY a connector ...

Would love to hear thoughts/feedback, thanks!

 

[Dieprophezeiung]

I'm not familiar with the size of the connections and tubes your using, but like you said you could do a DIY connector and then you would be able to make it fit exactly how you want. Theres all sorts of size tubes and connectors at home depot and lows. your LFS might even have some.

 

[Star_Rider]

the weighted ones stay on the bottom of the tank. unweighted ones will need to be attached to the tank using some method(usuallt suction cups)

I've always liked the weighted ones personally.

look for step downs at a plumbing store..I am guessing the tube to the sponge filter it too large for the power head?

 

[toddnbecka]

I used an aquaclear quickfilter top and softened the plastic tube (on the sponge filter) with heat to fit it into place. That way, the powerhead sits firmly on top of the sponge filter.
If you want it to hang from the powerhead just buy a quickfilter cartridge and use a suitable sized sponge inside the housing instead of the fine pad that comes with it. I use the penguin prefilter sponges for that as well as covering the intakes on my canister and hob filters.

 

[H2Ogal]

I'm not familiar with the size of the connections and tubes your using, but like you said you could do a DIY connector and then you would be able to make it fit exactly how you want. Theres all sorts of size tubes and connectors at home depot and lows. your LFS might even have some.

Yeah, I need to visit HD's plumbing section. Gotta get an aerator screen, anyway, for the outflow on the PH to keep my future kuhlis from trying to wriggle into it.

look for step downs at a plumbing store..I am guessing the tube to the sponge filter it too large for the power head?

Absolutely right about the problem: different diameters. Thanks for the tip; will look for step downs.

I used an aquaclear quickfilter top and softened the plastic tube (on the sponge filter) with heat to fit it into place. That way, the powerhead sits firmly on top of the sponge filter.
If you want it to hang from the powerhead just buy a quickfilter cartridge and use a suitable sized sponge inside the housing instead of the fine pad that comes with it. I use the penguin prefilter sponges for that as well as covering the intakes on my canister and hob filters.

Well, that would be the simplest way to get a snug fit. So you just removed the white core and stuffed a sponge in there? Does that provide enough area for the BB? It will be my actual filter, not just a prefilter.

Also, do you know if the AC PH/QuickFilter will work correctly if positioned diagonally or horizontally? The QF might be too large to fit vertically.

 

[toddnbecka]

Ya, the sponge fits very nicely inside the housing, actually compresses it slightly. There's a hole running all the way up through the center of the sponge though, so it takes quite a bit of debris to slow down the flow. The surface area is about the same as a sponge block for an appropriate sized aquaclear hob filter. You can also get a finer-mesh sponge the same size on e-bay, I tried them but they clogged up too quickly with the Najas and BN pleco's I have in almost all my tanks: http://cgi.ebay.com/Filter-Sponge-P...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414fa79dda
The powerhead and quickfilter will work regardless of how you place them in the tank, only difference would be the flow pattern.

 

[The Zigman]

petsmart sells a complete powerhead with a foam filter attached to it.
tried to find a link, but its not on their website, looking for a picture of it online now.

 

[H2Ogal]

Thanks for the info, Todd. I'm checking at the QF at a local LFS today ... I think I found one with the thing in stock.

Zig, thanks for the tip. I never found a PH/filter combo at Petsmart/Petco in my area, but their products are always changing. I ended up getting the AC because of the adjustable flow, and it's not overpowering at a max of 126 gph. Also, snagged a good eBay deal so that was fun.

 

[excuzzzeme]

I have an AC 20 and 30 PH as well as several AC filters. I just stick the intake into the sponge filter riser tube and plug it in. All of Hydro's sponge filters have a 1" diameter riser. I have also used the Quick Filter without complaints.

I prefer the full weighted sponge filter in my community tank when using air. I use a AquaClear 110 sponge and cut it into sections to use as a prefilter on my power filter intakes. It is cheaper and no need to hunt for "this and that" to try to make something work. All you need is a sponge and a pair of scissors.





The filter is a Penguin 150 on a 10 gallon tank. (The filter is actually too large for the tank but I was having problems with the smaller filter).

 

[H2Ogal]

excuzzzeme, that's almost exactly my current set-up, lol: Penguin 100 Biowheel with a hunk of AC foam on the intake.

Went shopping ... the AC QuickFilter is nice but way too big for my tank, but I picked up a nice hunk of black filter foam for just a couple of bucks that should work great. Using some spare siphon hose tubing to make a strainer/attachment tube. Will post a DIY once I get it finished. (Yeah, I could've used AC foam, which I already have, but really wanted a black sponge that will "disappear" as much as possible in the tank.)