I use an AC sponge on the intake of my Eheim. I can get several sponges and years of use out of a single 500 sponge.
Prefilter for canisters
- Thread starter Sumpin'fishy
- Start date
I think AC sponges are OK, but I can't imagine having big white sponges over all the intakes in all my tanks. Ugh!
Also, I prefer something with a bit finer texture. The AC sponges are rather coarse -- that's also one of my quarrels with the Filter Max III sponges, but they have other things in their favor that make it easier to overlook the cell size.
Tetra PHAS are perfect, IMO.
Jim
Also, I prefer something with a bit finer texture. The AC sponges are rather coarse -- that's also one of my quarrels with the Filter Max III sponges, but they have other things in their favor that make it easier to overlook the cell size.
Tetra PHAS are perfect, IMO.
Jim
Jim, I cut the sponges to exactly fit the intake so they're not really that obtrusive. I guess if you've got a sparsely decorated tank with little or no rock and wood, it wouldn't be the most aesthetic thing in the world, but mine's hidden in the back corner and you can't see it.
I do agree that the prefilter modules that are made for Eheims are more pleasing to the eye, but in my case it's not a problem. Also, a $5.00 AC sponge that will last for well over a year is an economical solution. I also agree that they are course, but, for me, that sacrifice isn't a problem.
At least we've all listed several answers to Sumpin'fishy's question, which is the main thing.
I do agree that the prefilter modules that are made for Eheims are more pleasing to the eye, but in my case it's not a problem. Also, a $5.00 AC sponge that will last for well over a year is an economical solution. I also agree that they are course, but, for me, that sacrifice isn't a problem.
At least we've all listed several answers to Sumpin'fishy's question, which is the main thing.
BTW, I just got through drilling several small holes around the bottom of the inlet pipe, and covering with the same foam block that I had on it before. It extends about 3" up the pipe and is about 1/2" wider than the pipe on either side. I went ahead and cleaned My HOT out and refilled only half way before I hooked it up and turned it back on. I watched it fill itself fully with water just to make sure the intake can match the flow of water out of the filter. It seems to be running fine, and I already saw detritus sticking to the side of the sponge rather than just the bottom portion. (I stirred up the tank gravel a bit) Thanks for the input people! We'll try this out a while, and tell ya how it goes.
I used to use a prefilter on my canister but came to find that it slowed the flow down quite a bit after about 2 days. It got old having to clean it out every other day? Maybee I was doing something wrong though?
Just my 2 cents... Although the prefilter cut down on the changing of the canister filter. Its a toss up though...
Spankey
Just my 2 cents... Although the prefilter cut down on the changing of the canister filter. Its a toss up though...
Spankey
That's why I started the thread, Spankey. Have you read all the posts? These guys had some neat ideas. Like what I ended up doing.
