Sponge on filter intake

[laurenrocksth]

Does putting a sponge in the filter intake drastically reduce it's effectiveness? I have hornwort in my 125 and it constantly gets sucked up onto the filter intake. I figured that a sponge would prevent this but with the inhabitants of the tank, I want all of the filtration I can get. I'm currently filterring it with an FX5 and an AC110.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Remove and rinse the prefilter sponge weekly and you should be fine. I suggest you get a brine shrimp net to net the sponge with before removing it or cutting the flow as the ook will float off back into the water.

 

[justahannah]

I also use an AC110, and have a sponge on my intake. The flow and efficiency of the filter is unchanged unless I go too long without cleaning plant debris off the sponge, then it slows down a little. It's easier to clean the dead leaves off external sponge than cleaning out the whole filter and keeps debris out of my impeller, so I love it . Also provides more surface area for a little extra bacterial filtration as well as helping out mechanically.

 

[Just Prince]

what kind of sponge do you use?

 

[spunjin]

I use AC70 sponges and I cut them to size.

 

[Spewn]

Remove and rinse the prefilter sponge weekly and you should be fine. I suggest you get a brine shrimp net to net the sponge with before removing it or cutting the flow as the ook will float off back into the water.

I use ziploc bags.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

AC sponges are the best for filter intakes because the holes are big enough to let poop through, but not big enough to let strands of java moss or other plants through the holes. The only bad thing is that they go from a bright white to a dull yellow in about 2 weeks of use.

 

[justahannah]

I use a filter max prefilter, just because I prefer black. Texture's similar to the AC sponge, and they run around $10.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

I use Pre-Filters on all intakes. HOB or Canister.
Generic branded AC Replacement Sponges. They turn brown in about a month and are typically hidden by plants.

 

[Spewn]

Big Als near me sells sponges to fit AC filters, I assume they have them cut to size as they're blue and not in boxes(and perhaps stiffer?). Either way, $6 for an AC110 sponge. Cut to fit.