What sponge prefilter for Eheim?

G

Gumby7

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Jun 3, 2001
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Vancouver, BC
Hi

What sponge prefilter will fit Eheim 2215 which has 12/16mm hoses (i.e. sponge must fit over 1/2" rigid tube)?

I'd really prefer black.

Thanks in advance

Gumby (just filled my 48g!)
 
You have at least two choices, and maybe more.

One option is to get a FilterMax III (available from That Pet Place for less than $10). It has a plastic assembly over which the sponge slides; the whole thing attaches to the intake tube. It comes with adapters to fit various sizes of tubes, and would certainly fit a 2215 intake.

Another, less expensive option is to buy a Tetra PHAS sponge (also available online) for about 3 or 4 bucks. Then drill holes in the last 3" or so of the intake tube and slide the PHAS sponge over the now-perforated intake tube end.

I use both methods, and my current favor leans toward the DIY method with the PHAS. Although the FilterMax is bit easier initially to install (you don't have to drill any holes) the sponge is less dense than that of the PHAS and doesn't trap as much gunk. Also, my FilterMax broke - the plastic assembly that holds the sponge cracked and now the two pieces that snap together to hold the sponge in place don't hold. I've had to resort to semi-regularly temporary fixes, but the plastic that supports the sponge is developing more cracks. My FilterMax is only a couple of years old... I wonder if others who have them have experienced any cracking. Anyway, the PHAS sponges last pretty much forever and do a great job prefiltering.

There are certainly other black, cylindrical sponges that you could use for prefilters, but I've not got first hand experience with them.

Jim
 
Good post Jim, agree.

I've broken a FilterMax cage myself (the internal two-piece framework) - I just assumed it was my own clumsiness. I do have several going (4? 5?), and they do get cleaned routinely, so one damaged did not bother me. Hmmm - wonder how common this is?
 
Originally posted by JSchmidt
You have at least two choices, and maybe more.

One option is to get a FilterMax III ...

Another, less expensive option is to buy a Tetra PHAS sponge ...

Jim
Click to expand...

Jim

Thanks for your input.

Do either of these cause a significant drop in the filtering rate? Is one less restrictive than the other?

I don't have any experience with sponge prefilters but I think I am only trying to keep out bits of plants etc that are large enough to be filtered by any sponge(?)

Gumby
 
No, you are lowering the load on your canister and reducing the tank nitrate load by frequent rinsing of the prefilter. I rinse all mine at least weekly. I really cannot tell any significant difference between those two. The trick is to get the captured particulates - not just the jumbo fragments - out of the tank before they are digested.
 
RTR has much more experience under his belt in this areas, so I'd mostly second what he writes. I do notice a big difference in what my PHAS sponges capture compared to what the FilterMax captures. The PHAS sponges catch MUCH more crud. I think the foam is more dense and fewer of the small particles get through. If I get behind in my sponge rinsing, I do notice a reduction in flow first in the PHAS filtered canisters relative to the one with a FilterMax. That only happens when I don't rinse frequently enough, and it's a sign to me that I need to get back on the stick.

Personally, I'm quite happy to rinse my prefilter sponges weekly or even more often if it means less crud getting caught in the canister. Rinsing a prefitler sponge takes a few minutes, tops. Tearing down a canister takes considerably longer.

HTH,
Jim
 
OK, Jim has a good point - not everyone knows about my filtration neuroses. My biocanisters are not the only filtration in my tanks, I have multiple mechanical-only filters, of which the canister pre-filter is but one. The others are largely Eheim internal canisters and a few old Fluval2 internals. All mechanicals are rinsed weekly. Thus my canister prefilter is carrying only a portion of the mechanical filtration load. Some of my FilterMax units are the model I also, that is much finer (too fine IMHO).

More frequent mechanical rinsing would be better, but it is wishfull thinking only for me. I'm doing well to get it done weekly.
 
Sorry guys but you're going down the wrong path.

I was asking if the prefilter reduced the flow significantly (as in a drop in gph). I didn't mean a reduction in the bio load within the canister.

Are either of the sponges you recommend less restrictive?

Thanks

Gumby
 
That what I addressed in my post above. When clean, neither seems to impede flow. The PHAS sponges, by virture of being denser foam, clog sooner and will impede flow. We're talking purely mech aspects, has nothing to do with bio.

I won't run a canister without prefiltering. Seeing all the stuff the prefilter prevents from entering the canister made me an instant convert.

HTH,
Jim
 
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