DIY Sponge Filters

[Bucketeer]

I put one of these together last night and am wondering if putting an airstone in would improve the flow due to smaller bubbles? My gut says no, but thought I'd ask. These filters are a great invention and should be patented IMO!:thumbsup:

Here's a link to the filter I am talking about:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=40648

Thanks,

[KJoFan]

Not sure if it'd improve the flow but I have heard that airstones can get clogged up rather easily in the filter and then you've got restricted flow and have to pull them out and clean them which seems like a PITA to me. :D It would also take more air force to push through the stone.

I got parts to make those filters once but...never got around to it. They do seem like a good idea though.

hth

[seanyuki]

I put one of these together last night and am wondering if putting an airstone in would improve the flow due to smaller bubbles? My gut says no, but thought I'd ask. These filters are a great invention and should be patented IMO!:thumbsup:

Here's a link to the filter I am talking about:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=40648

Thanks,

Hi Bucketeer,

At first I use the sponge filter without an air-stone and you can really hear the bubbles/current and pretty annoying while watching
tv . With an airstone attached to the sponge filter less annoying
noises in the room. Put two Hydro 5 sponge filters in one tank
and you get 160 gallons per hour.

cheers
Francis

[bastalker]

The faster an harder the bubbles the more flow ya get thru the sponge filter...

tc
Mark

[seanyuki]

The faster an harder the bubbles the more flow ya get thru the sponge filter...

tc
Mark


Hi Mark,

It depends if you want to use the sponge filter as biological filter
or mechanical filter and too much flow/current it will be less
biological in my opinion. Perhaps the more experience hobbyist
could comment on this topic.

Cheers
Francis

[White Worm]

I also used the airstones inside to quiet the bubble noise. I think it is a more equalized flow through the filter with the airstones. Smaller bubbles breaking the surface make less noise. :D

[bastalker]

Hi Mark,

It depends if you want to use the sponge filter as biological filter
or mechanical filter and too much flow/current it will be less
biological in my opinion. Perhaps the more experience hobbyist
could comment on this topic.

Cheers
Francis

Good point Francis! I agree with that... If everyone here is doin there homework on how to grow out juvies in a BB tank, I dont think it really matters one way or the other. slow, fast, biological or mechanical. If the WC's are being done it is a personal preferance as to how much noise ya wanna hear...:)

tc
mark

[seanyuki]

Good point Francis! I agree with that... If everyone here is doin there homework on how to grow out juvies in a BB tank, I dont think it really matters one way or the other. slow, fast, biological or mechanical. If the WC's are being done it is a personal preferance as to how much noise ya wanna hear...:)

tc
mark


Hi Mark,

I totally agree with you that water change is the most important
maintaining a healthy discus tank. I am using one Hydro sponge 5
on one side for my 75 gallons tank and the other side using an
Aquarclear powerhead 50 attached to the Aquaclear quick clean
cartridge and notice the cartridge got really dirty in a day .With
all the dirt in it and a bit concern whether to continue to use it or not. Give me your thoughts.

Cheers
Francis

[phidelt85]

Francis I see the same thing in my 125. The two HIV I have on airstones do not clear up near as much as the one on powerhead. I prefer it that way so that I do get a level of mechanical filtration. I'll be adding my new XP3 tonight with a surface skimmer on it.

[GulfCoastDiscus]

If you have hard water don't use an airstone. It's eventually clog up.
This is one of my old post.:)


Daniel

[guille2007]

If you have hard water don't use an airstone. It's eventually clog up.
This is one of my old post.:)


Daniel

Hi Dan,

I fix that by rubbing the airstone with white vinegar for a while then soak it with tap water, I do it once a month or so always before the clogging.

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Hi Dan,

I fix that by rubbing the airstone with white vinegar for a while then soak it with tap water, I do it once a month or so always before the clogging.

Hi guille,
I have over 50 tanks and most have 2 in each tank. I did it for awhile till I eventually got tired of doing it.hehehhe:):)

[Bucketeer]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I'm going to run it without an airstone. It moves plenty of water, that's for sure.

Dan, thanks for sharing a great idea.

[judy]

Looking at the design, could you also use a reverse flow powerhead to pull water through it?
That's what I use on my sponge filter now, but this is a more serviceable design since you don't have to park in on the tanl bottom -- and it would be way easier to slip the sponge off to clean it.

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Looking at the design, could you also use a reverse flow powerhead to pull water through it?
That's what I use on my sponge filter now, but this is a more serviceable design since you don't have to park in on the tanl bottom -- and it would be way easier to slip the sponge off to clean it.

I've never had to use anything. I don't there's a need or increase its effeciency. Give a try though. See if it works. Post pics.

[Tropical Haven]

I don't know if you want to use a powerhead because that will cause a lot of current in your tank which you don't want with discus.

[phidelt85]

I have one with a powerhead on it. You don't have to buy a large powerhead to drive these filters. I have one in my 125 with a powerhead and two on stones. I'll post some pics.

[judy]

Pics would be great, thanks! I've a drawerful of perfectly good old powerheads from the UGF days...

[phidelt85]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t78/cuervogold85/Tank%20furniture/DSC03862.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t78/cuervogold85/Tank%20furniture/DSC03861.jpg

[Jhill]

Here are the ones that I have made. They hang on the back so I don't have to worry about the suction cups.

A Friend in discus
John

[GulfCoastDiscus]

I cannot see if you have the bottom plugged up. If its not it needs to be.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t78/cuervogold85/Tank%20furniture/DSC03862.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t78/cuervogold85/Tank%20furniture/DSC03861.jpg

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Here are the ones that I have made. They hang on the back so I don't have to worry about the suction cups.

A Friend in discus
John

Great idea.:)
If only the pvc can be thinner on the part the hangs on top. The gap created by the pvc on top will allow water to splash out of the tank.

[phidelt85]

I cannot see if you have the bottom plugged up. If its not it needs to be.

Hey, Dan. Yes the bottom is plugged with a 1/2 cpvc cap. I bored out the pipe so the caps fit inside the pipe. You can actually see it in the reflection in the second pic. It gives it a cleaner look IMO. Thanks for noticing.

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Hey, Dan. Yes the bottom is plugged with a 1/2 cpvc cap. I bored out the pipe so the caps fit inside the pipe. You can actually see it in the reflection in the second pic. It gives it a cleaner look IMO. Thanks for noticing.

Kewl..:)

[Jhill]

Great idea.:)
If only the pvc can be thinner on the part the hangs on top. The gap created by the pvc on top will allow water to splash out of the tank.

Thanks Dan,
It has worked great so far. I have different length tubes to get the sponge and the tee where I want them. All I have to do is add a longer piece between the top and the output tee to get the bubbles lower in the tank.
The 90 coming off the tee will rotate to what ever angle I want.
Here is a few more pics of it.

A Friend in discus
John

[BOBT00LS]

Very nice and easy designs. I have one question about the air line tubing. How far down into the pvc do you push the tubing ?

Thanks
Bob

[phidelt85]

Very nice and easy designs. I have one question about the air line tubing. How far down into the pvc do you push the tubing ?

Thanks
Bob

Bob, I push mine all the way down. I believe the longer the air bubbles travel up the tube the more they will draw on the sponge. I may be wrong but it works for me.


John, You may give the cpvc caps I use a try. I bore out the center and the caps fit snugly inside the pipe. This way I can slide the sponge off the frame for cleaning without having to pull the frame out of the water. Works quite well. I used to use the regular sched. 40 caps but I had to pull the sponge over it. Just a hassle. Know it's a one-hand operation.

Just a suggestions is all :)

[Jhill]

Bob, I push mine all the way down. I believe the longer the air bubbles travel up the tube the more they will draw on the sponge. I may be wrong but it works for me.


John, You may give the cpvc caps I use a try. I bore out the center and the caps fit snugly inside the pipe. This way I can slide the sponge off the frame for cleaning without having to pull the frame out of the water. Works quite well. I used to use the regular sched. 40 caps but I had to pull the sponge over it. Just a hassle. Know it's a one-hand operation.

Just a suggestions is all :)

Thanks Jose, I will see if I can find them. All I found was the caps that I used. Actually it helps seal and hold the larger sponges.

A Friend in discus
John