Prefilter Sponge

[Carol_Roberts]

No, those are different - the opening is looks larger

[brandy]

I experimented with different prefilter sponges on my AC500. The ones with fine pores resulted in the filters running loud. I have had good luck using these. Just tie a piece of string around it close to one end to close off the hole.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...p;N=2004+22779
It is the replacement powerhead sponge on the bottom of the page.

[Anonapersona]

Chunk foam from BigAl'sOnline 3"x5"x12", $5, can be cut into whatever size you want.

I've nibbled some into cylnders, but next time I'll be lazy ad keep it square. A deep X with a steak knife down the middle to get a hole for the filter tube, not too deep, and it is done. No worries about possible contaminants that might not be fish safe -- worth a buck or two to me.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/search/?...keywords1=8138

[nirfun]

Here is mine:






Is it Okay?

[Carol_Roberts]

Looks good to me ;D

[United21Soccer]

I cut my own from cheap sponge, and the next day i got cloudy water and a sponge that was deteriorating! When i went to take it off, it fell apart to the touch >

[cyberguyz]

great advice. I took one of the sponge filter inserts, and slit it according to your instructions, and it works like a charm.

[jules]

I am not sure if I should post here or in breeding.
Currently the parents have moved the wrigglers onto the foam prefilter (an AQ Foam Insert); has anyone every had fry or wrigglers getting stuck?

[Carol_Roberts]

Fry less than 10 - 14 days old are not strong enough to swim away from the prefilter and will die

[jules]

What would you suggest? Thank you Carol.

[Howie_W]

Hi Jules,

The best thing to do is have something along the lines of a Hydro Sponge, or the Azoo sponge filters set-up...these are better suited for fry.

Power filters don't work well in a breeding tank due to the amount of suction they use.

Howie

[babyjess210]

Carol
Is it harmful to the fish if you pull the prefilter off first and all the junk fall to the bottom of the tank and gets siphon out right away doing a water change?

[jules]

I took the sponge off and moved it around in the tank - the wrigglers came out and the parents promptly collected them and relocated them. I covered the prefilter with a nylon stocking. Thank goodness the parents like me.

Babyjess: I usually put a little container under my pre filter before I pull it off - the majority of junk goes in the container.

[Carol_Roberts]

Hi BabyJess:
AS long as you keep it out of the filter box and vacuum it up it's fine ;D

Hi Jules:
I agree with Howie and only use airdriven sponge filters intanks with fry. Once they are about 3 weeks old you can run an aqua clear type filter.

[kelseygirl]

Hmmmm....in reference to the fry, will the idea of the prefilter sponge and the nylon covering work? I'm asking because my pair just spawned, but the eggs were eaten. I'm hoping they'll try again soon. 2 years ago they actually had some fry make it to 2 weeks. I thought they were eating them, but maybe it was the Emperor filter. IF we get to that place I'd rather not have to replace the filter, so if the nylon would do the trick I'd like to know. I learned about the prefilter sponge on this very thread months ago. It's a good one!!! Thanks, Janice