Anyone use these DIY filters still?

[brewmaster15]

When I first got into the hobby alot of people used these filters... Diy, simply a piece of foam, siliconed to a piece of tile and you use a pvc pipe thats perforated as a lift tube. I used to use them in all my tanks. Then hydrosponges became popular and I switched. The past year I made a bunch and use them in some tanks. Really a very easy and cheap filter. Just curious how many people still use some or remember using them!




al

[Adam S]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

I started out with about 20 just like that. 4" Poret cubes siliconed to a tile with 3/4" PVC cap in between and PVC lift tube. Finally converting most of my tanks to Mattenfilters. Wish I had done it that way from the start.

[brewmaster15]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

Adam,
lol, yep looks familar!
Got any pictures of the Mattenfilters you are using?
al

[Adam S]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

Here's one being broken in with an L134 group. Mattenfilters don't break in after a few weeks like normal sponges. After several months, something magic happens. They only need to be rinsed every 12-18 months, and they handle particulate matter better than floss. Also really convenient for fry, as you can just drain behind the filter after vacuuming. Just a got a diamond bit from Jehmco, so now the only thing left is to have a couple drinks and drill the tanks for even easier maintenance.

Moving picture to show how much water a large Jetlifter moves. Forgot to mention, they don't clean the glass for you. Still working on that.

[brady]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

Hey Al
Always have made my own filters. 3/4 inch pipe to make an "L " shape. Lift tube length
depending on tank depth with a 1/4 inch hole drilled at an angle about 1 inch from top
to accommodate air line. Bottom part of "EL" about 4 or so inches long, drilled with multiple
1/4inch holes, capped at the end, hydro 5 slipped over it and your good to go.
Jay

and works great.

[brewmaster15]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

Here's one being broken in with an L134 group. Mattenfilters don't break in after a few weeks like normal sponges. After several months, something magic happens. They only need to be rinsed every 12-18 months, and they handle particulate matter better than floss. Also really convenient for fry, as you can just drain behind the filter after vacuuming. Just a got a diamond bit from Jehmco, so now the only thing left is to have a couple drinks and drill the tanks for even easier maintenance.

Moving picture to show how much water a large Jetlifter moves. Forgot to mention, they don't clean the glass for you. Still working on that.

Hey Adam,
Thanks for the pics. I tried using them before and the worked great. The only problem I had was during big water changes with fry in the tank I had some losses of day old swimmers get "stuck"to the filter material as water level dropped. Have you had any problems with fry?

al

[brewmaster15]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

Hey Al
Always have made my own filters. 3/4 inch pipe to make an "L " shape. Lift tube length
depending on tank depth with a 1/4 inch hole drilled at an angle about 1 inch from top
to accommodate air line. Bottom part of "EL" about 4 or so inches long, drilled with multiple
1/4inch holes, capped at the end, hydro 5 slipped over it and your good to go.
Jay

and works great.

Hey Jay, How are you? Hope all is well! Finally over the winter !

I never tried the hydros like that but sounds like they would work great. Take a few pics!

Al

[Willie]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

I tried these using Poret sponges, which look very similar. But I couldn't stand the break-in period when you have to let gunk accumulate.

OCD wins again!

Willie

[Adam S]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

No problems with fry. Of course pleco fry stick with dad for 2-4 weeks, so they don't really have the chance to get stuck until they are pretty well developed.

It took me a while to get over the gunk thing too. Still siphon daily, but it's probably unnecessary.

[hardcore_freak]

Re: Anyone use these DIY filters still?

The price of hydro Sponge is really cheap here. About SGD$3.50 (less than $3 USD) and it's available everywhere.
The replacement Sponge is SGD$2.
Not cost effective to DIY.
But I have to admit there's really alot of satisfaction with DIY products...