Hey guys, I just want to talk a little about pre-filters. So you might have heard about people putting mesh and sponges over their filter intakes for breeding tanks. Or maybe those horror stories about long finned fish such as Betta or Fancy Goldfish getting their tails pulled in by the filter. Maybe it's the old "when I go to clean my filter I find shrimp and or dead leaves". Maybe your filter clogs easy? Impellers wearing out from sand getting into the filter. Well, if done correctly a pre-filter can minimize a lot of these problems. IMO they reduce a lot of maintenance, as your filter will not need as much attention as it would if you had not pre-filter. Pre-filters are cheap too. I picked mine up for less than AUD. I'm anticipating that it wont need replacing for years and years (if looked after correctly). I hope this helps! Here's how I made my pre-filter.
Video Rating: 3 / 5
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
DIY Pre-Filter for Aquariums
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Looks great. Might have to invest in one of these bad boys when I make a new tank.
ReplyDeleteRed Crystal Cherry Shrimp Pre Filter for Eheim 2215
ReplyDeletesearch ebay for the above title and you should see it :D
Yeah, I agree, those lilly pipe filters are bloody sexy. Not familiar with the stainless steal pre-filters though. Do tell me more!
ReplyDeleteWoke up the other day to feed my fish, and spotted a baby False Julii cory cat. Even though he wasn't planned, I have a feeling this pre-filter helped his odds of survival.
No problem Steven! I hope it works out for you :)
ReplyDeletenice job cutting it :D, i bought a little stainless steal prefilter & some lilly pipping it's more expensive but looks so sexy
ReplyDeleteAwesome, thanks. I will probably try a finer sponge.
ReplyDeleteGood question. I chose a sponge with larger holes in, just to minimize slowing down the flow. But! If you wanted to reduce the flow, perhaps going for a finer sponge will do the trick. Alternatively I've heard of people using a new pair of pantihose over the intake. Might even be worth trying to do the same over the outflow. Good luck!
ReplyDeletenice, quick question, does the sponge slow down the rate the water flows, i have a small tank and need to reduce the flow, as i have noticed my fish becoming a tad tired from swimming against a current?
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would be a great idea. I've heard of people using elastic bands too, or stuffing a plug of extra sponge in the bottom.
ReplyDeleteMine's just to stop large bits of plant/food/poo clogging up my filter. Because where I live, shrimps are illegal to bring in :(
If you keep shrimps, leave it long and use a zip tie to close up the end or they'll get sucked up thru the bottom.
ReplyDeleteNeat :-)
ReplyDelete