Blast from the Past: Box Filters?

[fishdudein]

I only have a couple LFS where I live, an independent and a PetsMart. Neither one of them, or WalMart, carries the old style, air powered, activated carbon and filter floss filled type "box filters" that were the standard operating equipment for so many years. Does nobody use these anymore? Apparently there is no demand for them in the area where I live. I had to mail order mine (Pet Solutions carries them, if anyone wants to know).
Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if people on this forum would look around next time you are in your LFS (you can use this as yet another excuse to go there if you want ), and report back on this thread whether you find any or not. Have these things been given up on for the most part in favor of power filters now? Do any members of this forum use this type of filter?

 

[The-Wolf]

only one of theseven LFs's i visit has them, they sell them to people for us in fry tanks.

 

[fishdudein]

Thanks for the quick reply, Wolf.

Other than my saltwater tanks and a few tanks with larger cichlids or plecos, most of my tanks use either the box filters or simple sponge filters. These are all either breeding tanks or fry tanks. As I am currently running 30+ tanks, this is the most economical filtration method for me. Live plants and the weekly (or more) water changes that I do, make these filters more than sufficient.

I had several of these filters in storage that I had accumulated through the years. In the process of setting up this fishroom, though, I recently ran out and needed to purchase more. It really surprised me that they weren't available. Thank goodness for mail order.

 

[White Whale]

All the Petland Discounts in my area carry them - even the 'corner' box filter. When I set up my 20-gallon long, I'm going to use one (floss+carbon) for 'daytime' along with a Fluval at the opposite end to keep the water sparkling clear and aeriated. Plus I like the noise of the bubbles.

 

[karrihug]

i buy them at pet supermarket. haven't seen them anywhere else though.

 

[black angel]

ive got one in my 32 gallon. i dont think my fluvel is up to the job so i bought the box filter. it does its job and aerates the tank at the same time. love it.

 

[CFC]

I make my own box filters from tupaware containers. Just take a container large enough for your tank and drill many small (4mm) holes in the lid and sides. Pass a length of airline through one of the holes and attach a airstone to the end that goes into the container, then pack the container with your chosen media (i use eheim substrat pro and floss) with the airstone beneath the media. Push the lid onto the container and connect the airline to your airpump then position the container in your tank. Hey presto you have a fully funtional box filter which can be upgraded as per tank size.

 

[Bustacapp]

i made a few out of empty gell deodorant stick/containers and some clear tubing i got from pets mart but ive found both petsmart and walmart carry the pennplax corner box filter for under 5$ petsmart even carries mini box filters for goldfish bowls and such

 

[Inchworm]

I use box filters in 9 of my 17 tanks right now and have one sponge filter in use that will be upgraded to the box filter in a week or two more, as soon as the fry grow large enough.

For small tanks they work great. They are inexpensive to buy and cheap to fill with filter floss. Another benefit of them is that you can regulate the amount of air flowing through them and therefore the amount of agitation they cause in the water, by diverting or increasing the amount of air coming from the pump.

 

[Kittycat]

They're commonly available here in the Philippines. I use them for smaller tanks, sometimes I like them better than sponge filters, as I feel they clean the tank better.

 

[Inchworm]

...sometimes I like them better than sponge filters, as I feel they clean the tank better.

Hi Kittycat

I agree with you. Box filters do a good job of both mechanical and biological filtration, while sponge filters do little more than the biological.

 

[guppymonkey]

I make my own box filters from tupaware containers. Just take a container large enough for your tank and drill many small (4mm) holes in the lid and sides. Pass a length of airline through one of the holes and attach a airstone to the end that goes into the container, then pack the container with your chosen media (i use eheim substrat pro and floss) with the airstone beneath the media. Push the lid onto the container and connect the airline to your airpump then position the container in your tank. Hey presto you have a fully funtional box filter which can be upgraded as per tank size.

Thats a great idea! Darn, I wish I had thought of it.


We sell two kinds of box filters at my pet store and also have sponge filters. I use them in a couple of my fry tanks. They are great! I hate changing filter cartridges but box filters are so much easier to take care of, especially since I like to do frequent water changes.

 

[The-Wolf]

I've just found this site
they accept paypal so they may post worldwide.
http/petfood2you.co.uk/store/Aquarium_Filters.html