Missing Piece From Filter Intake

[eduller]

An easy question, I hope. My new (used) filter is missing the little strainer/filter cap thing from the water intake tube, and the little replacement cap seems really overpriced for a tiny plastic cap. Can I cut a little piece of nylon stocking and rubber band it over the end so it doesn't suck up my danios? Will rubber eventually disintegrate in the water? I have little plasticy hair bands that probably are not really rubber but they seem more brittle. Any problem with nylon in the tank? I'll make it fit snugly so the fish don't nip at it. 

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, you can do that. Don't forget to check it to make sure it doesn't clog up and affect the flow through your filter.
 
An even better solution would be a piece of coarse filter sponge.

 

[eduller]

I went to a local fish store, and they dug through a box of spare parts and gave me a little attachment for free. So nice. It wasn't exactly for my filter, but it fits great. I guess that's the difference between going to like Petsmart and going to a dedicated fish store

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Or you can use a filter sponge to do this. that way you can easily slip it off and rinse it out weekly. See upper right of the picture.