Need something to attach around current filter

[Jennet38 96]

From an older thread on here I have found that chili rasboras can get sucked into filter inlets due to their small size. As this is one of the fish I wish to keep, I am sending for some packs of filter foam that I can cut to size to put around the outside of my filter in order to make it safe for them, or for any shrimp I decide to keep in future.

Can people please advise me what I can use to attach this to my filter please. My initial thought was to use cable ties, but as these are plastic, I am unsure about using them. Thanks.

 

[TwoTankAmin50]

It is impirtant not to use foam that has very small holes, The holes in foam are measured in ppi.

PPI = pores per inch:
45 PPI = very fine; 30 PPI = fine; 20 PPI = medium; 10 PPI = coarse

Ideally 10 ppi is the choice for a pre-filter. Prefilerters are intended to trp larger particle before they can gett into the meddia insidcde the filter. It will also keep small sritters from being sucked inside.

I used prefilters on almost all things which move water inside a tank- filters, powerheads and even some pumps. I used to use a foam block used in the Aquaclear 110. But once I discoverd Poret foam I switched to that as my primary filer media and wells fop making prefilters. I do not do any thing more than how. I make the place where the filter intake goes. Here is my process.

1. I cut a rectangular piece close the what will be the final size of the prefilter foam.
2. I use a scissors to cut an X into the top of the block being sure not to breach the bottom of the foam.
3. I pull it onto the intake tube which is not attached to the filter at this time. It should fit tightly enough that I do not need to do anything more to attach it.
4. By holdimg the free end of the intake tube, I then trim the rectangle into a more cylidrical shape.

When done it looks like this one in the discus tank:

Or these two in the plant tank::

By cutting the X rather than trying to drill a hole, the foam grabs onto the uplift tube.


If you lived on this side of the pond I would send you a chunck of my 10 ppi Poret foam. Before using the 10 ppi I used the 20 ppi. I would not use a higher ppi than 20. It is importaant to rinse out the prefilter foam weekly. If it clogs it can slow or even stop water from getting into the filter.

 

[Uberhoust7 1]

I don't have small fish but on the filter intake I use a fine substrate bag over the filter. Because it is not foam it is easier to clean off, for your case I would tie off the top around the intake line. Like others I use it as a pre filter, because of its use I only clean the real filter on a multiple month basis, usually every 6 months. The photo shows mine is not entirely sealed at the top but is tight enough that much doesn't affect it. The bag is held closed by a string with a counter weight outside of the tank, makes taking it off easy.

 

[Tomsfish17 16]

I used stainless steel strainers for my fry tanks that I ran HOBs on besides sponges.
They were easy to rinse and look ok IMO.

Amazon UK has them you just need to know your tube size as they come in different sized opennings.
There are also many choices of round pre filter sponges to choose from.


For your sponge cutting an x as Two Tank Amin said is the best way IMO.
Your zip ties would work fine and there is no problem with using them in water that I ever experienced.

 

[Jennet38 96]

This is the filter I use. I have also ordered some filter foams, 3 grades, coarse, medium and fine. I have some fine, pure cotton thread that I attached some of my plants to wood and rocks with, whilst the roots grow in. I could make a plaited rope of this, and use it to tie the coarse foam around the outlets like you have TwoTankAdmin.

But I will also look to see if I can find some netting material that is fine enough to stop tiny fish and shrimps getting through. None of the nets I have seen so far will be small enough for this, and where the material is appropriate, the nets are to small to fit over the filter.

I had thought of using net window curtain, but think that is bleached. I wonder if this would matter, as any amount of bleach will be washed out now if I use some old net that I have got. Otherwise, I would have to find something like I made the underskirts of my bridesmaids outfits out of I suppose. It looks like the picture Uberhoust put up of their black bag.

It is way too big to get a stainless steel cage fitted around it like Tomsfish strainers.

OK, that has given me something to be going on with. Thanks all.

Finest-Filters Pond Foam Filter Media Pack (Set of 3) 17" x 11" Coarse, Medium and Fine.​

 

[Uberhoust7 1]

Not sure where the inlets are, assuming they are the sections with the grills on the side on each section below the power head. If this is the case then if the filter media pushes against the grill from the inside then you might not have an issue. Otherwise you might be able to put some additional foam into the filter section to ensure the inlet grills are blocked from the inside. I don't think my original solution would work well in this scenario.

 

[Jennet38 96]

I was hoping to get some circular foam filters like I've seen on here with a foam filter tube either side of a central line, but the ones that I am looking at on Amazon UK have got quite a few breakages or stopped working after 6 months or so. Even the Hygger one that is supposed to be good. Only found Amazon so far that tends to allow folk to write honest reviews and not have them taken down. We do not appear to have a wide choice of them over here yet.

Hey ho! Onward and upwards

 

[bgarthe59 76]

For AC 50s, 70s, and 110s, I use these. See pic. For smaller filters, I use foam with a zip-tie.

 

[Helina24 2]

Hey there!

If you have a small tank and want an oversized capacity filter where you can add biological filter materal as well, for an excellent filtering surface area: I recommend what I have. And I have small green neon tetras and Neocaridina shrimps living in peace there.

Filter: EHEIM biopower 160 with middle section of Eheim Substrat Pro biological filter material and lastly in top section removed small sponge for smallest hole filter bag with Seachem Purigen for crystal clear water finishing. Intake holes protected from shrimps with filter floss wrapped around the mechanical sponge filter material in the bottom section. Intake holes go around the bottom section, so the filter floss goes all around bottom section and fits firmly to it. It will cut back some of the flow and needs to be replaced often, but it looks great, without any extra things outside the filter.

WIth your filter though, with intake holes going all the way up, I'm not sure how well you can arrange this floss to it. But this is what I use. Good luck and congrats on this brilliant hobby!

This is the floss I use. I cut a slice and rip it half because it's too thick otherwise.

And wrap it around mechanical sponge filter in the filter bottom sectiction, where intake holes go all around it.

EDIT: this filter has orange lines in where you detatch sections from eachtoher, but the package has also gray options for these. You can easily replace the orange for the gray lines, so there's nothing weird colored thing in your filter to draw attention to it. And this filter is very very quiet.

 

[Jennet38 96]

I have returned the Oase 100 filter that I was given as a direct replacement for the one that stopped working, and have replaced it with an Oase 200 filter. Before I put this in, I just wanted to check that once I cut the coarse filter to put around the outside of the filter case to stop tiny fish and neocardina getting sucked in.

Will this be 'too much' filtration in my 80 litre aquarium do you think. I will be putting the neo's in my small 24 litre tank first, to see how I get on with them, before thinking of adding to my 80 litre.

This will all still be a long way off, as I am still trying to get the scape how I want it first.

 

[Helina24 2]

Will this be 'too much' filtration in my 80 litre aquarium do you think.

No I think it's perfect to pick oversized filters. They should run a more stable environment.

I have found the instructions of this fellow pretty neat and interesting, and he makes his arguments pretty solid. In this video he also makes recommendations for the size of the tank it should max go into. Enjoy!



EDIT:
He didn't say the size straight, but he said that for 100 litres you need about 1 kg good filter media which supports anaerobic as well as aerobic filtration (and mechanical, which sponges do). And this filter for him, held 450g of media, suitable for full cycle for 45 litre tank. If your filter doesn't hold as much as needed for full cycle (800g), then at least make it as good as possible with such filter materials. In another video he explains that usually he recommends halving the "up to aquarium size" number and you won't be too far off. Following that alone, Oase 200 should be perfect for 80 litres. But with another advice, it would require for you to add some excellent filter media instead of some of the sponges.
But hey, don't take it too seriously, do best you can with what you have.
I haven't had such setup myself either, though I do have some granules with high surface area in my internal filter.

Pondguru: "A full cycle is completed by bacteria - the aerobic part of biological filtration which processes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate followed by an anaerobic part which processes nitrate into soluble nitrogen which bubbles off to the atmosphere.Therefore it requires a suitable amount of excellent quality filter media to be able to provide the environment for both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria - that is what Biohome ultimate does perfectly but even with such good media there are limitations and we recommend the following amounts for different stocking scenarios:
(1 US Gallon = 3.8 litres)
(1kg = 2.2 lbs)
Average community tropical aquarium = 1kg per 100 litres
Average coldwater aquarium = 1kg - 1.5kg per 100 litres
Predator aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Large cichlid aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Malawi / Tanganyikan aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Marine aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Average mixed fish pond = 1kg per 200 litres
Average koi pond = 1kg per 150 litres

 

[WhistlingBadger54 9]

Seems like you've moved beyond your original question, but for future reference, these work really well. Coarse enough to allow good water flow, but fine enough to keep fish and snails out.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5KSSCBY?tag=fishforums-20

 

[Jennet38 96]

Thanks, I have watched his video's before so have already got some other filter medium in order to be able to do what he was advising. He speaks a lot of sense.