monty703 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I have a couple of these double sponge filters in my tanks and they tend to clog a lot, and so I decided to try something different to increase the biofilm on them as I like the setup but not the actual sponges. I stopped in to my local LFS and purchased the Aquaclear #70 foam insert. $3.99 box I cut the sponge in half and them cut a hole down the middle for the tube part to go into. Rounded off the edges so it fits better (you can rotate it better too) and now have it in my plant tank to get seeded before going into my shrimp tank. I am also using a Laguna powerflo 4500 foam insert as a mattenfilter in my 20 gallon long plant tank. It has great surface area for biofilm to accumulate and is just as cheap as poret. Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 pic Monty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty703 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I didn't cut the sponge all that exact (first try) but you get the picture. It fits perfectly over the tubes and after a few days/week in the tank it should have a good start on biofilm. This tank doesn't have anything but snails in it, and other sponges that I keep seeded. Soothing Shrimp and Louie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackhead Johny Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 4$ seems like more than the cost of a whole new filter. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056XVF82?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage(Warning: takes a long time to show up) Is this filter material better than a default filter? Also, can you squeeze out an old foam filter into a new foam filter to jump start the new one? I would figure that would work, am I missing something? Make me wonder if you can reduce new tank startup time by filling the new tanks with water from an established tank, during the established tank's water change. Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Well, established water is not good water. heh Most bacteria live on surfaces. However I have mulm bombed tanks or just inside a bucket and run filters to get them established. I also have switched one side out for an established one, while the other is starting. sarah, Zima and Louie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty703 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Yes for those of you in the US that would not be a bargain, but for us in Canada we pay a lot more for this filter setup. If we order it we have huge shipping costs as well. Last one I purchased from an Asian Fish store cost me over $15 for it...so my replacement sponges are more economical as we can't buy the sponges separately here. I also switch out one sponge while the other is being seeded. As soothing pointed out old tank water not a good idea, but keeping sponges in another tank that's been running for a while is a good idea as then you can just pull it out and start up a new tank with a sponge that's already full of biofilm. Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Yes for those of you in the US that would not be a bargain, but for us in Canada we pay a lot more for this filter setup. If we order it we have huge shipping costs as well. Last one I purchased from an Asian Fish store cost me over $15 for it...so my replacement sponges are more economical as we can't buy the sponges separately here. I also switch out one sponge while the other is being seeded. As soothing pointed out old tank water not a good idea, but keeping sponges in another tank that's been running for a while is a good idea as then you can just pull it out and start up a new tank with a sponge that's already full of biofilm. I can understand why, I've had alot of people from Canada want the shrimp food. It only cost 1$ more to ship there. People like to gouge people just because of where you guys are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty703 Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 yeah you got that right! Now with our $ only being worth 60cents to us (with the exchange) we can't afford to buy anything from the US. A Pinto that you can buy for $50 costs us $70 right now. Soothing Shrimp and ctaylor3737 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackhead Johny Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 How does alibaba treat you in .ca? They are probably selling exactly the same filter I bought from amazon only I'm sure it is insanely cheaper from them. Or find an American buddy then have them ship you filters and in exchange you ship them affordable health care. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgm53 Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Check cll(underscore)petsupplies on EB. Got 12x12x2 foam for about $7 with shipping. Different pore sizes avail also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiashrimp Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 I love those sponges, I have used them in various applications over the years including on sponge filters like you have done. Very easy to cut and a lot of surface area. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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