DIY Intake Pre-Filter Sponge, cost $3-$15:
The first mod than can be made to any filter (HOB or canister) is to boost the coarse mechanical filtration ability with the use of a sponge pre-filter on the intake tube. The pre-filter sponge will catch all the large muck suspended in the water before it enters the filter. This has 2 benefits. First it will keep the media in the HOB’s reservoir cleaner for a longer period of time. Second, it will be a host for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
There are different methods of attaching a sponge to the intake tube. The first two examples are easy and cost effective while the third option costs slightly more…..
One method is to use the Top Fin MF-20 filter refill available at Petsmart for about $3 and comes with a 2-pack of sponges. The are closed at one end and have an opening at the other end for the intake tube to slip into. These come with loose fill carbon granules loaded into the inner cavity. This can be discarded or saved for another DIY project. Either way, they are not to be used in this application. Use a plastic zip tie or a rubber band can be used to secure the sponge to the intake tube.
I hope this guide for using DIY media in HOB filters can be used as a reference and starting point for other members and their own DIY projects. I have had the idea for starting a thread about it for awhile now.
Many times I see people post questions in different sections of the forum, asking about filter media, alternatives to cartridges, how to add biological filtration etc. The subject of being on a budget comes up frequently, so I chose methods that have both worked for me and were inexpensive.
My goal was to post some cheap and easy ways to hot rod up your HOB filter and enjoy a DIY project that anyone can do themselves.
If anyone wants to post their own DIY media used in their filters, please do so. Descriptions and pics of your set ups are welcome.
If anyone here gets some ideas from the thread and mods their filters, again please post your results.
Thanks!
Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly w/ Top Fin Sponge Filter
Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly, Top Fin Sponge Filter and zip tie (impeller is upside in...
I use these green Top Fin sponges on my Top Fin Silenstream 20 and one of my Aquaclear 30 HOB’s. They have been very effective and have held up well after being taken off and on multiple times when they are rinsed off with tank water.
Another option is to buy a 3-pack of Aquaclear/Fluval sponge refills for either their AC50 or AC70 models and use 1 sponge to make an intake pre-filter. They are avaialbe at most brick-and-mortar stores and online for $3-$5 for the 3-pack.
The following YouTube video, DIY Intake Sponge from Chewy’s Bro Aquatics channel, shows how to quickly accomplish this. After finding this video, I started to use an AC70 sponge as an intake pre-filter on my AC70. It works great!
Aquaclear 50 Sponges
Aquaclear/Fluval sponge replacements are available in 3-packs for $3-$5. Perfect for DIY media!
The 3rd option for using a pre-filter intake sponge is using the ATI Filter Max. Depending on the source, they range in $8-$15. The company ATI sells both sponge filters driven by airlines and pre-filter intake sponge kits. Their ATI Filter MAX I and II models use a fine foam and their Filter Max III uses a reticulated coarse foam sponge. They have a modular design so more than one sponge can be attached inline.
I use their Filter Max II model on one of my Aquaclear 30’s and their Filter Max III model on my Aquaclear 110 HOB. Here are some pics of the Filter Max III.
ATI Filter Max III assembled
ATI Filter Max III pre-filter coarse sponge attached to Aquaclear 70/110 intake tube
Super helpful post. Can someone please explain (might have missed it), why you want the bio media in front of the “cartridge(s)” instead of the reservoir behind it?
Spyder , if the filter is unplugged, water should not be spilling into the tank while taking media out.
How thoroughly was the bag of ceramic media rinsed before you placed it into the filter?
Maybe there was dust left on it from the package ?
Here's how I did mine. Fluval bio foam at intake. A bomax black sponge after then a bad of media full of old cartridge
Many times it's a lot of trial-and-error getting a particular method dialed in.
Yes, they're already packed pretty full and I don't even have much stuff in them. Both tanks are planted. I haven't bought the Matrix yet, but from what I've read, this is likely my best option. The tanks are partway through fishless cycles. I'm able to purchase different filters if that would be the best thing to do.peddidle , those Aqueons have reservoirs that are not very deep (front to back), so space is a little limited versus the Silentstreams.
With the limited space, in my opinion you may not have enough room to add the Matrix needed to put a dent in the tap water 's nitrates.
If you alread have the Matrix, just put it in any available space in the HOB.
Also, I would advise to look into low-light plants for the tanks. On the buy-sell-trade section of the forum, there are members who sell plant packages for very reasonable prices with shipping.
Plants, in my opinion, would be a good starting point to deal with nitrates.
How often do I change the sponge and the bio media??
Sponges when they are falling apart ( a long time generally), bio-media never.
You will want to rinse your bio-media occasionally. If it is in a media bag (recommended) pull the bag out and rinse it off in some of the water you have pulled from the tank or fresh dechlorinated water. Swish it around in the water. You can get pretty rough with it. You aren't going to dislodge the bacteria no matter how rough you get with it. Getting all that mulm off of it will allow it to work more efficiently. Squeeze your sponge to clean it. When I clean my sponges I keep squeezing until no more black is coming out of them.They don’t get plugged up?
I’m switching to this method from using regular filter cartridges cuz those just get nasty and plugged up
They don’t get plugged up?
I’m switching to this method from using regular filter cartridges cuz those just get nasty and plugged up
Putting it all together:
The following are pics of different combinations of DIY media that can be used in your HOB filter. For reference, I use the Top Fin Silenstream 20 HOB filter. Your HOB filter may differ but the same concepts will apply.
- Intake pre-filter sponge + small bag of Bio-Max added to stock cartridge
Top Fin Silenstream w/ stock cartridge and small bag of Bio-Max
The stock cartridge is inserted diagonally so 1-2 small bags of Fluval Spec Bio-Max refills may fit.
TopFin Silenstream w/ Stock Cartridge & Sm Bag Bio-Max
TopFin Silenstream w/ Stock Cartridge & Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag
- Filter Media Pad cut from bulk roll + Polyfil + small bag of Bio-Max
Top Fin Silenstream w/ bulk filter pad, Polyfil and small bag of Bio-Max
Top Fin Silenstream w/ bulk filter pad, Polyfil and small Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag
- Filter Media Pad cut from bulk roll + large bag of Bio-Max
TopFin Silenstream w/ bulk filter pad and large bag of Bio-Max
TopFin Silenstream w/ filter pad cut from bulk roll and large bag of Bio-Max
- Intake Sponge Pre-Filter + Polyfill + Aquaclear Sponge + large bag Bio-Max
Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Bio-Max (pic 2)
Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag
There are other combinations that may be utilized w/ DIY media, but this will get you on the right track for your set-up......