I have yearned for them for so many years but couldn't afford them. Swiss Tropical's is excellent in every way but I couldn't afford their prices. I went poking around on the net and finally came upon the solution. I found relatively inexpensive open pore sponge from sponge from foambymail.com. Making the lift tubes out of cheap PVC is easy.
I bought 1/2 a sheet to try it to make sure that it's safe for the fish. Than big a sheet will let me put one in 20 60 wides or two in 1 120 long. FedEx is delivering it tomorrow. It's a day early! I can't wait to try the stuff out.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on December 12, 2018, 06:54:17 PM
I have yearned for them for so many years but couldn't afford them. Swiss Tropical's is excellent in every way but I couldn't afford their prices. I went poking around on the net and finally came upon the solution. I found relatively inexpensive open pore sponge from sponge from foambymail.com. Making the lift tubes out of cheap PVC is easy.
I bought 1/2 a sheet to try it to make sure that it's safe for the fish. Than big a sheet will let me put one in 20 60 wides or two in 1 120 long. FedEx is delivering it tomorrow. It's a day early! I can't wait to try the stuff out.
.....from what I've seen they work very well......looking forward to following your progress... :)
I like them. I have them in my 10s and 20 longs. I even bought a sheet and cut some for the 2-1/2 gallon tanks.
Quote from: waterboy on December 13, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
I like them. I have them in my 10s and 20 longs. I even bought a sheet and cut some for the 2-1/2 gallon tanks.
,,,what did you use for 'lifters' ?...pvc?....what size?..
,,,would the heavy base pieces of reg. sponge filter frames work as a base for the lifters?...
I used 3/4" on the one I finished the other day. I'll try !/2" on the next one and find out if one is better than the other.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on December 13, 2018, 09:57:44 AM
I used 3/4" on the one I finished the other day. I'll try !/2" on the next one and find out if one is better than the other.
...cool....thanks.. ;D
Quote from: Mugwump on December 13, 2018, 09:32:30 AM
Quote from: waterboy on December 13, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
I like them. I have them in my 10s and 20 longs. I even bought a sheet and cut some for the 2-1/2 gallon tanks.
,,,what did you use for 'lifters' ?...pvc?....what size?..
,,,would the heavy base pieces of reg. sponge filter frames work as a base for the lifters?...
For the ones in the 10s & 20s I bought the lifters from Swiss Tropical. For the ones in the 2-1/2 gallons I used some plastic pipe from Home Depot about 1/2". I think it is gas pipe or something. PEC PEZ or something like that. Similar to PVC except it has thinner walls. 3 inch piece, 45, short piece, another 45 and then a short piece. Drill a hole near the bottom for an airline tie tied to the pipe.
The lifters don't need a base. They are just shoved down between the filter and the wall of the tank.
Quote from: waterboy on December 13, 2018, 12:31:15 PM
Quote from: Mugwump on December 13, 2018, 09:32:30 AM
Quote from: waterboy on December 13, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
I like them. I have them in my 10s and 20 longs. I even bought a sheet and cut some for the 2-1/2 gallon tanks.
,,,what did you use for 'lifters' ?...pvc?....what size?..
,,,would the heavy base pieces of reg. sponge filter frames work as a base for the lifters?...
Thanks Dale....I was thinking the heavy base would help anchor it all in place.....that 2 1/2 rig intrigues me.....why the 2nd 45?....doesn't that point down?.....or does that work better in the smaller tanks that way....? a little above the water line, air adjusted down, right?
For the ones in the 10s & 20s I bought the lifters from Swiss Tropical. For the ones in the 2-1/2 gallons I used some plastic pipe from Home Depot about 1/2". I think it is gas pipe or something. PEC PEZ or something like that. Similar to PVC except it has thinner walls. 3 inch piece, 45, short piece, another 45 and then a short piece. Drill a hole near the bottom for an airline tie tied to the pipe.
The lifters don't need a base. They are just shoved down between the filter and the wall of the tank.
Two 45s make a 90. A 90 would work just as good. The Swiss Tropical ones have a 90. I just put the airline into a hole in the pipe, works great.
I used a 90. I just cut a slot out of the top or the foam to hold it in place.
Quote from: waterboy on December 13, 2018, 02:37:30 PM
Two 45s make a 90. A 90 would work just as good. The Swiss Tropical ones have a 90. I just put the airline into a hole in the pipe, works great.
..kinda what I thought.....2 45's didn't sound right...thought you had something special going... huh