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HMF filters

Started by LizStreithorst, December 12, 2018, 06:54:17 PM

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LizStreithorst

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.
Always move forward. Never look back.

Mugwump

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... :)
Jon

?Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ?Wow! What a Ride!? ~ Hunter S. Thompson

waterboy

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.
Dale

I'm not afraid of work.  I can lay down right next to it and go to sleep.

Mugwump

#3
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?...
Jon

?Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ?Wow! What a Ride!? ~ Hunter S. Thompson

LizStreithorst

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.
Always move forward. Never look back.

Mugwump

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
Jon

?Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ?Wow! What a Ride!? ~ Hunter S. Thompson

waterboy

#6
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.
Dale

I'm not afraid of work.  I can lay down right next to it and go to sleep.

Mugwump

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.
Jon

?Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ?Wow! What a Ride!? ~ Hunter S. Thompson

waterboy

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.
Dale

I'm not afraid of work.  I can lay down right next to it and go to sleep.

LizStreithorst

I used a 90.  I just cut a slot out of the top or the foam to hold it in place.
Always move forward. Never look back.

Mugwump

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
Jon

?Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ?Wow! What a Ride!? ~ Hunter S. Thompson