It took a couple weeks to do it but I was able to do 21 tanks (5- 55 gal, 10- 20 gal, and 6- 40 gal breeders) for only $130. That includes all the foam, silicone brackets, pvc's, and air stones. I used replacement materials but it works...I'm happy with them so far. That's $6.20 per tank. So I don't use regular sponge filters anymore and most of the heaters are hidden behind the foam. Cleaner set up. Anyway here's a picture of what it looks like.
Another
Get the foam on ebay? That's where I found it. It'll be in next week
...looks nice...get the lifters too...?
Yes, I got the foam on eBay...took about 3 weeks to get it since it came all the way from china. I bought the 50x50x5 cm. Cut it in half. The half works perfectly to do one corner. Measured 6 inches from corner for the brackets. I used this thing from Menards for bracket. M
The lifters I just made...just cut pvc's.
Quote from: Babers on November 28, 2018, 05:32:21 PM
Yes, I got the foam on eBay...took about 3 weeks to get it since it came all the way from china. I bought the 50x50x5 cm. Cut it in half. The half works perfectly to do one corner. Measured 6 inches from corner for the brackets. I used this thing from Menards for bracket. M
The lifters I just made...just cut pvc's.
..figured that...cool.......can you show a pic?
What are those brackets called and how did you secure them to the sides of the tank?
Quote from: LizStreithorst on November 28, 2018, 05:45:11 PM
What are those brackets called and how did you secure them to the sides of the tank?
..probably caulked them on with silicone... huh
Got them from the drop ceiling section. They had the L bracket or this bracket I used. I used the Dap 100% silicone. Let it cured for 24 hours and done.
Lifter tube....drilled a hole on the elbow....inserted the airline and added the air stone. Drilled hole at the bottom of the lifter tube
Another pic showing the drilled holes
I have been wanting to do this on the smaller tanks. I might try it next year on a few tanks to see how it goes.
Might have to experiment with this filter myself. Well done.
Been a month and they seem to be working as they should. Very very skeptical on the first tank. But since it was advertised for pond/fish/aquarium, I gave it a try. It was thick and stiff enough to do what it should do...and crossed fingers that it didnt have any harmful chemicals. Almost a month into the filters, no fish got sick and happy, and still holding its shape.
Here's the link for the foam I used if anyone is interested:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Biological-Cotton-Filter-Foam-Pond-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Sponge-Pad-1-PC/223104993264?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Quote from: Babers on December 17, 2018, 03:11:45 PM
Been a month and they seem to be working as they should. Very very skeptical on the first tank. But since it was advertised for pond/fish/aquarium, I gave it a try. It was thick and stiff enough to do what it should do...and crossed fingers that it didnt have any harmful chemicals. Almost a month into the filters, no fish got sick and happy, and still holding its shape.
Here's the link for the foam I used if anyone is interested:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Biological-Cotton-Filter-Foam-Pond-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Sponge-Pad-1-PC/223104993264?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
...that ad was replaced?..is it still the same stuff showing now ?
Here's the same kind of filter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-4-5cm-50x50-Biological-Cotton-Filter-Foam-Pond-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Sponge-Pad/292835267195?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D7f80b5dcc6224027b0e1bcfc2903844b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D172690343807%26itm%3D292835267195&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
I am thinking of doing this. I ordered some of Joel's foam to try. Maybe Liz could put up a link the the type of foam NOT to Buy.
Quote from: waterboy on December 17, 2018, 04:35:21 PM
I am thinking of doing this. I ordered some of Joel's foam to try. Maybe Liz could put up a link the the type of foam NOT to Buy.
good idea !
Let me start with what NOT to buy:
When I first started with Discus, I bought a foam at Joann's...they told me it's "fish-safe"...big mistake. After only 12 hours, my adult discus were headstanding and dark. Removed them from the tank and placed them in Uncontaminated water but didn't help. They stopped eating and died a couple days later.
Anyway, lessons learned. If it's rated for fish/pond/aquarium, then I'm good. But if it's use for anything else, I'll never buy it.
That is the only reason I bought some of this foam, because you had used it without problems. Thanks for being the guinea pig.
No problem Dale. When I tested it myself, mt Test Group comprises of different age angels from dimes to adults to see if it affects any of them. And they did all good.
...So are the HMF's working as expected with this foam?
I've been using Swiss Tropical's Poret foam for several years now...I guess I took the lazy, easy way to do this, but I found Stephan to be so helpful and quick replies with emails...never have had any problem with any of the foam from him....
I've used them in small and medium size tanks.....Right now I'm running a huge Tower with 3 Jetlifters that covers almost the whole end of my 125g....only have had to rinse it out once in a year's time of using it...
Thanks for the update, Ron. It's kind of what I expected. |^|