Sponge filter for Marineland canister

rahendricks · Post by **rahendricks** » 10 Nov 2005, 16:31

I've been thinking about replacing the intake strainer on several of my Marineland canisters with a sponge filter. I was hoping this would decrease the amount of plant detritus that finds its way into the filter, but I'm concerned that it may reduce the flow rate. Has anyone ever tried this?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 10 Nov 2005, 16:49

You'll need a sponge filter with very open porosity. ATI Pond Filters are one likely option. Or just use it in conjunction with a Hamburg Mat filter (both of these should show up in a Google search)

With the ATI, I would still be worried about sufficient flow into the filter. You'd need to have a pretty strict maintenance schedule to keep it clear. If you can spare the room in the tank the Hamburg is your best bet.

WhitePine · Post by **WhitePine** » 10 Nov 2005, 17:05

I use Marineland sponge prefilters for that. Works great and you can trim them down a little. You can actually cut it in half and just swap the prefiter out halfway through the week. Check the link.. you can find these at most fishstores.

http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/product ... ry_id=2637

Cheers, Whitepine

Post by **Shane** » 10 Nov 2005, 17:30

I use the same sponges as pre-filters.

-Shane

Jackster · Post by **Jackster** » 10 Nov 2005, 23:36

Less expensive here.
Might need this too.

Another alternative is Filter Max Pre-filters.

rahendricks · Post by **rahendricks** » 18 Nov 2005, 01:07

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I picked up a Marineland sponge prefilter kit and a replacement sponge. There's an intake strainer in the kit that's about twice as long as the strainer on my hot magnum. Unfortunately it doesn't fit the intake tube. So I just slid the replacement sponge over the existing strainer and it seems to be working OK. I don't notice any reduction in flow. The kit strainer does look like it will fit a mag 350 I have so I'm going to try that this weekend. Thanks again for the advice.