DIY intake cage to keep fish from getting sucked in - Aquarium Advice

neilanh · 02-17-2007, 12:11 PM

I couldn't think of a good title for this - any ideas?

I posted this in a thread in FW General Discussion where this was being discussed, but thought it might be good to post here too.

I, along with others, was finding fish stuck to the intake of my XP3 canister intake strainer and worried that the force of the XP3 was just too strong for my little tetras. Granted, there may have been other issues with the fish being weak, but this was a cheap, easy way to help alleviate the problem.

I crafted this from a single small sheet of that plastic needlepoint stuff you can get at any local craft store. The sheets come in all colors, and only cost me 41 cents (with tax!). I used this over foam as I still wanted the intake to have the capability of taking in some of the larger particles.

Other than the sheet of needlepoint, all I used was a pair of scissors and some fishing line.

I cut the sheet to size, then using the fishing line, tied it to form a cylinder to the size I wanted. I used about 1/2" larger radius than my intake strainer size. I then cut 2 squares and tied them to the top and the bottom to fully enclose the new cage, then rounded the square parts to match with the cylinder.

Then, on the top, I snipped out a hole just smaller then the size of the intake tube. After complete, I just forced the intake tube through the hole. By having it like this I was able to center the intake inside the cage and have it remain in place.

Here are some pics

**An t-iasg** · 02-18-2007, 02:04 AM

That's a great project - seems like it will do just what you have in mind. Good pics and a good explanation about how you did it too!

leoslizards · 02-18-2007, 07:28 AM

Heh, I was going to make this today for my HOB filter but you beat me to it. Good job btw.

neilanh · 02-19-2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks guys

rich311k · 02-19-2007, 02:07 PM

Very nicely done. Good idea.

**roka64** · 02-19-2007, 02:10 PM

Good job! It looks like it will work like a charm.

BillyZ · 02-20-2007, 02:27 PM

This is a good, cheap and easy solution to a very common problem. Well done!

redswi · 02-22-2007, 11:53 PM

See what you started...LOL

I wasn't worried about the suction as much as I was clogging the overflow...
Great idea...
Thanks again

neilanh · 02-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redswi

See what you started...LOL

WooHoo!

Nice, good job!

theotheragentm · 02-23-2007, 04:29 PM

I bet a net breeder could be made from this pretty easiliy.

02-20-2007, 02:27 PM	#7
BillyZ Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Western NY Posts: 3,622 Images: 6	This is a good, cheap and easy solution to a very common problem. Well done! __________________ Acronyms and Abbreviations

02-22-2007, 11:53 PM	#8
redswi Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 251	See what you started...LOL I wasn't worried about the suction as much as I was clogging the overflow... Great idea... Thanks again __________________ 40gal community - wet/dry/sump -1.8wpg - planted w/Brazilian Sword,Melon Sword,Anacharis,Bannana plant,Crypt,Hornwort,Java moss Fish - 3 Neons-1 Chocolate Albino Pleco-1 Gold Spot Pleco-2 Lavender Gouramis 55 gal QT/Breeder/Experiment http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=91209 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=95417

02-23-2007, 04:29 PM	#10
theotheragentm Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,173	I bet a net breeder could be made from this pretty easiliy. __________________ Box of Water - My Personal Musing and Photos on Fish Keeping

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02-18-2007, 07:28 AM	#3
leoslizards Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 138	Heh, I was going to make this today for my HOB filter but you beat me to it. Good job btw.

02-19-2007, 02:07 PM	#5
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Very nicely done. Good idea.