DIY Sponge Filter... - Aquarium Advice

maxwell1295 · 04-24-2006, 05:55 PM

I made a DIY sponge filter for my hospital/fry tank.

All you need is some PVC pipe, fittings, and cement, a large car wash sponge, an air pimp, and some airline. I also used a thermometer holder to prevent it it from floating. Others have used something to weigh it down, but I find the suction cup method to work just as well. Airstone is optional...I decided to use an airline shoved down the tube...

Here is everything you need (minus the airpump and airline):

PVC cement:

I cut the sponge in half and drilled a hole for for the PVC pipe:

Here is what the PVC pipe and fittings look like fully assembled (prior to glueing):

Completed sponge filter assembly...notice the hole drilled into the 45* piece for the airline:

Here it is in action:

04-24-2006, 06:07 PM

cool idea

**BillyZ** · 04-25-2006, 03:26 PM

very nicely done. And since it's just a cheap everyday sponge you can throw it away after each QT for that added level of sterile comfort

Daryth Darkmoon · 05-18-2006, 01:41 AM

wow thats pretty cool!
So do you put the airline all the way into the tube, or just part of the way?

brant · 05-18-2006, 10:26 AM

I think I just found my filter set up for future black worm breeding tank Thank You.

maxwell1295 · 05-21-2006, 07:58 AM

I put the airline down the tube, but it doesn't make the turn into the sponge area. Just deep enough to get the water moving in an upward direction...

Burks · 05-21-2006, 11:12 AM

That's pretty cool. Great idea!

dskidmore · 08-30-2007, 02:42 PM

I'm curious about drilling the sponge? How did you do that? Normal wood tools? Compress it first or not?

spittinfly · 08-30-2007, 02:51 PM

What keeps the fry from swimming down the 45 on top? couldn't you just cap it and drill a hole for the tube? And would the water just take the path of least resistance and come in the top instead of the sponge?

Does look good though, I love DIY.

dskidmore · 08-30-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spittinfly

What keeps the fry from swimming down the 45 on top?

Current. Just like any sponge filter. Anything strong enough to swim against that current isn't going to be hurt by it.

04-24-2006, 05:55 PM	#1
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	DIY Sponge Filter... I made a DIY sponge filter for my hospital/fry tank. All you need is some PVC pipe, fittings, and cement, a large car wash sponge, an air pimp, and some airline. I also used a thermometer holder to prevent it it from floating. Others have used something to weigh it down, but I find the suction cup method to work just as well. Airstone is optional...I decided to use an airline shoved down the tube... Here is everything you need (minus the airpump and airline): PVC cement: I cut the sponge in half and drilled a hole for for the PVC pipe: Here is what the PVC pipe and fittings look like fully assembled (prior to glueing): Completed sponge filter assembly...notice the hole drilled into the 45* piece for the airline: Here it is in action: __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

04-25-2006, 03:26 PM	#3
BillyZ Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Western NY Posts: 3,623 Images: 6	very nicely done. And since it's just a cheap everyday sponge you can throw it away after each QT for that added level of sterile comfort __________________ Acronyms and Abbreviations

05-18-2006, 10:26 AM	#5
brant Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hazleton Pennsylvania Posts: 227	I think I just found my filter set up for future black worm breeding tank Thank You. __________________ Clarck that theres an RV.

05-21-2006, 07:58 AM	#6
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	I put the airline down the tube, but it doesn't make the turn into the sponge area. Just deep enough to get the water moving in an upward direction... __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

08-30-2007, 02:42 PM	#8
dskidmore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Genesee Valley Posts: 2,278 Images: 1	I'm curious about drilling the sponge? How did you do that? Normal wood tools? Compress it first or not? __________________ 75 gallon freshwater Baby shrimp sighted! 2.5 Gallon unpowered freshwater now with high light 0.25 gallon palmtop doomed to an unlit end?

05-18-2006, 01:41 AM	#4
Daryth Darkmoon Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2006 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 67 Images: 1	wow thats pretty cool! So do you put the airline all the way into the tube, or just part of the way?

05-21-2006, 11:12 AM	#7
Burks Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 556	That's pretty cool. Great idea!

08-30-2007, 02:51 PM	#9
spittinfly Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 171 Images: 6	What keeps the fry from swimming down the 45 on top? couldn't you just cap it and drill a hole for the tube? And would the water just take the path of least resistance and come in the top instead of the sponge? Does look good though, I love DIY. __________________ Daddy's 35 gal tall hex tank Buddy Boys 10 gal long tank

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