Okay, I recently made a very effective sponge filter, and was really simple to do!
So I thought I'd share, incase anyone else needs!
Great for fry tanks, as they're gentle, keep the water oxygenated, and provide a surface for still to grow and gather, that the fry will most likely eat!
No photos I'm afraid, I didn't think at the time, I may draw a diagram sometime if I get a chance!
You will need:
1 x Air Pump
1 x Aquarium Safe Plastic pipe (about an inch in diameter)
1 x Airstone (Small enough to fit in the tubing, big enough to leave minimal gaps)
1 x Length of Airline
1 x Cylindrical filter sponge (This Stuff, not my image, avaliable in squares too!)
2 x Suckers and Clasps (Like the once that hold heaters to the side of the tank)
Optional:
1 x Air Valve (to control air flow, I think that's what they're called, it works via a screw)
1 x Extra length of airline
Some Filter Wool
A few pieces of small ceramic media
Step 1:Take your Plastic Pipe, and measure how long you want it to be. Cut it to size, leaving enough room for it to remain at the very least 1" under the water.
Step 2:Measure how much of the pipe you want covered with sponge. Then put holes all over it below this point. The way I did it was to place the pipe in a bowl of boiling water for a short while, then take it out and gouge hole in it with a pair of scissors. I lack proper tools!
(And nearly stabbed myself a few times, I'm sure you people will find a safer way!)
Step 3:Cut your sponge to the right height (and shape, if needed). With some cylindrical sponges, made for this purpose, they have the middle already removable. If not, just go crazy with a craft knife or some scissors! Slip it over your tubing regularly to check it fits snugly. If your a bit of an OCD Perfectionist like I am, you could even make a little cork for the bottom, if it's hollow all the way through!
Step 4:Connect your Airstone to the Airline and insert into the pipe. It may be necessary to insert the Airstone through the bottom, threading the Airline up through. Then connect the other end to your Airpump. (After typing this, the word Air doesn't look right >:|)
Step 5:Attach your suckers and clamps to the pipe (two holds it down better), place your sponge filter in the aquarium, switch it on and... Viola! Your finished!
Optional Extra Steps:
Adding an Air Valve:Follow
Step 4 as normal, but before connecting the airline to the Airpump, cut the Airline about halfway along. Insert your Airvalve, and connect the half's back up. This is very helpful if your tank is in your bedroom, as it can be turned right now to reduce noise, but still give a small amount of flow! Also great for when fry require very gentle currents!
Adding Filter Wool:Simply wrap the filter wool around the area where the holes are, and then slip the filter sponge over the top!
2 stage filtration, WHOO! Be careful not to make it too thick though, else it might reduce the filters power!
Adding Ceramic Media:Even simply-er (Is that even a word?), just drop your ceramic media into the filter pipe on top of the airstone!
3 stage filtration, even more WHOO!
And there we have it! A simple, easy-peasy, cheap 3-Stage filtration Sponge filter!
Not only is it great for fry, it's also great for spawning fish that require gentle water, or for those that prefer calm waters, like the lazy Betta! Plus, who
doesn't like bubbles ey? :3
Also, whilst the kind I've described works best for small aquariums, you could easily adapt it for larger aquariums by adding a bigger block of sponge, and using a power head at the top of the pipe instead of using an airstone!
Also, one airpump can power a couple of these, through the use of a splitter in your airline! Mine powers the sponge filter in my Betta tank, and an airstone for oxygenating in my main tank, and both work pretty fiercely!
Hope it helps! Let me know what you think!
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