trickle filter vs sponge filter

[dazzman]

Whazzap guys,

Got a bit of a dilema here. I've got a 6 foot that I was running a trickle filter but it got into some trouble with the flukes. treated it and all but it kept recurring so I drained it and steralised everything. I'm cycling it now and am thinking of just using more bio sponge filters and up the wcs. That way at least I know that all crap will be siphoned out instead of it going into the filter where it can cause potential problems. hmmm.... any thoughts??

cheers
daz

[goldenpigeon]

is it possible to put a catchment in your trickle filter? just to collect everything? how many w/c you do in a week?

[dazzman]

I suppose I could but there will still be stuff in the bio balls, etc. I do wc twice a week when I had the trickle filter bout 30% each time. I only had 4 fish in there at the time hence the frequency of the wcs. I guess I'll be able to increase it to once every 2 days without the trickle. reckon that'll do it?

[Merrilyn]

Hi dazzman. Have you thought of putting a sponge on the intake of your trickle filter. Then you still have the advantage of that big home in the trickle filter for the bacteria, but all the gunk will be captured by the sponge.

You will need to clean it twice a week, but it should work well, and it will prevent anything but clean water going into your trickle filter.

[goldenpigeon]

yes i would advise you do that (spong4e on intake) and even add some sponges if you want. it wont hurt at all. but the trickle filter is very beneficial. is the tank a bb?

[mtchye]

These are really good suggestions and since I started using sponge prefilters for all my filters (canisters etc) I've never looked back. Cuts down on messy maintenance by 2 to 4 times on the main large filter and you just need to squeeze the sponge out every so often. The best type of foam to use as a prefilter is the blue open cell filter foam that you can get from specialist foam places - you can find those in the ypages but if in strife Clark Rubber also sell them albeit a little more pricey.

The open cell foam gets most of the gunk, doesn't clog as fast, is cheap and easy to cut to size. Also when cleaning a few squeezes and its ready to go again. Beware of the black type which degrades in aquariums, as well as any closed cell cheaper versions for obvious reasons.

Most foam stores will cut them exactly to size and only charge you for what you take.

In a trickle filter I would use a layer of white filter floss, the common stuff, as the next layer after the blue prefilter as this will trap all the small particles that get past.

HTH

[dazzman]

Cheers Guys,

I may try that. So would the levels in the trickle filter be 1. prefilter 2. white cotton thingy 3. bioballs 4. water back to tank. Don't think I'll need those ceramic rings and all.... you think??

Hey mtchye, is that the exact name for the foam "blue open cell filter foam". and would you be able to advise on where I can get it from. So I know I'm getting the right stuff.

Thanks again.

[goldenpigeon]

yes thats the right order.... how many compartments are in the filter?

[kalebjarrod]

I use simple quilting inner from the fabric store in my trickle and a open pore sponge from G&S over the intake, the open pore collects all the leaves and large pore gunk and the quilting inner collect the small stuff :wink:

[mtchye]

Yup blue open cell filter foam and look up your local foam store in the yellow pages. Same people who sell styrofoam etc should have it or be able to get it in for you. Let your fingers do the walking ;) Just tell them you want to use it in an aquarium and they will advise you whether or not they have some. Beware the black stuff, I bought some and was told it was the same but it is not. For some reason it breaks down after a few months in aquariums.