Foam Box Filters

[BethK]

Hi All

I want to change my current filter to an air pump sponge filter, something like the below;

or ones on the below link;

Box filter

What would I need to accompany the filter? Just an airpump and air line? I currently have a Tetratec APS Aquarium Air Pump, that is for a max. of 60ltrs, running on my airstone. Could I use the same size pump for a box filter?

My tank is a 60ltr, I figure a box filter will be cost effective with using less electricity and free up space in the upper part of the tank.

Would you be able to advise what box filters are better quality or how I would go about making one for a 60ltr?

Thanks

 

[OldMan47]

Almost any box filter shape will work fine Beth. If you have a running power filter of some kind, just move the media into the box filter and you will have a functional and cycled filter. I run mine the easy way. I simply connect some air line to the filter and to the gang valve that controls my air usage for that particular air pump. You want to adjust the air flow in the riser so that the bubbles occupy about 1/3 of the volume in the riser and water occupies the other 2/3. That will give you about the best filter flow as you can get. More air will just fill the tube with air and no water moves. Less air and you are not making the water rise as fast as it could in the riser tube. Taller riser tubes also will help the bubbles pump more water as long as they stay submerged in the tank.

Beware of the drawbacks to simple sponge filters and box filters. The main drawback is that they do almost nothing to clean the particulate in the water. They amount to a purely biological filter in most cases. That means that you will be doing better gravel vacs than you needed to do with a power filter.

 

[BethK]

Thanks for that, I'll take it on board.

I'll try it out, my shrimp poop everywhere, I'm raking the sand 3 times a week

So, box size is not an issue, good to hear x

 

[BethK]

I've decided to buy the box filter, just ordered it, along with a tetratec ASP 100 pump

 

[Tolak]

I've found that with a taller box filter, which in effect gives you a taller riser tube, once you get past about 2 lpm of air you are starting to filter like a hob filter. I toss a few rocks in the bottom of mine for weight, and load them with floss for filtering particulates out of the water.

In tanks with box filters I run a sponge filter as well for bio filtration, this gets run at a lower flow, about 1-2 bubbles per second. When the floss gets dirty in the box filters I just toss it, without having to be concerned about loosing any bio filtration.

 

[BethK]

they the black filters?

 

[Tolak]

Some sponges are home made, blue foam & pvc;

If I can pick them up for cheaper than I can make them I do just that.

The boxes are the larger cans;

http/www.jehmco.com/assets/images/auto_generated_images/a_LJRBF_sml.jpg

One of the advantages to box filters is media flexibility, if it fits inside you can run it. Here's a pic of a box running peat;

Most often I have them running just plain floss.