Shrimp Guard For External Filter Intake

[ZoddyZod]

Morning all,

I'm expecting delivery of a Fluval 305 today and I need to protect my cherry shrimp from the filter intake.

I found this natty little device on eBay LINK which I am considering, but I also wondered about making a simple version myself. I guess other people have done this so what are you recommendations? Where can I buy small quantites of the wire mesh that's small enough to filter the shrimp?

 

[kiriyama]

You can also get a simple sponge which goes over the intake of the filter , have seen them in lfs, shrimp were all over it eating all the goodies

 

[ZoddyZod]

you mean like THIS?
I'm a bit concerned that a sponge will reduce the lph rating of the filter, which should not happen with the stainless steel mesh?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Old pair of tights?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Old pair of tights?

hmmm, nice cheap temporary soloution until I get a more permanent fix......cheers!

 

[mini_matt]

thick bit of pvc pipe cut slots all around so you are left with two 'collars' at each end with a number of 'legs' between probably 4 or 5 legs will do, stretch tights over the pipe and onto your filter inlet, the bit of pipe basically works to keep the tights or other mesh away from the end of the hose leaving plenty of sucking room

 

[bitteraspects]

you mean like THIS?
I'm a bit concerned that a sponge will reduce the lph rating of the filter, which should not happen with the stainless steel mesh?

a coarse sponge will not reduce the flow of your intake unless you fail to keep it clean. much the same with the mesh or any other type of pre filter.

you can buy a "filter saver bag". lee's and a few other companies make them. basically its a mesh drawstring bag. nothing fancy, and not exactly pretty, but it works.
ive used both the filter socks and sponge pre filters in my fry tanks with no problems.

 

[three-fingers]

For my Fluval 105, I blocked of the end of the intake stem (without strainer), then drilled dozens of holes in it. Then I put some Fluval 3 (the old type, you can buy them off eBay) sponge pads over it.

I clean the sponge under the tap every few months, never seen any reduction in flow rate and my shrimp population is booming.