Cheap and efficient filter solution

[capricorn77]

OK, fair enough.
But I was looking on big al's and saw a similar type of filter for only $17.99. Pretty good price no?
Here's the product: Marineland Powerhead 660 R

[jgc]

Biggest difference I can see is scale. I have about 100 sq inches of surface area for my matten filter. The premade one has a lot less surface area for biofiltration (not to mention the flow rate is probably too high for the amount of surface area for an efficent biofilter)

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by capricorn77

OK, fair enough.
But I was looking on big al's and saw a similar type of filter for only $17.99. Pretty good price no?
Here's the product: Marineland Powerhead 660 R

Good price, but will the unit work upside down, so removing and cleaning the sponge is easy? Some powerhead pumps don't work well upside down. Also, not all powerheads appreciate bubbles of CO2 going thru them - I am fortunate that the Maxijet doesn't seem to mind them. If this one has a convenient place to introduce CO2, without running the tube thru the sponge, that is a plus too.

I don't recomend that everyone use this type of filter, but for me it has been ideal.

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by capricorn77

OK, please don't be mad, but I'm trying to figure out what the difference of this unique filter is compared to most internal filters like a fluval plus or eheim aquaball?

Like I said earlier, an internal filter with a sponge is nothing new. This is just a slightly simplified, modified version, flexible because you get to choose pump power and flow and what kind and size of sponge you prefer.

I have looked closely a couple of times at the Fluval you linked to, and what I don't like about it is that the foam pad is skinny and will clog up quickly and need frequent maintenance. Also, I think there might be a bypass issue. Also, while it isn't huge, it will definitely be highly visible compared to a little pump with a sponge sitting in a bottom corner of the tank, hidden by plants.

The Eheims are a little more pricy, and the green ball isn't everyones favorite tank decoration. The model you linked to is for a 16gal tank, so a little on the weak side maybe.

I have that filter running on my understocked 36gal for about 1/2 year, clean it every 2 months or so, and I am amazed how much stuff collects in the sponge and how simple it is just to pull it out and then stick it back on.

DIY isn't for everyone... Just want to share what works for me, even if there are ready-made solutions out there.

[RuslanJamil]

Wasserpest, could you post photos of your cheap filter again? All I get are broken links...

Thanks.

[p3purr]

Originally Posted by RuslanJamil

Wasserpest, could you post photos of your cheap filter again? All I get are broken links...

Thanks.

I second that! Would love to see it!

[Wasserpest]

Sorry guys, all the Planted Tank hosted pictures disappeared, I looked at my harddrive and couldn't find it right away. I'll keep looking and re-post them if I find it.

Basically it was just a powerhead, turned upside down, with a sponge stuck to the inlet. I used one of these sponges, cut them into quarters (like a cake), cut a slit in the center and stuck them on the powerhead, using an inlet strainer to stabilize that thing.

The AC30 powerhead and the sponge is still the only filtration on my 36 gal tank, and while I have been considering to replace it with a canister filter to get some equipment out of the tank (filter and heater and CO2) it works extremely well. All I do is pull the sponge out every 4 weeks or so and give it a good squeeze in a bucket.

[RuslanJamil]

The main question I have is how does the CO2 get to the impeller?

Thanks.

[Wasserpest]

You could either route it through the sponge close to the inlet strainer, like described by Hoppy in post 13.

Or, if the pump body allows for it, drill a little hole and feed it through there.

[BOTIA]

hey guys heck out the RiO 600rvt and 800rvt power heads. They have a special pivoting blade
impeller designed just for breaking up gas bubbles.
i have an 800 in my 75 powering a spray bar. It is very powerful and produces a very fine mist.
Cheers
Botia

"Durable, "one moving part" system.

Replaceable impeller assemblies, ensure an extended life.

Ideal for use with protein skimmers, or as sump returns for small tanks.

Suitable for both freshwater and marine aquariums.

RVT Indicates this pump is a venturi model designed for use with protein skimmers or overflows."

[RuslanJamil]

Thanks for the info, Botia... will try to look for it in this part of the world. I've bought a couple of Rios before but have not seen/noticed the RVTs.

[Wasserpest]

It is pretty neat if you can turn the pump upside down so the filter sponge sticks on top, easier to remove for cleaning, plus the water flow is stronger in the lower area of the tank (less surface agitation).

Not sure if the Rio RVT type pumps work that way... works both ways though.

[Left C]

Here's a pic of the Rio 600/800 RVT that BOTIA mentioned.


Tom Barr posted about using this powerhead for misting. Don't pay any attention to the pic of it that's linked from Marine Depot. It's an error. They recently upgraded their website and made a boo boo: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ge...powerhead.html

You can also buy the RVT kit for $6.99 and it will fit the Rio 200, 400, 600 and 800 models. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~TA4111.html

There's also a RVT Rejuvenating Venturi kit for the more powerful Rio 1700, 2100 and 2500HP Models. RVT Rejuvenating Venturi For Rio 1700, 2100, 2500HP. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~TA4113.html

[vidiots]

I used to do something similar for my fry tank. I would take a large sheet of that Marineland "Rite-Size" blue bonded filter pad and glue it to an undergravel filter plate and have it powered by a small power head. This prevented the fry from getting sucked into a filter intake as the whole bottom of the tank was covered by filter foam. It was also extremely low maintenance. I never really made much of a plant tank out of it though except to throw some java moss in there which over time completely coated the filter foam and stuck to it really well. I did not add any CO2 to that tank, but suppose it could have been easily done by having a piece of tubing run under the UGF filter plate and up into the UGF lift tube.

I couldn't find a link to the stuff I used but here is a link to another brand of the same stuff I used.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~RB7311.html

[Nano Nano]

I can't seem to see the pics? Can you repost them or something?

Thanks.