Filter for old hexagon tank

1483 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by GrampsGrunge, Jan 3, 2017

MUTigers

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2016

I have a similar thread going in the lighting sub forum about this tank, I hope that's ok!

I found this aquarium in my parents basement. It's easily from the mid-to-late 80s but appears to be in very good condition.

It's about 5 gallons and acrylic with only a small hole on the top. I remember it being set up from time to time as a kid and it was last set up 12ish years ago.

The top has a hole on top where the light (no longer with us) sat and a very small hole that accommodated the filter. Back in the day the filter suction cupped onto the inside of the tank and an air tube ran through the tiny hole to a pump. I don't know for certain but I imagine the pump was just a sponge. Anyway, the filter is no longer with us either, so any suggestions on what type of filter might work?

There are no current plans to set up this tank, just trying to decide if it might be feasible. If so, it would be planted, probably with shrimp and a betta or a small group of micro fish.

ETA: the small hole for the filter is in the upper right hand corner of the top on the second picture.

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MUTigers

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jan 1, 2017

Bumping this up...

I'm thinking a sponge filter may be a good way to go. Any thoughts? Any recommendations?

BTW, I cleaned the tank today, so it looks much better now. It also holds water, so I should be good to use it!

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pmcarbrey

· #3 · Jan 1, 2017

That tank looks amazing for its age. Unfortunately it looks like it will be very difficult to use anything other than a sponge filter unless you have custom lily pipes made for a canister filter

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goodbytes

· #4 · Jan 1, 2017

Sponge filter for sure.

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Lekoguy

· #5 · Jan 2, 2017

An air powered foam filter would work just fine.

These tanks are fun, but they make ongoing maintenance a royal pain in the whatever. Easy access makes life bigly better and these tanks lack that hugely.

You mentioned a Betta and that would require a heater. Many glass stores also work with plexiglass and could possibly cut an additional access port in the top.

Sorry I can't be more rah-rah, but there are better ways to go for a planted Betta tank.

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MUTigers

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 2, 2017

Lekoguy said:
An air powered foam filter would work just fine.

These tanks are fun, but they make ongoing maintenance a royal pain in the whatever. Easy access makes life bigly better and these tanks lack that hugely.

You mentioned a Betta and that would require a heater. Many glass stores also work with plexiglass and could possibly cut an additional access port in the top.

Sorry I can't be more rah-rah, but there are better ways to go for a planted Betta tank.

I agree on the access and betta. I love this little tank, so if we go this route the new plan is either just shrimp (most likely) or shrimp and a few micro fish.

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GrampsGrunge

· #7 · Jan 3, 2017

I'd also second the recommendation of letting a shop experienced with acrylic cutting open any further holes in this classic old tank. Trying this with a home hand jigsaw will find you cutting a slot that "reglues" itself together with the heated up plastic swarf from the cut. You also could run the risk of starting a fracture.

This little sponge filter from Amazon is a pretty good deal https://www.amazon.com/XY-2831-Sponge-Filter-Aquarium-10-gallon/dp/B0056XVF82

I'm using the bigger version of it in a 20H, The two filter sponges let you alternately clean the sponge media to keep your nitrifying bacteria going.

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