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HI everyone!

Since my 20g is overrun with those pesky snails (due to inability and laziness to remove), My cartridges have been overtaken by those cretins and it has clogged. Now, just recently, i visited the Pet Store and bought myself some filter foam(Fluval ???, And Aquaclear ???) and replaced it with it. Heres where you come in... Do you think it is better to just leave it in there and just keep washing/replacing it every 2 weeks/1 month? Or is it better to just keep on buying the default Penguin Filter Cartridge? I think it is less of a hassle and cheaper to go with the sponges, and i also think that i can kill/rid myself of the snails once they built up in the sponge. The sponges dont fit perfectly, but they dont have any bypass because i crammed it to the top with media.

Does anyone here have any experience with rigging up filter foam to their filter? ANy tips, because i can sure use 'em. Does the sponge work as well as the Cartridge?

THanks everyone!!!


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I've only had a generic petsmart filter that used cartridges, so correct me if I'm wrong, but they have carbon in them yes? In that case you're losing out on the cleaning that carbon does. I havent used carbon in awhile, so it's fine to go without.

As for using blocks to replace a cartridge. My concern is that the motor was designed for a specific ammount of resistance. You may be altering that by changing the ammount of water able to flow through. This may or may not actually harm the filter. You'll have to decide if its worth the risk.

I'd still work on dealing with the original problem of the snails.

^_^

I will have to agree with Babelfish 110% on this one each filter is designed to work at its best using the filter material supplied. If any variation from the norm could result in a lower filtration rate or the opposite too fast and the filter not working efficiently.

Sounds like it is not a filter problem but a house keeping problem as

(due to inability and laziness to remove),

I would get rid of all the snails rather than play with the filter.

There are plenty of methods of removing snails some take longer than others. I am a believer in Clown Loaches they do a fantastic job especially young ones I used a small CL in my 32lt Betta tank not only did all the snails go quickly but he also removed all their eggs.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Hi,
And then, there is the opposite. I've an aqua-clear and
long ago they ceased making the replacement parts for it.
So, I shifted over to a foam only media. The output is the
same as before, and it been running for years that way.
Over time, as I squeeze out the foam in old water, the
foam can fray or shrink and when that happens, I simply
replace it so there is no gaps between the foam and the
walls of the filter.

I do agree though about the snails, there are easier ways
to get rid of them. However, it does require "some effort"
on your part.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Just watch that it doesn't fill up with debris too quickly and cause your tank to overflow via the filter. I've had two HOB 'leaks' because of playing around with media, it is awfully messy! Move the tank lids away from the front of the filter, just in case.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

True, it is a housekeeping problem...I have been so busy latley with HW and what not, that i have been kinda lazy and overlooked the problem of my tanks. I am going to try the cucumber method next time i have a spare cucumber lying around...... Will celery work too? I Always have celery. ALso, i am going to get some zebra loaches(I just found out that kuhlis arent snail eaters).

Anayway, i do not think that it will do that much damage to my filter, but i am willing to take the risk. If it really gets bad, ill just buy some filter floss and tie it on to the front of the sponges to increase resistance.

THanks for all your input!!!

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