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Dan,

Sorry I didn’t respond earlier to your project log, somehow I missed it.

So far, it is looking really good, let’s hope that it will work as well as it looks .

You never answered the questions I raised in your other thread, so let me ask you again:

- Are you planning on using an additional conventional filter? If not, how would you handle situations when the addition of other media, like activated carbon for medication removal, is suggested?

- Have you thought about what it means to clean (or replace) this sucker?

- Given that the filter cannot be decorated (either with plants or paint), did you think about the fact the filter sheet will be the visual background of your tank?

You actually did respond to the last question and your explanation that the filter is on the side of the tank and hidden in the cabinet is very sufficient. But somehow I cannot envision how your filter would work if you place java moss on it (which is what you said in that thread). Wouldn’t that greatly hinder the filtration?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Do you have algae eaters in the tanks? I have seen many a sponge filter gnawed down to a nub of its former self by "grazing" pleco types.

it was the whole front face of the foam that disintergated in both tanks but the back is still ok , very strange

OH TOLEEDY!

Hi,
I use a piece of sponge in my HOB as a filter and that is
all I use. I liked the idea of the filter you were
highlighting but since I have a small tank, I was
reluctant (as were others in the article) to take up
"swimming/viewing room" with the inside filter.

Because of the comments in the write up, I too suspect
that the problem was the foam and not your installation.

Please keep us posted as you evolve and refine the thing.

Frank


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

The entire piece of foam is disitegrating, or just where you have the output?

well after about 2 months the matt filters are an utter failure . the foam is disintergrating and therefore getting holes in the mat and not filtering properly . it was proper aquarium sponge that i bought so i dont know what the problem was, maybe uv light.

very disapointed as otherwise the filters are great the only maintenance i did in the 2 months was to clean the front with my gravel filter when i did a water change and all my fish were doing great.

when i can get my hands some different foam i will try again , lucky that i can work overtime when i want to pay for all my fish stuff.


pics will follow toomorrow


OH TOLEEDY!

pic 3

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OH TOLEEDY!

pic 2

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OH TOLEEDY!

pic one

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OH TOLEEDY!

ingo, sorry i didnt get back to you with answers, i really enjoy having another fishkeepers input on this.
1. im not planning on using an additional filter to the mat filter, when i need to use carbon etc. i will use the original filter attachments to hold the media (see pic)
2. from the lierature available i will be able to use a gravel vac to get debris off the front of the filter and cleaning the sponge will be a rare occurence ,every 6 months or so , but as my tanks are outside i can make a mess without getting in trouble.
3. i am going to try the java moss maybe it will affect operation , maybe the flow will still be ok, i might have to use a stronger powerhead. two of my tanks are black on the inside so the matt blends quite well, is even less obtrusive with the heater and powerhead behind it (pic 2) and the other four tanks will be in a cabinet the same as this one (pic 3) but much larger .

as for whether this is a good way of filtering my tanks i dont know yet, time will tell.




Last edited by dan76 at 04-Oct-2005 20:52

OH TOLEEDY!

here are some pics of the installation
first the filter mat

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OH TOLEEDY!

the filters are keeping the tanks nice and clean so far so good.

OH TOLEEDY!

Hi,
A great article about a variation of the sponge filter.

Frank


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

A very informative article here:
http://www.janrigter.nl/mattenfilter/

Kinda like a vertical wet/dry?

a pic of how one looks in my 4f ply tank

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OH TOLEEDY!

with tank full

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OH TOLEEDY!

front of mat

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OH TOLEEDY!

powerhead, i have left the filter attached to seed the mat

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OH TOLEEDY!

in the tank

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OH TOLEEDY!