jeremoose Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Anyone know where to order large sponge filters online? When I say large I mean 6"+ in diameter and at least 6" tall (not including lift tube). I found this on ebay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OCEAN-FREE-JUMBO-BIOFOAM-180-GALLON-LARGE-SPONGE-FILTER-/200562249715 but the price with shipping for a couple of them is kind-of excessive. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash_oesc Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 not quite 6X6 http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c5809/c222053/p16854072.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damtrees Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 seen at least a 12x12 inch one at aquagiant almost bought it just to put in my sump it was huge didnt even think they made them that big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 I think I have a big one sitting in a box - it's got to be at least 6x6" - could be the one damtrees is talking about at AG. If you want to trade for it, you can have it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted August 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 Thanks for the replies everyone! And Jvision, I need at least 2 of the same type so trading for yours won't really work out I guess sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 My suggestion would be to make one. You could easily make a couple of them for the same price as buying one big one + shipping. PVC, Foam, airstone. . .done. Easy peasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 What about those big chunks of poret that Angel Fins carries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 My suggestion would be to make one. You could easily make a couple of them for the same price as buying one big one + shipping. PVC, Foam, airstone. . .done. Easy peasy. What do you use to way it down then? I want them to have a uniform look to them. What about those big chunks of poret that Angel Fins carries? I'm not sure what chunks you're talkin' about! Loving these suggestions. The sponge filters will be going in my 240 to help with biological filtration, hence the large size i'm looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 http://angelfins.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=726 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I would say go to Home Depot and buy a few slate tiles to weigh them down. That's what I've done in the past! They can be siliconed right to the tile. In simplistic terms, the way to build a sponge filter is thus: 1. Buy some PVC (about an inch in diameter), buy some poret foam as Caine has suggested. Or, if you're looking for even cheaper, Home Depot sells giant natural car wash sponges which I have used in the past with great success (just check the packaging and make sure that it is not treated with a mold inhibitor or ANY chemicles). And buy some slate tiles. 2. Cut your foam/sponge to the diameter that you want. 3. Soak your sponge and get it full of water. 4. Get a Tupperware container that you can stuff the sponge (tightly) in to and do so. Then put the lid on. Throw that sucker in the freezer until solid! 5. Once it's solid, take it out and before it has time to thaw, drill a hole that is SMALLER than your PVC down the middle. e.g if you're using a 1" diameter PVC pipe, use a 3/4" diameter hole down the sponge. You want the PVC to sit tightly in the middle of the sponge with no gap. 6. While it is then thawing out start drilling loads of holes in the portion of your PVC that will be in the sponge (this will be your stand pipe). You want the pipe to be the length of the sponge plus a few inches (the closer to the top of the water that your stand pipe is, the quieter it will be) 7. Put PVC stand pipe in the sponge. 9. Silicone the bottom of the stand pipe tightly to the slate 10. Stick sponge over top 11. Run an air tube with an air stone to the bottom of the standpipe 12. Stand back an revel at the amazing thing you've made for less than $10 (I used to make varying sizes for between $5-$15) Cheap, simple, highly effective and the added satisfaction of saying "I made that!" Just a side note, the freezing step isn't 100% necessary but I have found it to be the best way to uniformly drill that hole. If you do it in a sponge that is dry you will shred the hell out of it and it will indeed look like hell! Good luck! Any questions, please just ask or send me a pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Wah! That freezing trick is cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Yeah that's the first time I've heard of the freezing trick, going to make my own after all! Will post results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Aye, I'm sure it's been done before. But it was an idea I had the last time I was making these things. I shredded the hell out of a sponge and was getting frustrated. I kept thinking,"there must be a better way!!!!" Then it occurred to me to freeze it! Works really well Again, I take no credit for the originality of the idea, I'm sure it's been done before. And if it hasn't, well....even a broken clock is right twice a day Post some pics of your final product so we can point and judge!!! I mean...so we can praise and support!!! Edited August 14, 2013 by Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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