Filter for 5g (might become a fry tank)

sneasle · 07-30-2008, 03:42 PM

Hey guys. My angels are all alone in the 29g right now and they took it upon themselves to lay another batch of eggs. This is the 3rd batch of eggs since I have had them (about 2 months), and since they are all alone in the tank for the moment these will probably survive.

I have an older 5g regency (now eclipse) bow front that the filter broke on that I would like to use for the fry for a very short time until they are large enough to not get sucked up in my other tanks filters.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I do still have the lid/hood for this tank, so ideally this filter would not cause me to have to cut the hood up too much.

COM · 07-30-2008, 04:49 PM

For a tank that small, I would use a sponge filter.

I used to think that they were crap but that was before some of the very expert people here explained to me that they are actually quite good.

waynside · 07-30-2008, 06:44 PM

definitely agree on the sponge filter...

sneasle · 07-30-2008, 10:58 PM

Any suggestions on specific ones? How do they work? Don't they require an air pump?

waynside · 07-30-2008, 11:09 PM

They are air driven...just put the air into the incoming piece on the sponge and it sucks water into the sponge and comes out the top with the air. Its main purpose is biological filtration and it is safe for the babies...I have them in all of my shrimp tanks.

Any of these will work...Then you need an air pump.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...wType=Category

sneasle · 07-31-2008, 12:08 AM

Well, the lack of info on which filters are appropriate for what size tank is kind of discouraging. That, and they are expensive compared to Dr. F&S in this case.

trashion · 07-31-2008, 12:11 AM

I have an Aquaclear 20 HOB filter on my 5.5. You could put a sponge over the intake and use one of those.

**TheOldSalt** · 07-31-2008, 01:31 AM

Most of the filters that are going to be ideal for that tank are going to need an airpump. Those tiny little whispers made for tiny tanks are run by airpump, but don't get one. They're junk.
An HOB AQ 20 like Julie suggested can work if the lid will permit it, but you'll need a spong cover over the intake.

That leaves sponge filters, a longtime standby for fry tanks and others. Tetra makes a model that is black & green and elongate which has a small footprint, ( and is expensive ) and the good old Dirt Magnet is short and squatty and cheap. The airtube on the Tetra model is much taller and closer to the surface, resulting in less roiling of the water, while the short little Dirt Magnet has a short airtube, resulting in a longer bubble trail to the top and more roiling.
There are other models out there which have much fatter airtubes that accommodate airstones, but these units are huge and a bit too big for a 5 gallon tank. They don't roil the water, though, having the airstream broken up unto fine bubbles.

Roiling isn't really a problem in most cases, but it can be loud and annoying. It actually helps keep the water cleaner, though, by improving the water's circulation.

sneasle · 07-31-2008, 09:14 PM

I think the sponge filter is the best idea, it will keep me from having to modify my tank lid..

This is what I have in mind currently:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3954

**lohachata** · 07-31-2008, 09:19 PM

sneasle..i will send you a nice little sponge filter when i ship the fish..

sneasle · 07-31-2008, 10:14 PM

Cool! Thanks John!

07-30-2008, 03:42 PM	#1
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 186	Filter for 5g (might become a fry tank) Hey guys. My angels are all alone in the 29g right now and they took it upon themselves to lay another batch of eggs. This is the 3rd batch of eggs since I have had them (about 2 months), and since they are all alone in the tank for the moment these will probably survive. I have an older 5g regency (now eclipse) bow front that the filter broke on that I would like to use for the fry for a very short time until they are large enough to not get sucked up in my other tanks filters. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do still have the lid/hood for this tank, so ideally this filter would not cause me to have to cut the hood up too much.

07-30-2008, 04:49 PM	#2
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 753	For a tank that small, I would use a sponge filter. I used to think that they were crap but that was before some of the very expert people here explained to me that they are actually quite good. __________________ 3 Planted Tanks: 10g, 20g, and 29g Last edited by COM; 07-30-2008 at 07:03 PM. Reason: spelling

07-30-2008, 06:44 PM	#3
waynside Automotive Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Age: 34 Posts: 107	definitely agree on the sponge filter... __________________ 29 gallon 5 Cardinal Tetras 7 Yellow Shrimp 7 Tiger Shrimp 20 gallon 40 Cherry Shrimp adults + 100 babies 20 S+ Grade Crystal Red Shrimp 20 gallon 20 Dark Green Shrimp 10 B/C Grade Crystal Red Shrimp

07-30-2008, 11:09 PM	#5
waynside Automotive Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Age: 34 Posts: 107	They are air driven...just put the air into the incoming piece on the sponge and it sucks water into the sponge and comes out the top with the air. Its main purpose is biological filtration and it is safe for the babies...I have them in all of my shrimp tanks. Any of these will work...Then you need an air pump. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...wType=Category __________________ 29 gallon 5 Cardinal Tetras 7 Yellow Shrimp 7 Tiger Shrimp 20 gallon 40 Cherry Shrimp adults + 100 babies 20 S+ Grade Crystal Red Shrimp 20 gallon 20 Dark Green Shrimp 10 B/C Grade Crystal Red Shrimp

07-31-2008, 12:11 AM	#7
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,409	I have an Aquaclear 20 HOB filter on my 5.5. You could put a sponge over the intake and use one of those. __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

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07-30-2008, 10:58 PM	#4
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 186	Any suggestions on specific ones? How do they work? Don't they require an air pump?

07-31-2008, 12:08 AM	#6
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 186	Well, the lack of info on which filters are appropriate for what size tank is kind of discouraging. That, and they are expensive compared to Dr. F&S in this case.

07-31-2008, 01:31 AM	#8
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,476	Most of the filters that are going to be ideal for that tank are going to need an airpump. Those tiny little whispers made for tiny tanks are run by airpump, but don't get one. They're junk. An HOB AQ 20 like Julie suggested can work if the lid will permit it, but you'll need a spong cover over the intake. That leaves sponge filters, a longtime standby for fry tanks and others. Tetra makes a model that is black & green and elongate which has a small footprint, ( and is expensive ) and the good old Dirt Magnet is short and squatty and cheap. The airtube on the Tetra model is much taller and closer to the surface, resulting in less roiling of the water, while the short little Dirt Magnet has a short airtube, resulting in a longer bubble trail to the top and more roiling. There are other models out there which have much fatter airtubes that accommodate airstones, but these units are huge and a bit too big for a 5 gallon tank. They don't roil the water, though, having the airstream broken up unto fine bubbles. Roiling isn't really a problem in most cases, but it can be loud and annoying. It actually helps keep the water cleaner, though, by improving the water's circulation.

07-31-2008, 09:14 PM	#9
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 186	I think the sponge filter is the best idea, it will keep me from having to modify my tank lid.. This is what I have in mind currently: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3954

07-31-2008, 09:19 PM	#10
lohachata Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cleveland,Ohio Age: 63 Posts: 654	sneasle..i will send you a nice little sponge filter when i ship the fish.. __________________ if we ignore nature;maybe it will go away 10 gallon..nothing but air 10 gallon...just more air 10 gallon...stale air just don't ask about the rest

07-31-2008, 10:14 PM	#11
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 186	Cool! Thanks John!

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