Beefing Up MY UGF

[Drumachine09]

I just transformed my guppy fry nursery (2.35 gal. hex.) into a ghost shriimp tank (4 ghost shrimp and the runt of the last guppy litter). It has an UGF, but it could be a LOT better. Is there any way i can beef it up? I was thinking about putting some filter floss or some other filter media under the big intake pad. Would this work? OOR do you all have better suggestions.

[Lady Hobbs]

To beef it up, I would tear it out. LOL Add a sponge filter.

[Drumachine09]

Should i just take the intake tube off of the intake pad and jam it in a sponge then?

[cocoa_pleco]

no, just get a regular sponge filter, or ask hobbs if you can jab a sponge into it. she'll know for sure

[Drumachine09]

Hobbs, can i jab it in a sponge?

[Lady Hobbs]

Well, you can wet a sponge and freeze it and cut a hole in it easier that way. Or cut a X in the top and slide the sponge in that way. Sponge filters themselves only cost a few bucks and the sponge themselves only a couple dollars. You'll also need holes in the tube to draw water in.

Are you using only the UGF or do you have a HOB, as well? UGF aren't too good if you have fry eggs but since guppies are live births they should be ok.

http://img.nextag.com/image/Hydro_III_Sponge_Filter/0/000/005/270/057/527005797.jpg (http://www.nextag.com/norob/PtitleSeller.jsp?chnl=main&tag=538174487&ctx=zcTvnPriylD2eQj53xhVN7okZDBcER%2BW&ptitle=526985748)

One like this is less than $10. You just attach your power head to it. Or just get the sponge and use your own uplift tubes. You're going to have to block the hole on the bottom with a cork or something tho.

[Drumachine09]

Well, you can wet a sponge and freeze it and cut a hole in it easier that way. Or cut a X in the top and slide the sponge in that way. Sponge filters themselves only cost a few bucks and the sponge themselves only a couple dollars. You'll also need holes in the tube to draw water in.

Are you using only the UGF or do you have a HOB, as well? UGF aren't too good if you have fry eggs but since guppies are live births they should be ok.

http://img.nextag.com/image/Hydro_III_Sponge_Filter/0/000/005/270/057/527005797.jpg (http://www.nextag.com/norob/PtitleSeller.jsp?chnl=main&tag=538174487&ctx=zcTvnPriylD2eQj53xhVN7okZDBcER%2BW&ptitle=526985748)

One like this is less than $10. You just attach your power head to it. Or just get the sponge and use your own uplift tubes. You're going to have to block the hole on the bottom with a cork or something tho.

I dont have a whole lot of cash right now, and i only have 1 guppy fry and 4 GS. I think ill just make my own sponge filter. Thanks for the help!

[cocoa_pleco]

One way to make a ugly ( at least im honest!) but cheap filter is take a old plastic fish food container, (theyre non-toxic), stick a big hose in it ( like 1cm diameter), and then hold the hose down and fill it up with pebbles and a little bit of carbon so that the pebbles/ carbon are filling the container 3/4 full. Then add polywool to the top and stick a small hose attatched to a pump down the big hole like a cheap ugf. and now you have a good sponge filter.

I actually tried this for a 3 gal tank when my aulonocara was sick and it worked well

[AquaQueen]

well aren't we Mr Crafty...LOL

[Drumachine09]

One way to make a ugly ( at least im honest!) but cheap filter is take a old plastic fish food container, (theyre non-toxic), stick a big hose in it ( like 1cm diameter), and then hold the hose down and fill it up with pebbles and a little bit of carbon so that the pebbles/ carbon are filling the container 3/4 full. Then add polywool to the top and stick a small hose attatched to a pump down the big hole like a cheap ugf. and now you have a good sponge filter.

I actually tried this for a 3 gal tank when my aulonocara was sick and it worked well
Do i have to clog up the end and poke holes in the side?
My ugf is powered by an air stone, is it not going to be powerful enough?

[cocoa_pleco]

no, dont clog it. If you can get a BIG hose for the big part that actually goes into the container, stick an airstone to the small hose and stick it in, but if you cant get a big enough one like me just stick the end of the small hose in.

[cocoa_pleco]

well aren't we Mr Crafty...LOL

you learn a few things like this, and my diy coconut cave. LOL

[Drumachine09]

no, dont clog it. If you can get a BIG hose for the big part that actually goes into the container, stick an airstone to the small hose and stick it in, but if you cant get a big enough one like me just stick the end of the small hose in.

Could you maybe make a diagram in MS paint. I dont think i am grasping the concept very well.

[Drumachine09]

Success! I made it and it works GREAT! Thanks Hobbs and Cocopleco

[cocoa_pleco]

i have 2 go out for 20 min, but I was on another forum a few years back and I had a link to someone elses page with the filter with pics. Ill link it in a bit.

[cocoa_pleco]

FOUND IT!

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Davies_Sponge_Filter.html

[Lady Hobbs]

Success! I made it and it works GREAT! Thanks Hobbs and Cocopleco

KOOL! Glad

[Lady Hobbs]

Success! I made it and it works GREAT! Thanks Hobbs and Cocopleco

KOOL! Glad you gott'er dun

[cocoa_pleco]

lol:1: thumbs2: :19: