Prevents small animals and debris from getting sucked up
Increases filter capacity
Uses coarse foam to extend time between cleaning
The pre-filter or intake sponge is a simple foam cylinder that is designed to slip over the intake tube ofhang-on-back (HOB) and canister filters. The filter intake tube often has large openings, so use a pre filter sponge to prevent fish, shrimp, and sizable debris from getting sucked up and ruining the filter motor. Not only does an intake sponge clear up your water, but it also provides valuable surface area to grow beneficial bacteria.
Find out which sponge size to get and how to properly fit it to your hang-on-back or canister filter intake by viewing the Sizing Chart and Video below. (Click the "Show More" button to expand the Directions/Specifications section.)
Increased Filter Efficiency
Increase the capacity of your filtration. A pre filter sponge provides valuable surface area to grow beneficial bacteria, which purify waste chemicals in the water and make it safe for your fish to live in. It also adds mechanical filtration that keeps bulk debris from clogging your finer filter pads and extends the life and efficiency of your filter media.
Prevent Fish, Snails, and Food From Being Sucked Up
The filter intake tube often has large openings that allow sizable objects to get sucked up by the filter, potentially ruining the motor, so use a pre-filter sponge to help prevent baby fish, long-finned fish, dwarf shrimp, snails, plant leaves, fish food, and other debris from entering the filter.
Easy To Clean and Reusable
Put a ziploc bag around your pre filter sponge when you remove it from the aquarium. Squeeze it until the water turns brown. Dump the dirty water on your favorite houseplant. Then get another bag of water and repeat until clean. Afterwards, place it back on your filter's intake. This reusable, re-washable prefilter will last you many years.
Proper Fitment
In general, a larger pre-filter sponge is always better because it gives you more time between cleanings and increases your filtration capacity. Use a zip tie or O-ring on the filter intake tube when you need a snug friction fit to keep the sponge from falling off, as shown in the picture. A rubber o-ring can be found at hardware stores or Amazon.
Fits Most Filters
Most hang-on-back and canister filters can be fitted with a pre filter sponge. With some filters like the Fluval 409 series, it slides right over the intake and is a direct fit. With other filters like the Fluval FX series, you must remove the intake screen or basket and use an o-ring or zip tie. See the Sizing Chart in this page's Directions/Specifications section to pick the right pre-filter sponge for your filter.
Hi, I run a tropical farm, raising fish and plants for the hobby, and founded my state's planted aquarium group. I have bought many pre-filter sponges, from various groups, and always come back to Aquarium Co-op, after disappointment with others. I was shocked to see a review saying they are too porous, and this motivated me to chime-in and say how this is a good thing, not a bad thing. They last so much longer than other brands, that are finer, clog, and then restrict and burn-up HOB filters, far too often. I've never had this happen with an Aquarium Co-op PFS. It just bothered me, deeply, seeing someone named Ray give a one star review and whine that they're too porous, when this is actually the beauty of the product, and why I keep coming back to you guys for these, when there are so many cheap ones with finer foam on the market. That guy doesn't know what he's talking about! Take it from a tropical farmer, you want this type! If you need proof, find the Arkansas Planted Aquarium Club and ask around or search cave.dweller.mediocrates on YouTube and IG
R
Ray
Sponge filters are too course or porous. Need to be finer so catches smaller particles
L
LLP (Tucson, AZ, US)
large prefilter sponge
I don't overfeed but food does get past fish and straight to the intake tube. Not to mention that noncompetitive species like corydoras are able to find snacks on the prefilter.
E
Emily R. (Frisco, TX, US)
Med & Lg Sizes Are Best
I wish there was a size in-between the medium and large sizes, but overall I love that these sponges take forever to get clogged and don’t prevent intake flow. I use them on almost all my filters!
T
Terrance T. (West Covina, CA, US)
Good quality
First time using an item like this. Hole is a little small to fit over my intake. Just used a knife to cut some slits and make it fit.
S
Sue M. (Estacada, OR, US)
Amazing little home for beneficial bacteria!
I use these medium sized Prefilter sponges on the overflow tube of my drilled tanks that sit on racks. I drill the hole 1/4 of the way down from the top of the tank, install a bulkhead and have a poly tube that sets the water level. One of these sponges goes over each poly tube. When I want to do a 25% water change, I just rotate the tube downward. This prefilter sponge keeps all of my fry, tiny fish and shrimp from exiting the aquarium. They are a perfect place for beneficial bacteria to live. I have these on 63 tanks right now.
B
Braydon A. (Idaho Falls, ID, US)
Fit perfect
Fits perfectly and prevents my baby shrimp from being sucked up into the filter
B
Bob V. (Lake Stevens, WA, US)
Saves lots of time….
The coarse pre filters save time cleaning impellers and media in the hang on the back filters. The added benefit is the Plecos and shrimp enjoy grazing on them between cleaning. ….. which is every 2 weeks, 5 minutes….
J
Jeanine H. (Atlanta, GA, US)
Good replacement
Works with some excellent aquarium filters. Long lasting and neither too fine nor too coarse.
S
SJ (Roanoke, VA, US)
Medium fits right inside a python vacuum
Perfect size and coarseness to fit inside a python siphon and not clog the flow too much to keep a decent water change rate. Keeps dry safe and lets most of that gunk pass right on through!
