- Increases Filter Capacity
- Prevents Small Fish and Debris from Getting Sucked Up
- 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 of hang-on-back (HOB) and canister filters. 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, dwarf shrimp, little snails, plant leaves, fish food, and other debris from entering the filter. (depending on filters suction, and size of animal, tiny fry/shrimp/snails can still get through in some cases)
An intake sponge also 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. Finally, it adds mechanical filtration that extends the life and efficiency of your filter media.
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.)
Customer Reviews
Pre Filter Sponge
I'm not usually so easy to convince of anything, especially in this day and age when anyone can say almost anything they want on social media. But I have to admit, Cory's videos especially about his big pre-filters convinced me. Two of them are now attached to the intake tubes of my two HOB filters and have replaced fine-pored sponge filters. Granted, I had to get used to the size in my 75-gallon aquarium, but they certainly serve the purpose of creating more surface area for beneficial bacteria. - The sentence Cory writes in "Meet the Team" is also tailor-made for me. Quote: "Experiment and learn what works for you instead of doing only what others say."
Another story: He doesn't seem to like Amazon. I'll tell you what: I don't either.
Just what I needed. Keeps my fry safe. Ordered the large one for my canister filter.
This makes a nice pre filter sponge for my Platy tank. It is just coarse enough to not block the water flow and keep the fry from being sucked up into the filter.
Received the product quickly