PIMP your HOB

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by f-fish, Mar 13, 2011.

  1. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    We all know that adding a filter sponge on the intake of the HOB is good for saving fry and reducing the amount of large particles that gets into the pot.

    I was looking at some canisters and concluded that most of them have a pre-filter - some ceramic media (the larger ones do) and then floss or fine filter media to polish the water.

    Went looking for some good mechanical and biological ceramics and found JBL's MicroMec - picture on the box seemed interesting but the odd size had me concerned. Got some and decided that this would be perfect for long term low maintenance addition to some of my HOB filters.

    HOB-pimp2.jpeg

    The nice thing about this batch was the size - larger than the hydroton I used before (had some issues with that getting stuck). I just finished adding this to an Eheim 2042 (I see no point in those supplied small filter pads if you have a prefilter on the intake so they have never been used.)

    HOB-pimp1.jpeg

    I'll let this run for a while and report back - for some of my others (Cascade and aquaclear I add the media into a filer media bag). The Eheim has a funny center pump constructions so just adding the loose media seems to work. Yes you need to be careful if you want to clean the unit - but should happen only every few months I think.


    Have you pimped your HOB ? - please share if you did.

    Later Ferdie

    HOB-pimp2.jpeg

    HOB-pimp1.jpeg
     
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  3. Gert Combrink

    Gert Combrink

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    @f-fish and other HOB fans.
    What do you do when an old Whisper HOB motor burn out?
    Well, the filter is about 30 years old and I could not get spares anywhere, so I cut off the power cord, removed the impeller assy. and fitted a powerhead connected to a large sponge as pre-filter! It's been running for over 2 years, with some sponge and bio-beads. I now collect old HOB for this purpose!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  4. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Interesting Gert I have actually seen that type of configuration commercially - was thinking that it would make an ideal filter for a long tank cause you could then put the powerhead and prefilter on the onside of the tank - run the out of the powerhead to the in of the HOB on the other side of the tank and have a really good full tank circulation.

    Later Ferdie
     
  5. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Did the same to the cascade HOB a week ago ... seems like I am getting some colouring on the ceramic balls - that can only be a good thing.

    HOB-pimp3.jpeg

    A pot full of ceramic media must be better than the little filter pads supplied with originally.

    Later Ferdie

    HOB-pimp3.jpeg
     
  6. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    @f-fish: could you post a pic of your intake sponge?
     
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  7. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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  8. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    Thanks :) My sponge (my 2nd already) isn't quite as porous as yours, and I had to chop it a bit (was 1 big cube) to fit better, but it's filtering better than my first attempt, whcih was just a regular grey replacement sponge. Doesn't look as good, but water flow is much better.
     
  9. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Yeah sponge is a tricky thing ... your request got the better of me .. here is a collection on sponge pics I just took. Note sponge makes a good place for BBA. And I actually do not mind.

    HOB-pimp5.jpg
    HMF but powered by an HOB

    HOB-pimp6.jpg
    10 ppi - filter on the canister intake
    HOB-pimp7.jpg
    This sponge must be over a year filtering - gets rinsed every 3 months or so.
    HOB-pimp8.jpg
    Another old sponge ... direct sunlight helps for a good algae pad. HOB is a cascade.
    HOB-pimp9.jpeg
    This is a cut in half aquaclear sponge on a aquaclear HOB .. hmm time to go and remove some algae ... maybe in a few months.


    Think that is about it other than the other HMFs

    Later Ferdie

    HOB-pimp5.jpg

    HOB-pimp6.jpg

    HOB-pimp7.jpg

    HOB-pimp8.jpg

    HOB-pimp9.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2011
  10. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    Thanks for those pics! I always need something visually to confirm whether I'm "doing it right" :)

    Here's mine (from a distance):

    filtersponge.jpg

    filtersponge.jpg
     
  11. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Thinks you have the right plan - that sponge looks rather fine .. you sure it is open cell? I typically inset a long bladed knife 3/4 the way into the sponge - extract turn the knife 90 degrees and repeat. I then insert my finger and forcefully make if bigger the pipes bottom is only 1/2 way down.

    A very fine sponge will clog way to fast. ...

    Your local LFS should stock aquaclear 70 foam .. probably R80 but if will last you many years.

    Keep the pics coming ...

    later Ferdie
     
  12. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    It is rather fine. Got it at my LFS. The cells are slightly larger than the other sponge I had in. I've just ordered the Aquaclear 110 foam though, so I'll post pics of that once I've got it installed :)
     
  13. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Nice - just remember that is 20 working days :-(
     
  14. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    Yep. I'll be patient ;-)
     
  15. rudig

    rudig

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    Where did you guys get your large foam from?
     
  16. OP
    f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Hi Rudig, probably not the answer you want ...

    @Altum supplied some, Prof had some from way back, the rest I ordered from a German site when the R/$ was way better than now.


    Later Ferdie
     
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  17. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

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    I ordered mine through Wantitall I think.
     
  18. Singularity

    Singularity

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    Dont need to order, you can get some here http://www.jmp.co.za/ (they supply a whole range of sponge and rubbers) and they are in Robertsham JHB.
     
  19. jpvd007

    jpvd007 Retired Moderator

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    What is the sponge called on there web site as they don't have any pics of there products?
     
  20. jpvd007

    jpvd007 Retired Moderator

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    Im looking for the coarse blue one that @f-fish has in his pics above?
     
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  21. Singularity

    Singularity

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    give them a call and explain what you are looking for.
     

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