Prefilter for Fluval 404?

[Harry Muscle]

I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't decide if I
should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the pros and
cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any prefilters
that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one that
atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?

Thanks,
Harry




-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

[Harry Muscle]

"Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
...
> I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't decide if I
> should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the pros and
> cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any prefilters
> that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one that
> atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?
>
> Thanks,
> Harry
>

Oops, that last sentence should read: "Or maybe one that attaches to 1/2" or
3/4" PVC pipe".

Thanks again,
Harry




-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

[Josh Mills]

In article >, fake@AT says...
> "Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't decide if I
> > should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the pros and
> > cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any prefilters
> > that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one that
> > atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Harry
> >
>
> Oops, that last sentence should read: "Or maybe one that attaches to 1/2" or
> 3/4" PVC pipe".
>
> Thanks again,
> Harry
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
>
I don't know the size of the fluval intake tube, but you might be able
to use the eheim prefilter. As for the pros and cons, the advantage of
using a prefilter is that it keeeps most of the debris from clogging
your filter media, as for the con's I can't think of any other than it's
kinda ugly visually. BTW it's important to rinse out your prefilter at
least every other day. I use the eheim with my 2215 canister filter, and
I love it, very easy to clean, just lift out the part holding the
prefilter element and rinse. The actual prefilter element looks just
like a plastic pot scrubber, the kind that look like they're woven out
of fishing line. Or if you want to go cheap and easy get an aqua clear
sponge and cut a hole in it so you can slip it over your intake. I heard
that if you get the sponge wet, and then freeze it you can actually
drill a hole in it with a power drill.

Josh

[NetMax]

"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
> In article >, fake@AT says...
> > "Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't
decide if I
> > > should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the
pros and
> > > cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any
prefilters
> > > that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one
that
> > > atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Harry
> > >
> >
> > Oops, that last sentence should read: "Or maybe one that attaches to
1/2" or
> > 3/4" PVC pipe".
> >
> > Thanks again,
> > Harry
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> > http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> > -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
> >
> I don't know the size of the fluval intake tube, but you might be able
> to use the eheim prefilter. As for the pros and cons, the advantage of
> using a prefilter is that it keeeps most of the debris from clogging
> your filter media, as for the con's I can't think of any other than
it's
> kinda ugly visually. BTW it's important to rinse out your prefilter at
> least every other day. I use the eheim with my 2215 canister filter,
and
> I love it, very easy to clean, just lift out the part holding the
> prefilter element and rinse. The actual prefilter element looks just
> like a plastic pot scrubber, the kind that look like they're woven out
> of fishing line. Or if you want to go cheap and easy get an aqua clear
> sponge and cut a hole in it so you can slip it over your intake. I
heard
> that if you get the sponge wet, and then freeze it you can actually
> drill a hole in it with a power drill.
>
> Josh

Man oh man, I don't get prefilters. They just don't make sense to me. I
know the water benefits from being able to remove solid wastes as early
as possible, but the hassle does not seem to be worth the effort (do
water changes). If you want to clean your filter often, get a
powerfilter. If you want the maintenance-free lifestyle of the rich &
famous ;~) put in a canister, kick back and relax. Putting a prefilter
muzzles your canister and gives you work every 2 or 3 days. Sheesh, I
must hate maintenance a lot more than some people.

The only place a prefilter makes a little sense is in heavily planted
tanks when a rate of decay causes the filter strainer to clog prematurely
with dead plant matter. Solutions are to prune your plants more often,
keep em growing better, position the intake away from the plants,
position some rock work ahead of the strainer, or make a prefilter, but
if I made one, it would be more like a wide strainer with a grill so you
could scrape the plant matter off periodically, roll it into a bundle and
remove it by hand. I hate the idea of a tacky looking sponge hanging off
the intake pipe of an expensive canister filter. Sorry Josh, I'm just
not a prefilter type guy. I'm sure it works for people better than me.

If you really want to be devious 'enter NetMax's dept of deviousness for
the lazy', stick a small UGF plate directly under the intake pipe (like
those little ones they sell for fishbowls, or tiny tanks). Push the
plate into the substrate (leaving a gap under the plate for water
circulation), or put it directly on the glass bottom. Extend your
canister intake pipe down to meet the UGF riser pipe. Now take a few
beach pebbles (1" in diameter) to hide your UGF plate. Now buy a silk or
plastic plant and wedge the base between the river stones, and wrap the
leaves around the UGF riser and canister filter intake pipe. Clean the
strainer? what strainer? You won't even see the intake pipe. Taa daa
:o) Charles, another cognac please ;~)

NetMax

[Josh Mills]

In article >,
says...

Net Max, I know you have many tanks, or at least that's the impression I
get, so I can understand where you're coming from. I have only two tanks
(55gal, 10 gal quarantine), so it takes me only maybe 2 minutes 3-4
times a week for the upkeep of my prefilter. I like to to mess around
with my tanks, so it gives me something else to mess with:-). I saved
the stock intake strainer that came with my filter, so if I do tire of
messing with the prefilter I can get rid of it.

Josh

[Rick]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Josh Mills" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > In article >, fake@AT says...
> > > "Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't
> decide if I
> > > > should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the
> pros and
> > > > cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any
> prefilters
> > > > that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one
> that
> > > > atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Harry
> > > >
> > >
> > > Oops, that last sentence should read: "Or maybe one that attaches to
> 1/2" or
> > > 3/4" PVC pipe".
> > >
> > > Thanks again,
> > > Harry
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> > > http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> > > -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
> > >
> > I don't know the size of the fluval intake tube, but you might be able
> > to use the eheim prefilter. As for the pros and cons, the advantage of
> > using a prefilter is that it keeeps most of the debris from clogging
> > your filter media, as for the con's I can't think of any other than
> it's
> > kinda ugly visually. BTW it's important to rinse out your prefilter at
> > least every other day. I use the eheim with my 2215 canister filter,
> and
> > I love it, very easy to clean, just lift out the part holding the
> > prefilter element and rinse. The actual prefilter element looks just
> > like a plastic pot scrubber, the kind that look like they're woven out
> > of fishing line. Or if you want to go cheap and easy get an aqua clear
> > sponge and cut a hole in it so you can slip it over your intake. I
> heard
> > that if you get the sponge wet, and then freeze it you can actually
> > drill a hole in it with a power drill.
> >
> > Josh
>
> Man oh man, I don't get prefilters. They just don't make sense to me. I
> know the water benefits from being able to remove solid wastes as early
> as possible, but the hassle does not seem to be worth the effort (do
> water changes). If you want to clean your filter often, get a
> powerfilter. If you want the maintenance-free lifestyle of the rich &
> famous ;~) put in a canister, kick back and relax. Putting a prefilter
> muzzles your canister and gives you work every 2 or 3 days. Sheesh, I
> must hate maintenance a lot more than some people.
>
> The only place a prefilter makes a little sense is in heavily planted
> tanks when a rate of decay causes the filter strainer to clog prematurely
> with dead plant matter. Solutions are to prune your plants more often,
> keep em growing better, position the intake away from the plants,
> position some rock work ahead of the strainer, or make a prefilter, but
> if I made one, it would be more like a wide strainer with a grill so you
> could scrape the plant matter off periodically, roll it into a bundle and
> remove it by hand. I hate the idea of a tacky looking sponge hanging off
> the intake pipe of an expensive canister filter. Sorry Josh, I'm just
> not a prefilter type guy. I'm sure it works for people better than me.
>
> If you really want to be devious 'enter NetMax's dept of deviousness for
> the lazy', stick a small UGF plate directly under the intake pipe (like
> those little ones they sell for fishbowls, or tiny tanks). Push the
> plate into the substrate (leaving a gap under the plate for water
> circulation), or put it directly on the glass bottom. Extend your
> canister intake pipe down to meet the UGF riser pipe. Now take a few
> beach pebbles (1" in diameter) to hide your UGF plate. Now buy a silk or
> plastic plant and wedge the base between the river stones, and wrap the
> leaves around the UGF riser and canister filter intake pipe. Clean the
> strainer? what strainer? You won't even see the intake pipe. Taa daa
> :o) Charles, another cognac please ;~)
>
> NetMax
>
>

at one time I had prefilters on just about all my tanks which consisted of
Aqua Clear sponges cut out to fit over the intake tube. What a pain in the
a**. Now I have one in my 77g planted tank over my Fluval and it is still a
pain but unfortunately required due to the amount of plant material.

Rick

[Bob Alston]

I use one on my fluval and one on my eheim. Like both of them. ON the
eheim, I use a prefilter from eheim which is like a sock that goes over the
strainer. It is a part labeled for their wet/dry filter but works well for
me. I clean it weekly at the same time I do a 50% water change.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=EH2615270&ast=

For my fluval I use a FilterMax III prefilter. I like it the best. It
replaces the strainer.
http://www.aquacave.com/Filter%20Max%20Prefilters.htm

--
Bob Alston

bobalston9 AT aol DOT com
"Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
...
> I'm setting up a 55G planted tank with a Fluval 404. I can't decide if I
> should get a prefilter for the intake tube or not? What are the pros and
> cons of having a prefilter? If it's a good idea, know of any prefilters
> that easily attach to the Fluval 404 intake tube? Or maybe one that
> atta o 1/2 or 3/4 PVC tubing?
>
> Thanks,
> Harry
>
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.654 / Virus Database: 419 - Release Date: 4/6/2004