Jack Heller says that if you’re handy, you can fairly easily make a supply of foam filters for your tanks.
You’ll need:
· Foam rubber for the filter (from a fabric or auto parts store, or leftover packing material)
· 3/4″ PVC pipe for the stem
· 6″ Ceramic tiles for weight
· Silicon sealant
Directions:
1. Cut 5-6″ squares from foam rubber. Cut a slot or core in the center of each piece (for the stem)
2. Cut a 9″ length of PVC pipe for the stem. Drill several small holes in it, up to 4″ from the bottom. Drill two additional holes (large enough to accommodate an air hose), one at 5″ and one at 7-8.”
3. Fit airline tubing into the stem (to about 1″ from the bottom), and then fit the stem into the sponge.
4. Attach the sponge block/stem to a ceramic tile with sealant, making sure it is sealed all the way around.
5. Cure for 24 hours
To use: Attach the airline to an air source.Wet the sponge, inoculate it with dark water from an existing sponge filter, and use.
To clean: rinse in tank water as with any sponge filter.
– G.C.K.A. Newsletter, October 1999