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About this item
- Extend filter media and replacement cartridge life while protecting small fish; simply connect to your impeller tube or powerhead to keep larger debris out of a sand filter, UV sterilizer, or protein skimmer.
- Trusted by casual hobbyists and pros alike – whether part of an internal or external power filtration system, the Filter Max is a great introductory point to sponge filters.
- Whisper-quiet and easy to clean – simply rinse and squeeze in used tank water (not tap water!) to maintain nitrogen-fixing bacteria in freshwater or saltwater.
- Soft foam filters across a wide surface area, creating bubbles to reduce protein buildup and increase oxygen. Ideal for low-current breeding, betta, discus, and turtle tanks.
- Fast-cycle a new tank by transferring a filter sponge from old to new. For even more pristine water try our Hydro-Sponge Pro line.
Craig Abernathy –
This is exactly what I was looking for in a generic, one-size-fits-all pre-filter. The sponge is about 5-inches long, 2.5-inches in overall diameter, with sponge walls about 3/4-inch thick. This is a coarse foam meant to block larger particles from getting to the main filter. In the box are enough adapters to fit just about any round intake- see my attached pictures for instructions/diagram. This will NOT fit a square intake. The good news is the sponge assembly is a regular sponge filter, so all the parts could be used with any standard sponge filter. The sponge can be oriented vertically or horizontally depending on tank configuration or intake placement.I am using this on an Aquaclear 110 in a 29-gallon tank, currently housing only one fish… an aggressive female angel. In the AC filter housing is the standard sponge block that came with the filter, a double layer of poly filter floss held down with a custom cut section of light panel diffuser, and then the bag of ceramic bio rings on top. This has been doing a good job of filtering the tank (as could be imagined; easily 10x tank turnover per hour, which was my goal). When I installed the Filter Max, I did not notice any change in the flow output. What I did notice was particles being pulled to the pre-filter and sticking to the sides- Yay! Smaller particles disappear into the foam; some will be trapped, others will pass through. The main purpose is to extend the time between major cleanings of the sponge block at the bottom of the filter, which I want for bio media more than mechanical filtration.So my setup is an estimated 400gph through the new Filter Max, which acts as the primary mechanical filter. The AC sponge block is now a secondary mechanical filter and primary bio filter. My poly filter floss is tertiary mechanical filter and primary water polisher. Finally, the single bag of bio max rings is the secondary bio filter, which I can turn over frequently to allow some contact with the air.To clean the Filter Max, you need to put something over the sponge before removing it, or all of the particulate matter clinging to it will immediately fall off, cloud the tank, and be sucked into the main intake, thereby defeating the benefit of the pre-filter. I recommend a zip-lock style storage bag with the zipper feature. Place the bag in the tank, fill with water, slip it over the pre-filter and zip-close the bag. The intake might start to collapse the bag slightly. At any time, pull the entire filter assembly loose from the first plastic elbow, contain it in the bag, and remove the bag with filter assembly inside from the tank. Clean according to the instructions then re-install the pre-filter.According to the box, this is a USA-made product. I found it to be well designed and well made. The double elbows allow for good placement flexibility and the ability to use other larger sponge filters if desired. I purchased the $25+ dollar Eheim pre-filter for my 2217 and while it is a super high quality product, I think I like the Filter Max better. The sponge material is about the same on both pre-filters. The Eheim obviously has the good looking outer shell, which raises the price. I will probably try the Filter Max on my other 2217 and see which pre-filter I like better in the long run. I can say without hesitation that you couldn’t go wrong with the Filter Max on just about any type of filter with a round intake pipe. I am very pleased with this product.My pictures show (1) the Filter Max mounted directly to the main intake of the Aquaclear without any extension pipes. Note the 29-gallon tank is 18-3/4 inches tall. (2) A closeup of the two elbows and the largest adapter connected to the main intake. (3) I added one intake extension to lower the pre-filter; this puts the bottom of the pre-filter at about the same place as the bottom of two standard intake extensions that come with the Aquaclear. (4) An overall view of the tank with one extension installed- this is my final setup. (5&6) Information and instructions from the box.
Miss Rosalia Hill –
Works as advertised. Thanks to some previous reviews, I was prepared with plumbers tape to ensure a good leak free connection. The adapter tubes that came with it were either to big or too small for my HOB filter (top fin brand) and it is because of this that I gave 4 stars. After wrapping the intake tube of the filter a couple of times with the plumbers tape, I got one of the adapters to fit nice and snug. I read previous reviews stating that the adapter tubes were cracking. No problems with cracking as of now, tubing material seems fine and not flimsy. I will update if it cracks. Other than that great product that is doing exactly what it is intended to do. At the time of the picture there were no shrimp on the sponge but shortly after installation, a couple of my shrimp were already picking food off of the sponge. Prior to this product I was using cheap filter media bags tied around the intake to prevent my shrimplets from being sucked into the filter. Now they are better protected from being sucked into the filter and have a nice grazing surface to boot. Also doesn’t seem’ to affect the flow of the filter at all which is nice. My only regret is that I should have bought the smallest one as the up to 40 gallon one I purchased looks a little bulky in my tank but that is my own fault. Great product. Thank you.
Rhianna Thiel –
The product looks nice and works well for me. Ease of installation.