If you dislike sponge filters, , then you can use just about any other filter wether it is a canister filter or HOB filter But you know rule number one about filters and shrimp, sponge on the intake! Remember to get a little stronger capacity filter as the sponge will slow down the filter a great deal.
What kind of powerheads are they? I use Aquaclear powerheads with quickfilter attachments in several of my fish aquariums. The cartridge that was supplied with the housing is handy for clearing the water after a thorough cleaning has stirred up debris, but I usually run them with some blue&white pond filter media wrapped around the plastic core. It collects debris, but doesn't clog as fast as the inserts that come with the quickfilter attachmnet. The arrangement provides more surface area for bacteria, as well as distributing the intake suction over a much larger area, certainly nothing the shrimp couldn't handle. Overall, the surface area of the filter media is close to a similar-sized sponge filter.
One is a Maxi-Jet 600. The other is a Maxi-Jet 1200. I have a smaller one in another tank if these won't work.
I was thinking about a HOB, but decided I want as tightly sealed tank as possible. So I am looking at a few different cannister filters.
ToddnBecka: So you're saying powerheards can be used instead of or in place of a sponge filter if set up properly? As long as there is water movement and something for the bacteria to grow on?
Yes, the maxi-jet have a reverse-flow kit available, with a sponge prefilter. It's something like the quickfilter arrangement, but uses a sponge rather than a layered filter cartridge. You can also use a powerhead to run a sponge filter, I have one set up that way too. The hydro-sponge has a plastic base, with a 2-piece strainer body that is easy to attach a powerhead to. I used a short piece of UG filter lift tube on top of the hydro-sponge, and softened the end of the tube with heat to fit it tightly into the powerhead intake.
I have the Hydro sponge filters, and I only use them when I absolutely have to. I find them aesthetically unappealing and difficult to hide. Keep in mind that all of my tanks are display or "show" tanks, so I want the tank to look good while providing a decent home for the shrimp.
What about using a Hydro sponge as a prefilter? I saw what you described, TnB, that the Maxi-Jet prefilters are a simple cylinder-shaped sponge.
I couldn't find anything through an internet search for the Maxi-Jet reverse flow kit, just the prefilter.
Hmm, it may have been the penguin brand rather than the maxi-jet, in any case it's just a sponge prefilter with an outlet attachment to adapt the pump to the UG lift tube to pump water down, rather than up. The sponge prefilter is the critical element if you don't use an UG filter. The aquaclear setup is a black plastic housing, with a 2-piece core to keep the filter media from collapsing. I hide all mine behind rocks or artificial plants, so the pumps and filters aren't visible. Even the sponge filter in the 10 gallon cherry shrimp tank is buried behind java mosss, only the outlet tube is visible.
I hide all mine behind rocks or artificial plants, so the pumps and filters aren't visible. Even the sponge filter in the 10 gallon cherry shrimp tank is buried behind java mosss, only the outlet tube is visible.
Good tip ToddnBecka, I will try this with my tanks soon. Do the plants slow down the flow of the sponge filter?
I picked up the 30 gallon long tank yesterday. I didn't realize it at the time or purchase (his fish room was dim), but the seals are green. I'm assuming that Malachite Green had been used in the tank before. I am emailing him after I post this. Will this tank be safe to use for shrimp?
It is a simple matter to replace the silicone and is probably always a good idea with a used tank.
Simply scrape out the old with a razor blade and replace with aquarium safe silicone caulk. You can buy the silicone in fish stores specially labeled as aquarium safe. I even believe I saw stuff specially labeled for aquariums at those giant home improvement stores.
I have aquarium silicone on hand, but I have never replaced the seals on a tank. This won't make the tank fall apart? Or do you just scrape off the edges of the seal?
The tank won't fall apart because the frame will still be there. And there will still be silicone that you cannot get to that glues the glass pieces together. All you will be doing is creating a new stronger seal.
You just about can't mess it up. If you or someone you know has just a bit of experience using caulk, it will come out great.
You certainly don't have to do it, but it is a good way to ensure that a used tank is going to be reliable because you know that it has a new seal.
Right now I have an older used 75 gallon tank that I am considering tearing down and resealing. When I get my next large tank, I will do this to ensure that this older tank continues to be perform well for me.
I have found a stand on an auction site for cheap, but when I get it, I'll have to repaint and waterproof it.
I haven't used gravel in a long time, but how many pounds per gallon? I have about 12 pounds left over.
I'd like to use something like slate "flakes" to go on top of the black gravel with some nice chunks of similar boulder-shaped rocks for the Singapore shrimp to hang out on. OR, I think slate red colored "mini-boulders" would look good for the aquascape. Any rock-like material would be inert for this tank.
, then you can use just about any other filter wether it is a canister filter or HOB filter 
But you know rule number one about filters and shrimp, sponge on the intake! Remember to get a little stronger capacity filter as the sponge will slow down the filter a great deal.
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