As you all probably know i'm a big fan of foam filters. they are cheap and easy and VERY effective. lots of benefits, very little downside.
these are the filters i normally use: Aquarium Sponge filter; ATI Hydrosponge filters and replacements sponges.
the weights in the bottom, while not very heavy are safely encased in very well sealed plastic.
but, the other day i was out of foam filters, i needed to get a tank set up quickly and the only foam filters i could put my hands on were a brand name JEBO from a LFS that i go to often.
then because i was out and i still needed at least one more foam filter for this tank i ordered some that looked very similar but no name brand, just i'm guessing chinese writing on the box, on ebay. here are the ones i bought:Sponge Filter Discus,killi,betta,guppy, fry fish,etc(L) - eBay (item 360074097970 end time Jul-27-08 20:37:26 PDT)
when they arrived one of the filters was broken and i found metal disks in the base. i don't know what type of metal it is and i do NOT put any type of metal in my aquariums. so i checked out the other filter (i bought 2), and the base was intact, but it wasn't completely sealed.
i'm afraid to put these filters in my tanks and now i'm questioning even the JEBO because it is very similar and the base is the same, except that it seems to be sealed better.
i also found another guy that says he sells foam filters than his friend, a breeder, invented. and i asked him what the weighted base is made of and he said "lead, and it's not encased in anything". so i said "thank you" and didn't buy any of those. unfortunately i can't find his auction to show you.
just so ya all know.. be very careful of what your foam filters are made of.
these are the filters i normally use: Aquarium Sponge filter; ATI Hydrosponge filters and replacements sponges.
the weights in the bottom, while not very heavy are safely encased in very well sealed plastic.
but, the other day i was out of foam filters, i needed to get a tank set up quickly and the only foam filters i could put my hands on were a brand name JEBO from a LFS that i go to often.
then because i was out and i still needed at least one more foam filter for this tank i ordered some that looked very similar but no name brand, just i'm guessing chinese writing on the box, on ebay. here are the ones i bought:Sponge Filter Discus,killi,betta,guppy, fry fish,etc(L) - eBay (item 360074097970 end time Jul-27-08 20:37:26 PDT)
when they arrived one of the filters was broken and i found metal disks in the base. i don't know what type of metal it is and i do NOT put any type of metal in my aquariums. so i checked out the other filter (i bought 2), and the base was intact, but it wasn't completely sealed.
i'm afraid to put these filters in my tanks and now i'm questioning even the JEBO because it is very similar and the base is the same, except that it seems to be sealed better.
i also found another guy that says he sells foam filters than his friend, a breeder, invented. and i asked him what the weighted base is made of and he said "lead, and it's not encased in anything". so i said "thank you" and didn't buy any of those. unfortunately i can't find his auction to show you.
just so ya all know.. be very careful of what your foam filters are made of.
