Sponge filter problem?

[PredatorPiqued]

I just got 2 aqua clear 110's
And I bought 2 sponge filters to cover the intake tubes to prevent anything getting inside the internals. How ever I find that almost everyday I'm having to take them off and squeeze them out because its bringing the flow to almost a trickle.
Any DIY improvisions for this? Or do I just deal with it lol

 

[tlindsey]

I just got 2 aqua clear 110's
And I bought 2 sponge filters to cover the intake tubes to prevent anything getting inside the internals. How ever I find that almost everyday I'm having to take them off and squeeze them out because its bringing the flow to almost a trickle.
Any DIY improvisions for this? Or do I just deal with it lol

You can replace longer intake tubes with shorter ones but you may have more to vacuum off the bottom each week. I use a prefilter sponge in a couple of my smaller setups and I experience what you are experiencing.

 

[duanes]

I also find the need to rinse my sponges every day, and find that cleaning of the sponge, to be a part of normal of proper aquarium maintenance.
And it is a good thing for the tanks overall health.
By rinsing out that stuff, you are getting it out of the water column before it has a chance to break down into excess nitrate, and other unwanted substances.
Allowing detritus to sit in a filter for days or a week, (or a month as canisters usually end up) without cleaning, turns a filter into a nitrate factory, simply spewing unwanted nutrients back into the tank.
Detritus being sequestered in a filter, does not mean it is not out of a tank, although it looks aethetically nice, it just means invisible pollutants keep recirculating over and over.

 

[PredatorPiqued]

I also find the need to rinse my sponges every day, and find that cleaning of the sponge, to be a part of normal of proper aquarium maintenance.
And it is a good thing for the tanks overall health.
By rinsing out that stuff, you are getting it out of the water column before it has a chance to break down into excess nitrate, and other unwanted substances.
Allowing detritus to sit in a filter for days or a week, (or a month as canisters usually end up) without cleaning, turns a filter into a nitrate factory, simply spewing unwanted nutrients back into the tank.
Detritus being sequestered in a filter, does not mean it is not out of a tank, although it looks aethetically nice, it just means invisible pollutants keep recirculating over and over.

Ahh yes, that puts it into better perspective for me, thank you. Even more reason to be with my tank ??