Description:
A filter intake sponge known as a pre filter sponge fits over the intake pipe of your filter and acts as a pre-filter, catching debris, detritus, and fine particles before they enter the filter body.
This does two things: it reduces the amount of waste your mechanical filter media has to process, reducing the amount of debris reaching the main filter media and potentially reducing how frequently it needs to be cleaned and protects shrimp, fish fry, and small juvenile fish from being drawn up into the intake.
Unlike an intake guard, which stops livestock from entering the intake but does no filtering, an intake sponge actively pre-filters the water as it passes through. Over time the sponge also builds up a colony of beneficial bacteria, adding a small but useful biological filtration element right at the point of intake.
This size suits 10mm (1cm) intake pipes.
Pack of 10.
Check your filter's intake pipe diameter before ordering to ensure the correct fit. Also available in a large size for 20mm intakes.
Suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums, canister filters, HOB filters, shrimp tanks and breeding setups.
Product Features:
- Filter intake sponges are ideal for preventing fry, shrimp and small fish from being sucked into the filter, providing an added layer of protection in breeding setups.
- Filter sponges also act as a pre-filter, trapping large particles so they don't clog your filter.
Product Specifications:
- Colour: Black
- Size: 6cm long x 3.5cm wide.
- Hole size: 1cm wide
Items Included:
- 10 x Small Filter Intake Sponge
Filter Intake Sponges - Small - 10PCS
Filter Intake Sponges - Small - 10PCS
Low stock: 5 left
Everything about shipping, specifications and warranties is just below.
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
✅ Quality Products - Reliable aquarium supplies for your setup.
🚚 Standard Shipping ($11.95 - $19.95) - Safe & reliable delivery, arrives within 3-10 business days. Shipping cost: $11.95 small orders, $14.95 medium orders, $16.95 large orders, $19.95 bulk orders.
🛡️ Warranty Support - Most eligible equipment and accessories are backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty, with claims handled through us.
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Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
💡 Unsure which product is right for your tank? Visit our Education section or Blogs for help choosing the best equipment.
🐟 Beginners can start with: How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenance & Care for ongoing tank tips!
🌿 Not all products are suitable for every tank size - Double-check dimensions and specifications before purchasing.
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How the Pre-Filter Sponge Compares
🧽 Filter Intake Pre-Filter Sponge
- 🛡️Protects Small Livestock: The sponge helps prevent shrimp, fry and small juvenile fish from being drawn directly into the filter intake.
- 🧹Traps Debris Before the Filter: Captures larger debris, detritus and fine particles before they reach the main filter body.
- 🔧Reduces Mechanical Filter Load: Pre-filtering debris at the intake can reduce the amount of larger waste reaching the filter's primary mechanical media.
- 🦠Provides Additional Biological Surface: The sponge can become colonised by beneficial bacteria, providing an additional biological filtration surface.
- 💧Filters While Protecting the Intake: Combines livestock protection with active mechanical pre-filtration in one simple attachment.
🛡️ Basic Intake Guard
- 🛡️Protects Livestock: A guard helps prevent larger livestock from entering the filter intake.
- 💧Allows Water Through: Openings allow aquarium water to enter the filter while keeping larger objects away from the intake.
- 🧹Limited Particle Filtration: Larger openings allow many smaller particles and fine debris to pass through into the filter.
- 🦠Little Additional Bio Surface: A basic guard does not provide the same sponge surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise.
- 🔧Primarily an Intake Barrier: Designed mainly to protect the intake rather than provide an additional stage of mechanical filtration.
A simple, inexpensive upgrade that extends the life of your filter media and adds a layer of protection for small livestock. Particularly useful for shrimp keepers and breeders who want the pre-filtering benefit alongside the physical protection of keeping small creatures away from the intake.
Rinse intake sponges in old tank water periodically to remove accumulated debris and restore flow. Never rinse in tap water as chlorine will harm the beneficial bacteria that build up on the sponge over time. Replace when the sponge begins to break down or can no longer be cleaned effectively.
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