Adding a filter to a water pump

[Buck Rogers]

Hi guys and gals

I am working on my new set-up for the Fire Bellied Toads, the set-up will have a water feature which will cascade down some slate stones. My question is how can I filter the water, because the filters that I have found can't be used as water pumps for features, because they don't have enough power to pump water, and they need to be in water that is too deep (keeping in mind that I will have water for the Fire Bellied Toads at between 2 - 3 inches deep only. If I connect a foam filter sponge just at the end of the water pump is this enough, or is there some other trick that you guys have been using to filter the water.

I will be adding either a fresh water snail or 2 small tetras to help clean up excess waste - which I've used in the past with some great success but I am looking for some alternative options that could work nicely for this sort of setup.

Thank you in advance.

[deranged chipmunk]

sorry, just saw this. you can cut a small piece of poret foam to cover the pump intake. it's also knows as pond foam. no, not the expanding stuff. that will give you, at the very least, a little extra mechanical filtration.

[Buck Rogers]

Thank you so much for the feedback on that, really appreciated. How do I wrap it around and secure it, with cable ties? DO you have some sort of visual point of reference?

[deranged chipmunk]

You could use cable ties. I've never done it, but i have wrapped a water feature pump with landscaping fabric to prevent clogging, so the principals involved would be the same. Just refrain from using rubber bands. They will eventually rot and fall off.

[HerpDerp]

I will be adding either a fresh water snail or 2 small tetras to help clean up excess waste - which I've used in the past with some great success but I am looking for some alternative options that could work nicely for this sort of setup.

This all depends on the actual volume of water that will be in the bottom of the tank. It sounds like it's not going to be enough water to put fish into? The fish could potentially just add to the waste in the water (ammonia and nitrates) and make it more difficult to keep clean. I suggest some sort of invert like shrimp. Using live aquatic plants in the bottom would also be a great biological filter. Shrimp and planted tanks are Bill's specialty so I'm sure he'll have more specific suggestions .

[deranged chipmunk]

Wow....nice pickup Michelle, i don't know how i missed that. I wouldn't use shrimp. Even though they are prolific breeders, they wouldn't have a prayer against voracious hunters like fbt's. Even with a planted area to hide in. Plants would definitely add some bio filtration. You could maybe use a pair of the smaller guppies, like endler's live bearers. Otherwise, i would look at micro fish like mosquito fish or chili rasboras to keep the waste at a minimum.

[HerpDerp]

Thanks Bill! Once a fish person, always a fish person . I never thought of the shrimp getting munched on lol. Another good idea is feeder guppies. They can be quite pretty if you hand pick them and are super cheap. I have fallen in love with the ones I keep with my crayfish. And if they do get eaten it's cheap enough to replace them. But you might have to get rid of the babies if they breed enough.

[Buck Rogers]

Guys, thanks so much for the feedback. The water level will be around 3 - 5 inches deep, I was thinking of adding a fresh water snail (have had good results with them) or some small Tetras or Guppies to just clean up any mess in the water (also have had good results with these guys in the past). The water will have a few plants in it, and the land area will have plants as well. My main concern really is the water becoming a bit stale, even though it will be running through a pump, but I think by wrapping it in a filter medium is such a great idea.

[flybyferns]

Hi guys and gals

I am working on my new set-up for the Fire Bellied Toads, the set-up will have a water feature which will cascade down some slate stones. My question is how can I filter the water, because the filters that I have found can't be used as water pumps for features, because they don't have enough power to pump water, and they need to be in water that is too deep (keeping in mind that I will have water for the Fire Bellied Toads at between 2 - 3 inches deep only. If I connect a foam filter sponge just at the end of the water pump is this enough, or is there some other trick that you guys have been using to filter the water.

I will be adding either a fresh water snail or 2 small tetras to help clean up excess waste - which I've used in the past with some great success but I am looking for some alternative options that could work nicely for this sort of setup.

Thank you in advance.

Idea for pumping water and filtering simultaneously : Purchase a little be bigger capacity (able to filter more water ) than you need. Rig tubing ( clear plastic- home depot ) on the output valve, of which will push the water. It will not be really strong but it works. You could also turn the filter on its side if it's too tall it its upright position.

[RabidWombat]

I used a fluval external canister filter on turtle tank. The canister did a great job cleaning the water (this large red-ear slider produced a lot of ****!!) and has a lot of pressure on the output.

These are meant to be under the tank and they have plenty of pressure to supply a water feature. You just run hosing for both your intake and output, with the output dumping the water at the top. The amount of pressure may actually be too much to dump all of it on the water feature. You can easily remedy that with a T value. One output goes to your water feature and one to main pool. Also, partially close off the line going to your water feature until you have the desired pressure. They're a bit pricey, but something similar should do the trick.

If the parts list comes out cheaper I'll probably make one when I'm ready. If that interests you at all here's a link: HOW TO: DIY Canister Filter - YouTube

RW

[Buck Rogers]

Now these are the great ideas I have been looking for! Thank you so much everyone.

One question; will the filter work on its side?

[deranged chipmunk]

Most likely, depends on the pump

[RabidWombat]

I haven't made the DIY one yet. It's on the to-do list of the next two months. I think most of the time these are standing. You get some help with gravity/suction on the intake. I'd think you could lay it on its side, but you may just need a slightly stronger pump.

[deranged chipmunk]

oh ****, my apologies, i missed the post previous to mine. not that canister filters won't work on their side, it is not wise to lay them down. unless you LIKE draining your tank.