{"product_id":"fluval-ac20-30-50-intake-strainer-sponge","title":"Fluval AC20\/30\/50 Intake Strainer Sponge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFluval AquaClear Intake Strainer Sponge\u003c\/strong\u003e slips over the intake of your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-aquaclear-ac-series-aquarium-filters\"\u003eAquaClear (AC) power filter\u003c\/a\u003e and does two jobs at once. It stops small fish, shrimp, and fry from being pulled into the filter, and it acts as a pre-filter that traps waste and debris before they reach the main media. The porous foam also grows beneficial bacteria, adding extra biological filtration. It fits the AC20, AC30, and AC50 filters and works in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a must-have for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eshrimp\u003c\/a\u003e tanks, fry-rearing, and nano setups. Pair it with fresh \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac50-biofoam-filter-insert\"\u003eBioFoam\u003c\/a\u003e inside the filter, and find more media in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\"\u003eFilter Media \u0026amp; Cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtects small fish, shrimp, and fry from being drawn into the filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-filters waste and debris before it reaches the main media\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePorous foam adds biological surface area for beneficial bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlips right over the AquaClear intake strainer, no tools needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFits AquaClear 20, 30, and 50 power filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReusable: rinse in tank water and reinstall; works in fresh and saltwater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlide the sponge over the intake strainer at the bottom of the AquaClear filter tube until it seats snugly. Because it is the first thing the water passes through, it collects debris quickly, so give it a squeeze in used aquarium water whenever flow starts to slow. Rinse it in tank water rather than tap water so you keep the beneficial bacteria alive, and replace it only when the foam wears out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eProduct\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAquaClear Intake Strainer Sponge (pre-filter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFunction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePre-filtration, biological surface area, and fish\/shrimp guard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAquaClear 20, 30, and 50 \/ Fluval AC20, AC30, AC50 filters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eReusable foam sponge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWater type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f6f6f6;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFluval\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-aquaclear-ac-series-aquarium-filters\"\u003eAquaClear \/ Fluval AC20-AC50 power filters\u003c\/a\u003e, the filters this sponge fits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac50-biofoam-filter-insert\"\u003eAquaClear AC50 BioFoam\u003c\/a\u003e and other replacement media for inside the filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eFreshwater invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e, the shrimp and snails this sponge helps protect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\"\u003eFilter Media \u0026amp; Cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e, all replacement media in one place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich filters does this fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e The AquaClear 20, 30, and 50 (also sold as the Fluval AC20, AC30, and AC50).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need this for a shrimp tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is highly recommended. The sponge keeps shrimp and shrimplets from being sucked into the filter while still letting it run at full flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it reduce my filter's flow?\u003c\/strong\u003e Only slightly, and only if it clogs. Rinse it regularly and the filter keeps its normal flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in saltwater?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The foam works as a pre-filter and biological surface in freshwater and marine tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48927191531739,"sku":"19684","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_a9d241f0-3707-49a3-b1bf-5a3247810146.jpg?v=1782920864","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac20-30-50-intake-strainer-sponge","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}