best thing for mechanical filtration?

[nero6370]

This stuff works great; I replaced the sponge inserts in my ac's and use it in my wet/drys. It cuts fairly easy with a sharp pair of scissors; 2 layers will equal the size of a sponge from a ac 110. They can be found in the fabric dept at wal mart. The water flow imho is a lot better than even a new sponge.

 

[awdawg]

not trying to scare ya, but isn't mildew resistant and flame retardant what they say to avoid putting in your filters?

 

[AnDr3w]

Eheim filter if ya got tha $$$

 

[Dr Joe]

This stuff works great; I replaced the sponge inserts in my ac's and use it in my wet/drys. It cuts fairly easy with a sharp pair of scissors; 2 layers will equal the size of a sponge from a ac 110. They can be found in the fabric dept at wal mart. The water flow imho is a lot better than even a new sponge.

.

not trying to scare ya, but isn't mildew resistant and flame retardant what they say to avoid putting in your filters?

YES! But it's hard to see when it's hidden like that...

What are ya gonna do...Ya raise-'em, send 'em off to good schools and all they do is eat the books!



Dr Joe

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[iORi]

arrow, i already have my wet/dry set up, so all i have left is to buy filter pads and get water in there to cycle.. i dunno when that will be though cuz i gotta sell a piano that we never use so i can move the tank in haha

i was actually thinking of poly-fill for the mech pads, but wasn't sure if it was a good material. sponges or poly-fill.. hmmm

 

[Dr Joe]

Is it an upright piano? could make a good fluidised filter with some sealer and you wouldn't have to hide it...

I thought I had problems with moving a table...

Dr Joe

.

 

[iORi]

ha.. clever... i think
but yea that upright needs to go. its a waste of space and a good excuse for a fish tank

 

[StiffMeister]

for mech filtration i would get some nice internal filters. Doesnt have to be expensive, i use resuns up to $25,-. They work like a charm if you clean them once a week. Ive replaced the bioballs with regular filter foam.

 

[nero6370]

not trying to scare ya, but isn't mildew resistant and flame retardant what they say to avoid putting in your filters?

I did give that some thought, but when I read that it was non-allergenic I knew that it would'nt contain anything harmful and was safe enough to use for a child's pillow. Therefore, I felt comfortable enough to use in my filters. Plus I rinsed them thoroughly in tank water and baking soda, just to be extra safe. They have been in use now for over a month and no probs whatsoever!!

 

[Buc_Nasty]

I agree with WildFlya that sponges are the best. I have an eheim 2260 modded to be a 2262 on my 125 gallon moderately stocked and moderately planted

this site: http://www.swisstropicals.com/Poret Filter Foam.html
is expensive but you will never have to replace the sponges and they are beyond fantastic. They're really good mechanical AND biological filtration, super easy to clean, and last forever.
I got two big sponge pads, one 10ppi and one 30ppi, and cut them to fit perfectly in my filter. My media from top to bottom is the ehfimech, these two sponges (about 1.5 inches thick each), a lot of ehfisubstratpro, and 2 bags seachem purigen.
None of this media has to be replaced ever (they say replace substratpro but I don't) and after 2 months without a water change or filter rinse, my tank has levels of zero or close to it of the important chemicals, and is CRYSTAL clear. (usually i change water every week but i went 3 months once to see how much of a beast my filter was. Plants didnt like it)

Usually I only clean the filter after 3 months tho, and even then bacteria has broken down everything and there is not much debris to rinse out. Maybe a little in the mech and sponges but debris doesnt even reach the substratpro usually.
If you're willing to spend a lot on media at the beginning it will save you a lot of $$ and maintenance in the long run and the tank looks fantastic. I got my tank, custom wood stand, and 2262 with mech and substrat for $300 total on craigslist so i spent extra on the media.