Filter media alternatives

[Tyler2012]

I was designing a filter earlier today and was thinking of different filter Media alternatives and made a little list:
1/2" thick cut up pieces of PVC
Pot scrubbies
Gravel
Pillow stuffing
Sponges
Cut up straws

If anyone has any other ideas just post your idea. Have a nice day.



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[markado]

You should put what fishes are you keeping and how big your tank or pond is as well as what kind of filter your going to be using.

 

[kingofthejungle]

you can use lava rock. i hear its been used forever (one of the first bio-medias). i've been thinking about experimenting with making my own media similar to the diy live rock for saltwater http://aquaticnorcal.forumotion.com/t85-diy-live-rock-rule you get the idea. ive heard of people using all kinds of weird stuff like the little green toy army men, pvc pipe shavings, bean bag chair stuffing. but you would be risking the health of your stock if the media leached chemicals off which may even prevent/negate any bio activity at all.

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

I'm using Carib Sea African cichlid gravel shell mix substrate in two 5 gallon buckets in my sump. I flow through 7" filter socks then upflow through the gravel. I used this to buffer my ph that comes out the tap around 5. For now it keeps the ph at 7.4. I also have another 5 gallons of Laguna bio media in mesh bags laying in my 100 gallon rubbermaid sump.
One of these days I will make a thread with pics of it all.