HOB filter question

[Reel Addiction]

I have a Marineland 350 and want to stuff it with polyfill or filter floss. I have other types of filtration on this tank and could probably do away with both 350's.

That being said I dont need the expensive slide in cartridges that have the carbon. So..... Looking for suggestions.

 

[bitteraspects]

They make a refillable cartridge thing, but it won't hold much media. You're better off selling them and getting something else.

 

[uncwnells]

I agree, you can refill them or buy some filter floss and throw that in there instead.

 

[justonemoretank]

Knee-Hi pantyhose make good, cheap filter bags. use a rubber band to seal them up, so they're even re-usable.

 

[Reel Addiction]

This is what Im going to use or atleast try. They are like 1.50. They have different sizes and you could trim if needed. I may also try some of the other suggestions to see what works best.


Big Al's now offers a high quality foam insert for your filter. Mechanically
filters out unwanted particulate matter and waste from your aquarium, while also providing plenty of room for beneficial bacteria to grow and flourish. For use in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The Big Al's Foam Insert can be used in the Hagen Aquaclear 300 Power Filter.

 

[bitteraspects]

problem is, when you put stuff in the back of the HOB chamber, water flows around it, not through it, so it really isnt serving any purpose.

 

[justonemoretank]

If you fill the chamber completely, I don't know why some water would not flow through it. I mean, if the chamber is completely filled, and the water is still going around the media, it seems like you'd have water spilling over the sides of the HOB as well. This is the same as the media that comes with AC filters. I mean, the water still flows through it, right? Otherwise, the filter isn't any good at all, and we know it is, because half of MFK swears by them.

 

[Reel Addiction]

problem is, when you put stuff in the back of the HOB chamber, water flows around it, not through it, so it really isnt serving any purpose.

Thats why I was asking questions before I bought something, I wasnt sure. But for 1.50 it may be worth a try and I can keep my eye on it to see if it works.

If you fill the chamber completely, I don't know why some water would not flow through it. I mean, if the chamber is completely filled, and the water is still going around the media, it seems like you'd have water spilling over the sides of the HOB as well. This is the same as the media that comes with AC filters. I mean, the water still flows through it, right? Otherwise, the filter isn't any good at all, and we know it is, because half of MFK swears by them.

Yeah I know what you mean, I plan on stuffing it in there and hope the water flows thru and doesnt overflow. Like I posted above for 1.50 its worth a try. I may put the pantyhose in 1 filter and the pads in the other and see what works best.

Thanks for the insight on both ends. Everything helps to find out what works and doesnt. Trial and error play a part also.

I do have other means of filtration on this tank, so I can mess around a bit and not really be hurting anything.

 

[bitteraspects]

actually no. the AC filters are set up like a canister, where the water is forced through the media, while the marineland filters dump water into the chamber and it flows forward through the cartridge. anything behind the cartridges will not be used much (if at all). youre right though maybe the stuff at the top would get "some water" to flow through it (more over than anything), but anything at the bottom will be useless.

if you want to fill the chamber with media, you should get a canister or an AC HOB.

 

[justonemoretank]

LOL I was trying to give him ideas on what to do with the existing filters! This is what we do with old HOBs that we get in craigslist deals and stuff. We don't use carbon at all, so we just fill the thing with media. I think it works.