Home-made filtration media?

[Pandamania]

Angler is correct. This is what I use all the time. I use the thinnest batting available, 'light weight'. I use it in my smaller tanks with the whisper filters. I have lost some of the clips to hold the top of the filter material to the green frame, but then I just use a rubber band to hold it together. Also, have been using *JK47s' idea. I put a bunch of plants behind the white filter, and don't use any carbon at all. Going on 3 weeks now, all param's are great! You should maybe try it ! ?

 

[th3champish3r3]

Instead of the white bio beads, I chop up lava rocks meant to use in a bbq.

 

[MartinBoy]

I recently had some cut up sponge that you buy at Home Depot, the large one you would use for tile grout, covering my inlet's on my 55g and the water is cleaner than I have ever seen it. I don't think the sponge will hold up long term and looks like crap but am thinking about adding something more long term because it works so well. I found this good article on DIY sponge filter.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_spongefilter.php

 

[honda237]

Don't have to change the sponge? My problem was the sponge would get so clogged that it would push the carbon and the ceramic rings up out of the water.
Although I guess that's just because goldfish are such a mess! Maybe with less messy fish, the sponge wouldn't get as clogged so quickly.

i don't think its because its clogged, i just don't there is enough weight to hold it down, i've had new sponges do that to me. I've mine go from sponge to filter floss, to bio-chemsorb, to some ceramic rings. I normally cut filter material that i buy bulk from ebay, and big als.

 

[EastBay]

Instead of the white bio beads, I chop up lava rocks meant to use in a bbq.

That's what I'm using in my sump for 90g CA tank. Never thought about using in a HOB filter, however.
Good idea!

 

[ScatMan]

it's the goldfish. their are either too many goldfish or too much feeding. the stock sponge is the best option going imo. if you want better mech you can add some poly batting after the sponge but you'll be changing that out more often than the sponge.

 

[Bderick67]

Just use the sponge that comes with the filter and thoroughly clean the sponge every 3-5 weeks and nothing more is needed. I've got ACs with sponges that are over 5 years old.