Makeshift Filter Media

[KaiserSousay]

BIO is the big dog in the HOB world.
The only systems that seem to have a workable answer to this is the AquaClear system and Emperor/Penguin Bio wheels.
BB will grow on most anything, anywhere. You could have a bag of media hidden in your tank, with some string to pull it out and give it a rinse as needed.
Not as efficient as being in the water stream, but would work none the less.

 

[badreverend]

and put it in nylon pantyhose

put it in nylon pantyhose

How do you guys know when to take the pantyhose off and put them in the filter? ha- Im kidding of course!

In your own words
I probably need to grow up

that seems like an unnecessary shot at the guy

 

[siebertn]

scrubbies own but i don't know how many you will be able to fit in your HOB and i don't know about the chemicals leaching out,i have been using them with bio-balls for a couple months and i haven't seen any thing BAD happening in the tank.Fish are still kicking and swimming.

 

[AquariumNerd]

Exactly what chemicals are going to leach out of the nylon? You may want to do a little research on the subject the scrubbies are basically made out of the same material as bio balls. I would bet that half the experienced members here on MFK use pot scrubbies.

And what's with the double post, you don't know how to edit yet

Actually I would have thought that most of the experienced members just buy filter mediums such as porous rock and 'tested aquarium safe' synthetic sponges, and use simple things such as medium grade gravel, which do give a relatively large surface area. I have never thought about buying some kitchen cleaning brush or whatever it is and putting it in my tanks. I would sooner go to the beach, collect some grave, disinfect it and give it a soak in hot water, and use that in the filter. Laver rock is a great filter medium, especially when broke down to smaller pieces so as to give a large surface area, but without the deep internal cavities that could allow some production of sulfides.

 

[yogurt_21]

Actually I would have thought that most of the experienced members just buy filter mediums such as porous rock and 'tested aquarium safe' synthetic sponges, and use simple things such as medium grade gravel, which do give a relatively large surface area. I have never thought about buying some kitchen cleaning brush or whatever it is and putting it in my tanks. I would sooner go to the beach, collect some grave, disinfect it and give it a soak in hot water, and use that in the filter. Laver rock is a great filter medium, especially when broke down to smaller pieces so as to give a large surface area, but without the deep internal cavities that could allow some production of sulfides.

brilliant lava rock can be broken down into small peices that can scar your fish or break down your pump similar to sand in the impeller.

scrubbies are used by many peopel here and there is nothing that can leach back into the water. you're thinking of sos pads = fail

read the sticky's in the filter forum before coming in and commenting blindly.

 

[yipp-e]

pot scrubbies are better used in a wet/dry set up. Same as bio balls are almost useless fully submerged so are scrubbies. Dont be a tight ass and spent $40 on a 4 litre bucket of seachem matrix. I use this in my sumps mixed with scoria and its is the best bar none. Water quality and health of the fish is changed for the better in only a short period. I love it.

 

[Bderick67]

Not to mention scubbies have more available surface area then lava rock.

 

[spaulding]

i have scrubbies crammed into just about all of my hobs. i pack em in pretty good, and leave the ones on top only partially submerged. works for me anyway.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

Get some filter sponge sold at any LFS, cut them to fit inside the filters, dump the carbon filters completely as they're useless and you don't need them. Or stuff scubbies in there like the others said, that'd work good, too.

 

[zennzzo]

You are all forgetting that all these things could release nasty chemicals into your fishes water, this could result in a few deaths.

Speaking from experience
or
just trying to think of something intelligent sounding to say?


As the official SCRUBBIE guy, I call BS!!
plastic pot scrubbers are "food grade" woven plastic that is packaged without chemicals or manufacturing residues.

What "nasty Chemicals"? and if they are so nasty why only resulting in a few deaths?

I have personally been responsible for supplying 1000's upon 1000's upon 1000's of Scrubbies to fishkeepers that take care of 10's of thousands of dollars in fishstock...and if you want to check my "feedback" you'll see not one single solitary death or any negative issues at all, caused by the media..