Polishing pads vs DIY pads

[BassetsForBrown]

Many brands produce pre-cut pads, and pre-cut polishing pads to fit their filters. You can also buy a big roll of uncut mechanical media at many locations and cut them yourself. Does anyone have experience that suggests any real difference? I personally have never bought Cascade's filter pads for my canister. I used the ones that came with the filter and once they were worn out I bought the mats of mechanical media and cut them to fit ever since.

Is this the sort of thing were brand name really is better quality?

 

[seedubs1]

In my opinion, mechanical filtration is mechanical filtration. As long as it's catching particles and your water is ok, you're doing fine with whatever mechanical filtration you're running.

Lots of us replace the stock brand name mech. media once it's worn out with bulk stuff we cut or otherwise fit ourself. It's cheaper and it does the same thing.