Will this work as extra filtration?

[bshenanagins]

So when treating i should just use the bonded filter pad with no carbon?

Why are you trying to avoid the ceramic media? I've heard of people using pot scrubbers (not steel wool lol) but its not as good as the ceramic media from what I've read. Bio balls and pot scribbies are best for wet/dry setups whereas the ceramic media is best for closed/air tight filtration. Sponge/padding is really only best for mechanical, sure it harbors BB but the ceramic media holds more

 

[Fishman007]

Why are you trying to avoid the ceramic media? I've heard of people using pot scrubbers (not steel wool lol) but its not as good as the ceramic media from what I've read. Bio balls and pot scribbies are best for wet/dry setups whereas the ceramic media is best for closed/air tight filtration. Sponge/padding is really only best for mechanical, sure it harbors BB but the ceramic media holds more

At petco a small box is 15$...

 

[bshenanagins]

Wow that's ridiculous lol I know they aren't cheap but that's crazy. I think your cheapest solution is pot scrubbies. You could prob get a bunch off eBay cheap.

 

[Fishman007]

Wow that's ridiculous lol I know they aren't cheap but that's crazy. I think your cheapest solution is pot scrubbies. You could prob get a bunch off eBay cheap.

Does petsmart sell them any cheaper?

 

[rbeland]

I hate to jump in like this but I have a similar situation. I have a Tetra Whisper EX 45 hob. I dont want to buy the tetra replacement pads. The front slot is a plastic cartridge and the rear slot is the tetra pad. What setup would you suggest to avoid buying tetra pads?

 

[Fishman007]

I hate to jump in like this but I have a similar situation. I have a Tetra Whisper EX 45 hob. I dont want to buy the tetra replacement pads. The front slot is a plastic cartridge and the rear slot is the tetra pad. What setup would you suggest to avoid buying tetra pads?

No worries, stock it like an aquaclear as shenanagins said

 

[rbeland]

No worries, stock it like an aquaclear as shenanagins said

From looking at the pics it seems like a different setup. I assume remove the pad from the rear filter compartment. Water comes up from the bottom of the rear compartment through the pad and then through the plastic cartridge which catches big stuff. What would I put in the rear compartment first? Ceramic rings in some sort of bag? Then a sponge, then the polyfill? Are all three necessary?

Thanks for the help.

Trying to save my money and keep it in my pocket rather than in Tetras pocket.

 

[Fishman007]

From looking at the pics it seems like a different setup. I assume remove the pad from the rear filter compartment. Water comes up from the bottom of the rear compartment through the pad and then through the plastic cartridge which catches big stuff. What would I put in the rear compartment first? Ceramic rings in some sort of bag? Then a sponge, then the polyfill? Are all three necessary?

Thanks for the help.

Trying to save my money and keep it in my pocket rather than in Tetras pocket.

How about polyfill, then ceramic media, then a bonded pad to trap any particles that made it past the polyfill. Polyfill will act as begining filtration, ceramic media is biological, and the bonded filter pad is he last stage of sediment filtration. You can get polyfill at walmart in giant bags labled as pillow stuffing just make it has no preservatives or chemicals. Bonded filter pads you can get at petco in a giant package for 7$.

 

[Aqualady40]

IME the pillow fill is great; however, using quilt batting, that they use to make Quilts, is rolled neatly where you can cut to size
Here is what I have used for long time now Morning Glory High Loft Batting, 45" x 60", 4-pack: Crafts : Walmart.com BTW absolutely cost effective

 

[Fishman007]

IME the pillow fill is great; however, using quilt batting, that they use to make Quilts, is rolled neatly where you can cut to size
Here is what I have used for long time now Morning Glory High Loft Batting, 45" x 60", 4-pack: Crafts : Walmart.com

That looks good, once i run out of the stuff ive got i will look for that.

 

[bshenanagins]

Probably not, you could try amazon or eBay? I've always found it was the most expensive of the necessary media.

 

[Fishman007]

Probably not, you could try amazon or eBay? I've always found it was the most expensive of the necessary media.

Ehh shiping would be 15$ anyway, i will go to all the lfs.

 

[bshenanagins]

You could get Seachem Matrix (1 liter) for 12.99 free shipping on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002A5VIO

 

[Fishman007]

You could get Seachem Matrix (1 liter) for 12.99 free shipping on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002A5VIO

What is the upside to ceramic media? How does it hold more bb?

 

[bshenanagins]

What is the upside to ceramic media? How does it hold more bb?

It has a large surface area and its very pourus so it harbors a lot of BB per ring.

 

[Tieberion]

I use a Fluval sponge as my medium, with pillow stuffing as my fore/last in my HOB's
and it works great in my 10, 20, and 29. Kept my canister when I upgraded my 55 to my 100, and that's got layers of good stuff (no carbon!!)

 

[Fishman007]

So i got the poly fill from the shed. Should i was it first before putting it in?

 

[bshenanagins]

So i got the poly fill from the shed. Should i was it first before putting it in?

As long as its 100% poly you don't have to rinse

 

[Fishman007]

As long as its 100% poly you don't have to rinse

It is. I stuck 2 hand fulls in the filter. I will get ceramic media or that other stuff tommarow

 

[bshenanagins]

Sounds good