How did you come to this conclusion? Poly-fil (polyester quilt batting material) is a popular and effective mechanical filter material. I've used it for years in my tanks. Regarding this material, be sure to select a product that is free of flame retardants.
Well, I feel a little better knowing that it wasn't a completely stupid idea.
In the list of things that could have affected the cycle are a week-previois substrate change, treating with API General Cure, using a lot of hand sanitizer in the process of the change thanks to a 5 year-old who decided to get things out of the freezer by herself, and the batting.
General Cure isn't supposed to cause problems with the cycle, and my hands were never wet with sanitizer when I put my hands in the water or on equipment.
The substrate is the most likely cause, but it had happened several days before. I removed a lot (but not all) of the substrate last week Saturday but still had nitrates. I do levels checks on Wednesdays, and I had zero ammonia and 5 nitrates, so I'm pretty sure it's not an issue with the substrate. That was the big change.
I also test levels after water changes, and my ammonia was .5ppm and nitrates 0! A 17% water change wouldn't have made that much of a difference.would it?
I used JoAnn's off the batt batting, so I have no idea whether it's treated with flame retardant chemicals. It made the water SO CLEAR!
So maybe it was the substrate?
the tiny computer is full of delicion!