Paul1792
Aquarium Advice Freak
I've got two C3's on my 38 gallon and a C4 on my 29 gallon. The factory pads are fine and do give you crystal clear water, but (in addition to being more costly), I find that I get much better results when it comes to polishing the water for that "uber clear" look when I do custom "cut to fit" media.
The C3 mechanical media frame is about 5" x 5" x 1/2" and I have found that the best results are achieved using cut to fit Acurel Polyfiber debris reducing pad (about 3/8" thick) plus 100 micron AquaticLife non-woven polishing pad.
The C4 mechanical frame is about 6.25' x 5.5" x 5/8" and I find the best results are obtained with either the cut to fit Acurel pad (above) + AquaticLife 300 micron polishing pad + AquaticLife 100 micron polishing pad. Or, alternatively, HBH Aqua-Pure Poly fiber (1/2 inch thick) plus the 100 micron AquaticLife polishing pad.
Neither the factory nor the AquaticLife "cut to fit" polishing pads can be re-used since the dirt becomes embedded in the pad. The "problem" is that neither brand of the coarser "cut to fit" polyfiber pads can be rinsed thoroughly (squeezed) in aquarium water .... and even when you just lightly swish it ...... it doesn't seem to last more than once or twice before having to be replaced.
I hate to waste the beneficial bacteria when the pads are replaced and wonder why I cannot find any "cut to fit" sponge pads ( ie 3/8 to 1/2" thick) that can be rinsed more thoroughly and used forever ...... like the AquaClear sponges.
Maybe nobody wants to sell you something that you don't have to come back and make repurchases .... or am I missing something? It could also save some $$ if there was a cut to fit sponge.
Am I missing something here?
They sell a Juwell line of sponge pads in the UK that Ian086 put me onto
Juwel Filter Sponges | eBay
... but has anyone seen something that clearly works? This would have application in many other types of filters, too.
Thanks
The C3 mechanical media frame is about 5" x 5" x 1/2" and I have found that the best results are achieved using cut to fit Acurel Polyfiber debris reducing pad (about 3/8" thick) plus 100 micron AquaticLife non-woven polishing pad.
The C4 mechanical frame is about 6.25' x 5.5" x 5/8" and I find the best results are obtained with either the cut to fit Acurel pad (above) + AquaticLife 300 micron polishing pad + AquaticLife 100 micron polishing pad. Or, alternatively, HBH Aqua-Pure Poly fiber (1/2 inch thick) plus the 100 micron AquaticLife polishing pad.
Neither the factory nor the AquaticLife "cut to fit" polishing pads can be re-used since the dirt becomes embedded in the pad. The "problem" is that neither brand of the coarser "cut to fit" polyfiber pads can be rinsed thoroughly (squeezed) in aquarium water .... and even when you just lightly swish it ...... it doesn't seem to last more than once or twice before having to be replaced.
I hate to waste the beneficial bacteria when the pads are replaced and wonder why I cannot find any "cut to fit" sponge pads ( ie 3/8 to 1/2" thick) that can be rinsed more thoroughly and used forever ...... like the AquaClear sponges.
Maybe nobody wants to sell you something that you don't have to come back and make repurchases .... or am I missing something? It could also save some $$ if there was a cut to fit sponge.
Am I missing something here?
They sell a Juwell line of sponge pads in the UK that Ian086 put me onto
Juwel Filter Sponges | eBay
... but has anyone seen something that clearly works? This would have application in many other types of filters, too.
Thanks