Sponges in HOB filters

[NatureFish]

Can I use a kitchen sponge as a filter cartridge in my HOB (mechanical filtration)? If not, what other household item could I use? I have no problem just going to the LFS and getting something but just thought it would be a useful thing to know for emergencies.


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[Yorg]

Hi NatureFish:

A kitchen sponge would be too dense; water would tend to back up and go around it and not through it, which would defeat the purpose.

You might want to pick up some bonded filter pad (the kind that's blue on one side and white on the other) and keep that on hand. In a pinch, you could cut a suitably sized piece and fit it into the cartridge slot.

-Yorg

Can I use a kitchen sponge as a filter cartridge in my HOB (mechanical filtration)? If not, what other household item could I use? I have no problem just going to the LFS and getting something but just thought it would be a useful thing to know for emergencies.


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[icydeath]

Those sponges have antibacterial chemicals so no... You can use scour pads tho. Also, unused pillow batting without chemicals works well. Chemicals being fungicides and fire retardants.

 

[NatureFish]

Thanks everyone!


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[icydeath]

Bonded padding at your LFS is pretty cheap and would work well!

 

[NatureFish]

I wonder if mine would have it though....I haven't been to my LFS in a while.


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[Tbox]

Its easy and will save $. Pack in filter floss and or act. carbon.
Ring/squeeze it out in tank water every month and add new stuffing.

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[Tbox]

The big chains have it.

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[Tbox]

*Wring it out in tank water. I couldn't let that one go.
One more pic. Its a template frame so you can use sharp scissors to cut an inch or so margin around it. Your thumbs work well to separate the pad bond.


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[Tbox]

Pic reload


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[NatureFish]

Cool! I'm definitely going to check that out! I have a similar frame. Would it work if I put the stuff into my filter bag along with the carbon?


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[Tbox]

I should have prefaced the hob pictured is aqueon. I just tore off the the material on the disposable(after it was used) and replaced it with a reusable cartridge that works better.
What hob do you have? If there is space somewhere you could put in a small bag of media. Put the floss in between the reusable cartridge.

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[NatureFish]

I forgot what kind I have lol. I'm not there so couldn't tell you.


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