I was in my Walmart today and was trying to figure out if this tuff was safe. I couldn't really find anything that said it had chemicals on it.
Mr. Limpet said:That's the stuff to get. Works great in HOB or canister filters.
Really? I would have thought that it's not that great because it's more disposable than filter sponges, filter pads, or pot scrubbers. Considering that one of the main functions of filter media is to grow beneficial bacteria, a disposable media like filter floss doesn't seem like a wise choice.
eco23 said:I also use it in my Fluval 405 thanks to a recommendation from Mr. Limpet. It can work miracles. I change it weekly during my pwc's, so there isn't sufficient time for it to support much of my bio-filter. There's no cost concerns with replacing it weekly because that $4 bag will probably last me a year even with changing it weekly njust make sure you don't buy a brand which is fire retardant...that type contains chemicals. Natural or fire resistant is fine.
Hubert90 said:Where would u put it? I don't have anymore space but the very bottom of my canister. Would it be efficient to throw some down there or will it clog my filter quickly.
eco23 said:I keep both sides of my bottom basket filled. It can restrict flow if you cram too much in there, but just enough to catch debris is all you need. I used to keep some in one half of my top basket as well, but I heard some stories of it getting into the impeller somehow, so I figured better safe than sorry and removed it. The bottom tray is where you want it anyway because you want your ceramic media to come into contact with the cleanest water possible.
Really? I would have thought that it's not that great because it's more disposable than filter sponges, filter pads, or pot scrubbers. Considering that one of the main functions of filter media is to grow beneficial bacteria, a disposable media like filter floss doesn't seem like a wise choice.
I'm also wondering how well filter floss will rinse off in old tank water?
Mr. Limpet said:Sponges only get detritus to a certain micron level, filter pads (ie polishing pads) are the same thing, but a lot more expensive. I'm sure my sponge has bacteria, but I rely on my biomedia to house the bulk of my bacteria and by having poly-fil above the sponge (down stream) and before my biomedia, all the gunk that used to clog my biomedia is now caught by poly-fil.
The minor loss of bacteria when replacing my poly-fil is negligible at best and I never see a bloom or mini cycle. As for rinsing, I rinse it only because I want the nutrients it holds so I can water my garden/flowers with it , other than that, I just toss it.
A bag of poly-fil costs $5, a box of polishing pads cost the same to twice that much and the bag of poly-fil will last me a year using it in all 4 of my tanks filters (nano to canister). I figure that at the same replacement rate, I'm saving 2-300.00 a year minimum.
Sponges only get detritus to a certain micron level, filter pads (ie polishing pads) are the same thing, but a lot more expensive. I'm sure my sponge has bacteria, but I rely on my biomedia to house the bulk of my bacteria and by having poly-fil above the sponge (down stream) and before my biomedia, all the gunk that used to clog my biomedia is now caught by poly-fil.
The minor loss of bacteria when replacing my poly-fil is negligible at best and I never see a bloom or mini cycle. As for rinsing, I rinse it only because I want the nutrients it holds so I can water my garden/flowers with it , other than that, I just toss it.
A bag of poly-fil costs $5, a box of polishing pads cost the same to twice that much and the bag of poly-fil will last me a year using it in all 4 of my tanks filters (nano to canister). I figure that at the same replacement rate, I'm saving 2-300.00 a year minimum.
+1 with what Mr. Limpet and Eco23 have said. In just a few days I've had it in my fluval ... my water is definitely visually clearer. I'm glad I took their advice .. nearly made the mistake of buying the polishing pads.
I stuffed my bottom tray and my water flow's the same and I can tell I'll have more than enough to last months.
You can give all the credit to Mr. Limpet on this one. I didn't even know about it until he mentioned it to me. It definitely works fantastically though. You'll be shocked how much junk that stuff catches and how nasty it is after only a week.
Glad to help .
I replace my poly-fil every time I service any one of my filters, which is once a week for the nano and HOB's and every 2 weeks for my 305 can. My theory is, if you keep it rotating out of your filter on a regular basis, there's little to no chance of bacteria building up so high in it that a bloom/mini cycle might occur. So far for my 4 tanks, my theory is working out as planned. Keeping with this schedule on 6 filters over the last 2+ months, my bag-o-poly is still stuffed to the gills (pun intended lol).