filter material

freezerrat · 05-15-2008, 03:35 PM

Hello, I am running a 24g aquapod. I have the rear chambers filled about 3/4 with live rock and the rest with filter floss. It is working very well. My question is, has anyone ever used or heard of anyone using pillow batting in place of filter floss from a LFS. It can be had for about 1/3 the price and both are made of polyester. My only concern with trying it is that the filler material may be chemically treated with fire retardants or anti-microbials or really anything. I'm too scared to use it, I don't want anything leaching into the water. I have an e-mail out to the poly-fil people but haven't heard back yet. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

vdituri · 05-15-2008, 03:38 PM

Yeah, I would expect there to be some kind of chemicals in there like you said. It would probably be time consuming to cure it and either have it stay clean or cleaning it after curing.
The extra money you pay covers your time and convenience.

lcstorc · 05-15-2008, 03:40 PM

I've used it for years with no problem.

freezerrat · 05-15-2008, 03:44 PM

maybe i'll thow a wad in a bucket with a snail or something and see what happens.

vdituri · 05-15-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

I've used it for years with no problem.

The pillow stuffing stuff? Nice!

freezerrat · 05-15-2008, 03:49 PM

Yeah, wal-mart has a bag twice the size as the LFS for 2 bucks as opposed to 4

Origami2547 · 05-15-2008, 04:20 PM

I use polyester fiberfill which you can get at the fabric store for filter floss. It works fine. Just make sure to change it frequently to keep it from going biological on you.

freezerrat · 05-15-2008, 04:44 PM

I change it twice a week, opposite 10% water changes. Keeps the water pristine. And, every dollar saved is money for my next tank.

05-15-2008, 03:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
freezerrat Fire Coral Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	filter material Hello, I am running a 24g aquapod. I have the rear chambers filled about 3/4 with live rock and the rest with filter floss. It is working very well. My question is, has anyone ever used or heard of anyone using pillow batting in place of filter floss from a LFS. It can be had for about 1/3 the price and both are made of polyester. My only concern with trying it is that the filler material may be chemically treated with fire retardants or anti-microbials or really anything. I'm too scared to use it, I don't want anything leaching into the water. I have an e-mail out to the poly-fil people but haven't heard back yet. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

05-15-2008, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,722 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: filter material Yeah, I would expect there to be some kind of chemicals in there like you said. It would probably be time consuming to cure it and either have it stay clean or cleaning it after curing. The extra money you pay covers your time and convenience. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-15-2008, 03:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,454 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: filter material I've used it for years with no problem. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

05-15-2008, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
freezerrat Fire Coral Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter material maybe i'll thow a wad in a bucket with a snail or something and see what happens.

05-15-2008, 03:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
freezerrat Fire Coral Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter material Yeah, wal-mart has a bag twice the size as the LFS for 2 bucks as opposed to 4

05-15-2008, 04:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Origami2547 Limpet Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ashburn, VA (near DC) Posts: 135 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter material I use polyester fiberfill which you can get at the fabric store for filter floss. It works fine. Just make sure to change it frequently to keep it from going biological on you. __________________ Tom

05-15-2008, 04:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
freezerrat Fire Coral Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 61 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter material I change it twice a week, opposite 10% water changes. Keeps the water pristine. And, every dollar saved is money for my next tank.

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