Cheap Canister Media

[Matt101905]

I saw a link on some thread in the section about cheap canister media but I forgot where it was. Anyways what do you think is the best material thats relatively cheap? Thanks!

[alleykat0498]

It depends on if you want mechanical or bio...

I use this stuff from walmart called quilt batting (like synthetic pillow stuffing) for mechanical. It does clog rather easily, but it keeps my water really clear.

As for biological I use pot scrubbies, found them in three packs at the dollar store. They have loads of surface area. http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8429665

[Sploke]

I use a combination of lava rock for biomedia and polyfill pillow stuffing for mechanical in virtually all my filters. Cheap and effective.

[petluvr]

poly-fil is what I use:)

[Squawkbert]

This one? (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1841297#post1841297)

[ITHURTZ]

lava rock here

[snoopy65]

Snow.......as in the stuff they sell at Christmas time. In January it is really cheap! It is just poly-fill.

[ITHURTZ]

to bad its march..

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

poly fiber fill is pretty cheap year round at walmart in the sewing departemnt just make sure you dont get the kind that has fire retardent on it.

[Matt101905]

Ok thanks guys. I'm really thinking about biological filtration. My XP3 already has those mech. filter pads so I think I'm good there. I do have two bags fool of poly-fill but I don't really want to use it since I want bio. filtration. I was think the pot scrubbers so I guess thats what I'll go for. I'm thinking about cutting them up in squares and just throwing them in there so hopefully water could pass through and around them better. Thanks guys!

[Matt101905]

Ok so I went to dollar general and picked up some sponges. Do you think these should be fine? I'll write what is on the package.

"Spongezz inc." "Naturally Just Great Sponges" "Easy Grip Eco-Nat" "Walnut no-scratch scour sponge"

On the back it says... "The scour in this sponge contains 20% finely ground walnut shells which create a natural non-abrasive scour surface. Walnut shells are natural, biodegradable and non-allergenic. This No Scratch scouring sponge is great for gentle cleaning. Easy Grip shape is easy to hold and makes clean up jobs a snap."

I'll get a pic later...anyways I picked up 12 of these things and there kinda thick so I'm going to cut them up. Anybody willing to guess how much I had to pay for these 12 sponges? Oh and they are individually packed.

Lets just say I was shocked at the price. But I said "Hey I got the money, might as well get em."

[ITHURTZ]

If the sponge is anti bacterial or stops it from smelling it will NOT work. It needs to be a 100% un chemically added sponge to work.

[Matt101905]

If the sponge is anti bacterial or stops it from smelling it will NOT work. It needs to be a 100% un chemically added sponge to work.

It doesn't say anything about anti-bacterial...all it says about anything added is the 20% walnut shell grounds.

[Matt101905]

http://dpgp.trustpass.alibaba.com/product/101669397-100656001/EcoNat_Walnut_No_Scratch_Scour_Sponges.html

I bought 12 of these....guess the price.

[ITHURTZ]

25cents

[Matt101905]

25cents

Do you mean a peice?

I'm asking you guys to guess the total for 12 of them + .08c/1.00 tax

[ITHURTZ]

no

[Matt101905]

no

Ok.

Anybody else?

[fishdude92]

cant you use those shower scrubbies/puffs http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/1955511195_bedcf6336c.jpg?v=0

was taking a shower and thought to myself these would make great biological filter media but never really put it to use

[Matt101905]

cant you use those shower scrubbies/puffs http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/1955511195_bedcf6336c.jpg?v=0

was taking a shower and thought to myself these would make great biological filter media but never really put it to use

I'm not sure but I don't think they have enough surface area to be much help. You want something like a sponge or those cell pores things that they specifically sell for aquariums.

Anyways I opened one of the packets of those scrubbers I bought and the walnut side smells like that alcholic drink Kalula. Do you think this is a bad thing? I think its just the walnut grounds. Also do you think it'll stain my water any? I was thinking of either soaking them in a bucket and seeing or just cutting off the corse walnut side. What do you guys think?

[tcarswell]

Im sure it has been said but scrubbies are my favorite. I could have saved so much a few years ago when I made a sump for my 100 gallon and bought bio balls and ehi substrat

[Matt101905]

Does bacteria attach itself to plastic like PVC? Also do you guys think this walnut stuff is fine for the tank?

[ITHURTZ]

bb is everywhere, on rocks, gravel, plants, sides, in pipes etc. Not enough to sustain a tank thus why more surface area is required.

[bghill]

I would be nervous about the walnuts.

[Matt101905]

I asked my dad and he said not to put the walnut scrubber part in the tank. So I'm just going to take a razor blade and cut that part off. Thanks guys!

Oh did I ever say how much I payed total for all 12 of those scrubbers?

.13 cents. They were on clearence for .1cent apeice + .1cent tax.

[barnsaw]

You need these... I am seriously surprised nobody else chimed in yet.
http://doitbest.com/Scouring+Pads-Do+it+Best+Imports-model-10044-doitbest-sku-632989.dib

[Star_Rider]

:thm::iagree::iagree:
those be the ones

[Matt101905]

You need these... I am seriously surprised nobody else chimed in yet.
http://doitbest.com/Scouring+Pads-Do+it+Best+Imports-model-10044-doitbest-sku-632989.dib


hmm...I would think what I have would be better just because there is more surface area because it is a sponge. I may be wrong though. Oh well I got 12 for .13cents so I think I'm going to use them haha.

[edh]

cant you use those shower scrubbies/puffs http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/1955511195_bedcf6336c.jpg?v=0

was taking a shower and thought to myself these would make great biological filter media but never really put it to use

I put some in my HOT Magnum about 1 month ago and they seem to work fine.

[captmicha]

This is probably a stupid question... but don't you guys also use activated carbon?

[Matt101905]

Only if my water needs poslishing or I am done putting chem. or meds in the tank.

[tcarswell]

Scrubbies and pillow batting as filter floss. Save money on great product using these.

[tcarswell]

You need these... I am seriously surprised nobody else chimed in yet.
http://doitbest.com/Scouring+Pads-Do+it+Best+Imports-model-10044-doitbest-sku-632989.dib
Yes those! The non soap kind :dance:

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88677

[Matt101905]

Thanks Mgamer!

[captmicha]

Why don't you guys use carbon in your filters?