A cheap source for foam pads?

[captmicha]

What's a cheap source for foam pads? Like if I want to make my own Whisper like filter bags? Like these: http://www.aquatichouse.com/FILTRATION MENU_files/whispercart.jpg

And what's a dirt cheap source for mesh filter bags? Like these: http://www.clearstreamfilters.com/Pic26.jpg
Or how do I make them? I bought mesh bags at the craft store, like what you'd find in the wedding section (like this: http://www.victoryfashion.com/images/1002maina.JPG) but it really cuts down on the water flow.

 

[jackiomy]

I get my mesh bags at petsmart, 99cents. I also use fiber floss in my filters.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

womens knee high nylons make great media bags i use them when i use carbon in my canisters walgreens often has them locally for 19 cents ea w/coupon limit 5 pairs i stock up during the sale

 

[captmicha]

I put one of those on the end of a gravel siphon vac (didn't want to lose any rcs babies) and it slowed down the water flow. Even when I stretched it tight.

 

[Somervell]

What about using fine mesh toole (like bridal veil material.) It would just be like stitching up little pillows on a machine, I would think, and that stuff is about $1.00/yard + filter media.

 

[captmicha]

I've used those mesh bags you find at craft stores in the wedding section and it didn't work. I wonder why.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

For my Penguin 350 HOB's at one time I was considering making new cartridges with poly blanket, sewing needle and dental floss. But since I never remove my cartridges that get auto cleaned by the roots of the English Ivy I have growing in the filter voids, I never have to remove or clean them and have had the same set of filter cartridges since February 1st and they are still clean albeit embedded with roots and would have to cut them free. But the flow is normal and not bypassing.

Media bags for my canisters, and AC HOBs (soon to be modified). I have tried both commercial nylon bags (3x8") for $100. Although the plastic nylon bags are tougher and no doubt last longer, Nylon bags are harder to work with and a bit stiff for molding into different shape spaced to fill voids in canisters. Women’s nylons can be had free from the wife, sisters, or friends, are easy to work with, fit into any weird shape spot but easily get runs and holes over time. I still like the women’s nylons best and have yet to buy any.

As far as sewing your own blue bio sponge fabric I have found that cheap waxed dental floss works best for hand sewing. But I’m also coming to realize that the stuff last so long if not roughly handled that its almost better just to spend the $10 for 3 then try and save $5 sewing your own. I have been using the same blue bio sock on one of my Magnum 350 since I bought it (6 months), that pretty cheap even at $4 a piece.

I do most of my supply buying at Pet Solutions, Strictly Pets, Amazon, and EBay.

 

[kj5kb]

Pantyhose. you can get 6-8 whisper 'bags' out of a pair. just tie the top and bottom. You can use the waist part for larger filters.

Just the plain nylon over the filter frame makes a nice water polishing filter...and you can rinse a reuse a few times...or just tear it off and replace when it's too gunked up.

You can find lots of pantyhose cheap on ebay. You can get more filters from a Q2 than from a size A..too...

I clip the nib off the top corners of my whisper frames at a 45degree angle-it helps keep them from snagging/ripping the nylons.