Filter fiber question

[Holly9937]

So I bought the stuff, (looks like pillow stuffing), do I just squish it into the area where filter cartridges would normally go? I'm using it for an emperor 400 which comes with gray plastic cartridges, should I put the fiber in there to keep it from floating up against the biowheels? I'm not sure which placement would be better, or what everyone else normally does

 

[Avenolpey]

The polyester fiber when wet tends to compress and become unmanagable. There is alternative material that has a firmness between what you have and a sponge. It usually comes in flat pieces and is blue on one side and white on the other. You might find you prefer it. You can roll it up to fit the space and it will hold its' shape and not float up on the wheel if you stuff enough in.

 

[Holly9937]

so I should probably put it in the containers then? They are like 2 plastic pieces that snap together with slats, they are supposed to hold carbon

 

[TKOS]

As long as water can flow past and through it put it in anyway you like. The problem with the filter floss material is it doesn't last very long and needs replacing. But it is excellent at clearing up cloudy water and does have great surface area.

 

[Holly9937]

What I have is called filter fiber if is matters. I thought this was what everyone always praised and said it never needs replaced, what am I supposed to get? Does it have a name? I use the hard sponges now, but I seem to have a hard time cutting it to fit, and they seem to want to float to the top of the water in the filter

 

[TKOS]

Most people want some sort of sponge. The ones sold for Aqua Clear filters seem to work best. They are easy to cut and sink when wet. It is best to cut them so they stay in place by pressure. Then you just need to rinse them out to keep the gunk from building up too much.

I bought a generic sponge from the pet store that I use. It is less dense than the AC sponges but works well for me.

 

[Holly9937]

It is best to cut them so they stay in place by pressure. .

Do you mean so that it is a snug fit, and they can't really move around that way? I have been using the AC sponges, actually, just thought I would try something new. Since I already have the stuff, I put some of the fiber in my snap together cartridges, they were still empty anyway (still in the process of deciding what filters to use on a new tank), so I guess I'll see if I like the stuff at all...

 

[TKOS]

Yup, that's what I meant.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

I use a sponge in my aquaclear which i have never thrown out and also some filter floss on top to polish the water. The filter floss i throw out when its dirty.

 

[Holly9937]

I know it will differ with tank size and inhabitants, etc. but how long usually before you throw it out? I'll have a few different types of filters running on this tank, so maybe I will just use the floss in one, sponges in the other and ceramic in the 3rd (never used that either, it will go in a mag.350)