Safe materials to use in aquariums?

[leoslizards]

I noticed that a lot of DIYers use homemade filter/media bags and sponge filter materials that they purchased at craft and cloth stores. I want to do a couple things but don't know what type of materials to get, cotton, polyester, etc...? Which materials are safe to use in FW and SW tanks? I want to make some media bags and bio foam filters. What should I be looking for and where's a common place to get it?

Thanks.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

first of all you want to make sure anything you get isnt treated with chems.......

pot scrubbers are good for bio media..... filter floss for polishing the water. other sponges are fine to use.

 

[jones57742]

Leo:

Ditto Mg.

But what are specifically referring to?

TR

 

[leoslizards]

Ok makes sense but I'm looking for sheets of materials. For example, LFS sell filter floss at a premium price for a small bag but I've seen that some people buy their filter floss from craft stores and places like Wal-mart for a fraction of the cost and three times the amount and it isn't labeled filter floss or located in the pet section at all. When someone makes a DIY foam filter, they get the material in sheets or blocks from a fabric store, correct? What should these materials be made of, chemical free 100% polyester?

 

[Rbishop]

You would have to read the label closely. Also good are rain gutter sponge guards for the down spouts. A lot of stuff in the craft/sewing areas are polyester or safe for the aquarium.

 

[fishorama]

Sponge guard, Bob? Sounds like something I may want. Details please.

I give things a good "sniff test" at the fabric & hardware store. They might be ok but I usually rinse & let them air out a while first. Beware fire-retardant treated foam & fabric.

 

[leoslizards]

Thanks for the info.
I read in another thread that cotton rots. That would explain the recent ammonia and nitrites in my tank. I made a media bag out of cotton for my hob filter a few weeks ago and I can't seem get rid of the NH3 and NO2 even though I'm doing daily pwc. :wall:

 

[zzyzx85]

The filter floss that you find at Walmart or craft stores is packaged as either Poly-fil or polyester pillow stuffing.

 

[jmhart]

Yes, I just purchased polyester poly-fil pillow stuffing from Wal-Mart yesterday. Figured I'll be using it for a good long while so I bought the 5# box for $8. They also have a 1/4# bag for $2.67. It's located in the craft section.

 

[jones57742]

Leo:

Several Items:

Ok makes sense but I'm looking for sheets of materials.

I have never purchased the inexpensive filter floss at a local retail store but when I run out of my current stock I anticipate doing so (partially based upon the posts in this thread).

Another inexpensive alternate is available out there and that is quilt batting. This batting does come in sheets and I have used it extensively as a prefilter for 100Mu and 50Mu media.
Quilt batting is available at stores such as Hobby Lobby.

I do not know about the inexpensive filter floss but the quilt batting comes in two flavors one of which is denoted as fire retardant.
I have never used the fire retardant batting.

TR