AquaClear Question

[Debo]

So, I thought and have always been told......I live in the USA.that the carbon is beneficial for the filter? No? Maybe I should experiment with floss instead? I have used carbon and ammonia bags for years. They are a bit pricey but I thought I needed them. Hey...my gram always told me that you learn something new everyday!!!!! And also-I heard that the charcoal that is activated lasts MONTHS. Boy have IO beeen given some bad info. Thanks guys!! I'll save lots....to spend on fish!!! Do I buy a certain brand of floss or is it all the same? Do I put it in a media bag on top of the sponge or don't use a sponge and stuff it full of just floss?
Deb

 

[Lithril]

Sorry can't help much on this one, havent used it yet, I don't think you want to get rid of the sponges though as they'll still filter out the majority of the debris.

 

[AquaNut]

I keep the sponges in my AquaClear filters, Debo. As FreshMike said, you can get little filter baggies to put the floss in your AquaClears, but I don't bother; I just stuff a bunch of floss in on top of the sponges. It's a GREAT money saver!! I think any filter floss is fine, and some people even use quilt stuffing - just make sure it's 100% polyester. As with any new filter meda, give it a rinse before putting in your filter. Don't feel bad, I bought all the AquaClear inserts for a long time, until one time when I ran into a financial emergency and couldn't afford their 'regular and oh-so-necessary' filter replacements. I bought a $2 bag of floss instead, and noticed that all my tanks looked crystal clear and nobody seemed in the least bit bothered by the lack of charcoal or amrid; I've since learned why.

 

[Inchworm]

What exactly is filter floss?

Filter floss looks like a pile of white cotton candy and it used to be used all the time to stuff box filters, which are plastic filters, pretty much considered to be old fashioned now. For about $3 you get a good sized bag of the stuff.

I, like AquaNut, put it in right over the sponge in the AquaClear filters. It's amazing how much extra dirt it picks up.

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I've pretty much stopped using charcoal or ammo-chips in my tanks now that I've found out it's not really necessary, but will always keep some handy for emergencies like the power failure we had here recently.