Cheap Filter Media

[talisker]

i've just bought a tetratec ex1200 filter secondhand but it's missing the media is there anything cheaper i can use other than the original pads as if i buy them new i may as well have bought a new filter.
i read somewhere about using scouring pads but obviously they can't have any cleaning product on them

 

[TetraUk]

i've just bought a tetratec ex1200 filter secondhand but it's missing the media is there anything cheaper i can use other than the original pads as if i buy them new i may as well have bought a new filter.
i read somewhere about using scouring pads but obviously they can't have any cleaning product on them

Hi, you can get new filter media quite cheap on the internet fro stores or even ebay, and if you buy the carbon, floss etc from the same seller you could probably save on a postage discounts for item shipped together at the same time. Even if you had purchaed the filter new, you will always have to buy new media when it comes to sponges and carbon etc so second hand at first does help

I wouldn't advise you use sponges meant for cleaning, they are made from different materials and will not do the same job filtering as official or generic brand aquarium filter pads.

 

[doresy]

Try the pond dept of your LFS. You can get a packet of sponge filter media cheaply then just cut to size with sissors or elec carving knife.

 

[talisker]

i've found some large section of filter pads that you can cut to shape on ebay

 

[JoshuaA]

Pond filter media is large and cheap.

or you can opt for something like a scouring pad in which you just put a bunch of those in, I know many do that. A sponge meant for washing dishes will decay afaik.

 

[OldMan47]

For bio-media you can use the simple media of pot scrubbers. I have some in my own filters. This is a picture of some of mine.

 

[Joshwainwright]

A whole new range of designer filter media.

Everybody will want their external filters looking bright and exciting soon!