Cleaning an aquarium

[smb]

What is floss? So far, I've been able to decipher that it is used w/ canister filters. That's about it.

It's filter floss. It's used with HOB's also. That's the only media I use. You can get a bag of it at your lfs for about $1.50 and it should last a few years. I rinse mine each week but only replace it twice a year or so.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

How do you use it? Meaning... In the filter as a cartridge or somewhere in the tank itself.?
Sorry for the barrage of questions...

 

[smb]

How do you use it? Meaning... In the filter as a cartridge or somewhere in the tank itself.?
Sorry for the barrage of questions...

Don't worry about asking questions, that's why we're here.

I use it as filter media. ie. instead of carbon, I use filter floss in all of my cartidges.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

So instead of losing all the helpful bacteria in the carbon when you throw it out it stays with the floss...?

Oh yeah, which reminds me. If I have cartridges that I can remove the carbon from, should I add new carbon or use the same carbon each time?

 

[smb]

So instead of losing all the helpful bacteria in the carbon when you throw it out it stays with the floss...?

Yep.

If I have cartridges that I can remove the carbon from, should I add new carbon or use the same carbon each time?

You should replace the carbon each time. That's another reason I don't use carbon and only use filter floss. Saves on a ton of $$$. :smb:

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Ok. One more question. (They need a "sigh" smilie).

Is there a way to buy just the pads for the filter? I've got a Whisper filter and it comes w/ a reusable clip and frame. If I could just buy the pads, I'd be set w/ the floss and the frame...

Seems like a nice way to save $ and bacteria.

 

[smb]

What I do is wrap the floss around the plastic part and use a plastic tie to hold it.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Ok. I'll try that with my new fifty gallon and ask my lfs any more questions I have once I get it.

Thanks

 

[smb]

Ok. I'll try that with my new fifty gallon and ask my lfs any more questions I have once I get it.

Thanks

No offense but you might want to ask all your questions here instead of a lfs.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

None taken. I was going to ask him how to set it up, not necessarily how to use it or its effects on the aquarium, but I could easily ask questions on this forum when I'm at school (I spend study hall, luch, and after school in the lab-- I'm in there right now )

 

[AquaNut]

What I do is wrap the floss around the plastic part and use a plastic tie to hold it.

Hmm. Do tell. I just rinse the new floss (when I'm replacing some) in a bit of dirty tank water and shove it into the media chamber of my filter. I don't wrap it around anything or do anything with it at all... just shove it in there..... seems to have been working for me for the last couple of years, since I abandoned all those overpriced, crappy filter cartridges and little bags of crud.

 

[smb]

What I do is wrap the floss around the plastic part and use a plastic tie to hold it. 

Hmm. Do tell. I just rinse the new floss (when I'm replacing some) in a bit of dirty tank water and shove it into the media chamber of my filter. I don't wrap it around anything or do anything with it at all... just shove it in there..... seems to have been working for me for the last couple of years, since I abandoned all those overpriced, crappy filter cartridges and little bags of crud.

That's perfectly fine also.

I just take the inner plastic piece, lay a large piece of floss across it and cut it to size and do it on the other side, then take a plastic tie and cicnch the floss down with it. I suppose a rubberband would work as well. Not sure my way is any better, just the way I've always done it.

 

[Inchworm]

I agree with AquaNut 100% I still have an old one that I got at a yard sale and I just stuff it, too. Works fine.

By the way, temp, you might want to compare the price of filter floss with the price of polyesther quilt batting in a fabric or department store. Buy whichever costs the least because it is the same thing.

 

[bgraber]

3 points for me for bringing filter floss into the discussion

 

[smb]

3 points for me for bringing filter floss into the discussion

You rule. Go bgraber. :smb:

+3