Confused - Need Advice About Filter Sponges

[fishnovice]

Hi i heard some people make their own filters. No plans for this yet but may need filter media for some commercial ones I own
! Juwel internal filter -do you have to buy 3 types of Juwel sponges fine coarse and black?
2. Hexagon FishRfun GPS 555. Has internal filter cartridge in lid. Instructions say change cartridge every 2 months
3.Small pump filter bought used on Ebay, nor sure what's inside it if anything

Manufacturers spares are expensive esp the cartridges, can I use something else like a new clean kitchen type, bath or carwashing sponge?
If yes, should I break open the cartridge and put new sponge inside

 

[Tolak]

Kitchen sponges often have antibacterial agents, and will not work. I've seen people use car wash sponges, they seem to deteriorate quickly. Your best bet is cheap open cell cushion foam from a fabric or housewares shop. Open cell foam does not hold water like a car wash sponge, which is closed cell. You want the cheapest foam you can get, with no fire retardants.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Plastic pot scourers.

Like esse

 

[KittyKat]

Not a good idea to use kitchen sponges: they are regularly treated with chemicals to prevent them from going mouldy.

Contrary to manufacturers' instructions, you should almost never change the sponges as this may kill your cycle. It is much better to just wash them out in old tank water on a regular basis until they are clean again.. I have sponges in my filters which are up to 5 years old.

 

[fishnovice]

Plastic pot scourers.

Like esse

Brilliant -I'll get some! Thanks for the idea

Not a good idea to use kitchen sponges: they are regularly treated with chemicals to prevent them from going mouldy.

Contrary to manufacturers' instructions, you should almost never change the sponges as this may kill your cycle. It is much better to just wash them out in old tank water on a regular basis until they are clean again.. I have sponges in my filters which are up to 5 years old.

So It's just a manufacturers' con to get newbies like me buying lots of expensive filter stuff! Thanks for the advice
What about old 2nd hand filters off Ebay, not sure what's inside but likely all bacteris would be dead by now. Should I replace with new sponge stuff?

Kitchen sponges often have antibacterial agents, and will not work. I've seen people use car wash sponges, they seem to deteriorate quickly. Your best bet is cheap open cell cushion foam from a fabric or housewares shop. Open cell foam does not hold water like a car wash sponge, which is closed cell. You want the cheapest foam you can get, with no fire retardants.

Thanks for your help. No furniture cushion places nearby. What about those cheap household sponges with green scourer stuff on top (can cut off green bit) -10 for£1 from Lidl/Poundstretcher/Tesco , don't think they have anti-bacterials like "posh" branded ones. What about bath sponges from Boots?

 

[FoMoCo]

[/quote]
Thanks for your help. No furniture cushion places nearby. What about those cheap household sponges with green scourer stuff on top (can cut off green bit) -10 for£1 from Lidl/Poundstretcher/Tesco , don't think they have anti-bacterials like "posh" branded ones. What about bath sponges from Boots?
[/quote]

I don't think any household sponge cleaning type products would not be suitable.

You are better off going for big sheets of pond filter foam & cutting them down to size & you will also be able to choose the right grade you need. I buy a triple grade (fine, medium & course) pack for my Fluval externals, I think it's about 4' x 2' (x 3 sheets) for only £15 for my LFS.

 

[KittyKat]

Contrary to manufacturers' instructions, you should almost never change the sponges as this may kill your cycle. It is much better to just wash them out in old tank water on a regular basis until they are clean again.. I have sponges in my filters which are up to 5 years old.

So It's just a manufacturers' con to get newbies like me buying lots of expensive filter stuff! Thanks for the advice
What about old 2nd hand filters off Ebay, not sure what's inside but likely all bacteris would be dead by now. Should I replace with new sponge stuff?

Up to you, but probably best to bleach them (with unscented thin bleach, then wash that off very well) and get new media in case the other person is selling them because all their fish died from some horrible disease.

Thanks for your help. No furniture cushion places nearby. What about those cheap household sponges with green scourer stuff on top (can cut off green bit) -10 for£1 from Lidl/Poundstretcher/Tesco , don't think they have anti-bacterials like "posh" branded ones. What about bath sponges from Boots?

Seriously avoid all household sponges. You'll be surprised how cheap the stuff they soak them in is.. it can cost less then 1p to do 10 sponges! And personally, I would be more worried about the cheap ones then the expensive ones.. I would hope that the expensive ones might have something less evil on which works just as well!