Diy Foam Filter Media

[Cichlidkeeper]

Alright I'm sure every one has ran into foam as a filter media. I'm getting a canister filter that uses it for mechanical filtration. I have been looking for a cheap bulk version. I sure don't want to pay the inflated price the manufacturer of the filter wants me to pay.

I found this sight but I'm not sure if this would work. I was looking more at the second item. The first Item says at the bottom not recomended for fish tanks. I'm not sure what this means. It could be like GE's silicone where is says its not recomended.

Foam by mail

 

[Tolak]

Wal-Mart cushion foam. Buy the cheapest stuff, without fire retardants. You want to use open cell foam, closed cell won't let water pass through.

 

[IovaykInD]

That foam will be hard to cut to correct sizes unless you freeze it first. And it will be sort of hard to fit that gigantic foam into your refrigerator. You could put it outside if it's cold enough like here in NY. I could freeze that thing in minutes HAHA

Isaac

 

[eric1514]

Is locating foam, buying, shipping, freezing, trimming and fitting really worth it?

The foam you buy from the filter manufacturer is reusable. When it gets clogged, clean it. It might take months or years before it wears out. The savings in making your own just isn't there.

Eric

 

[Paul_MTS]

Yep! I'ved had the same bit of foam in my filter for a year now and still going strong. because it's not part of biological filtration I rinse it under the tap meaning you can get it alot cleaner.

a few quid every 2 years for a specific foam or a big expenditure on bulk foam...hmmmmmm

 

[Cichlidkeeper]

Double Post

 

[Cichlidkeeper]

Thank you for all your input. This is the first time using it in a canister filter and I wasn't sure how long it would last. I figure debris would get up into the sponge and wouldn't come out. The manufactur says they are reuseable but I wasn't sure how reuseable they were. I'll take your word for it and see how it goes.