Using Poly-Fil batting in filters

[Ogre44]

What brand of Poly-Fil do you use?
I bought a roll of Poly-Fil Extra Loft quilt batting from Michaels and I don't think it's the right stuff.
Nowhere on the package does it mention being treated with fire retardant, but when I tried to light some it merely shriveled and refused to burn so I am assuming it's treated in some fashion and this would harm my fish.
I went out and bought an Acurel flter pad to compare, and the pad is much denser and stiffer than the batting, and when I tried to light it it burned quite persistently.

[danielratti]

Yeah pretty much you got the wrong stuff. Just look for the stuff that isn't fire retardant

[Ogre44]

Without buying it and trying to set it on fire, how do you tell?
The pack I bought doesn't say anything regarding fire on it anywhere that I can see, and there were packages that said that they complied with fire regs.

[danielratti]

just make sure its 100%

[Ogre44]

That's what I got:
All New Material Consisting of Polyester Fiber Batting ...100%

Does anyone else do the fire test on the poly that they buy?

[four_by_ken]

I have only had one canisters filter that used it.  I got lucky and bought like 4-5 bags at a store that went out of business.

But when I switch to a sump... I will go through it more often.  If the "aquarium type" that much more expensive?

[Ron]

But when I switch to a sump... I will go through it more often.  If the "aquarium type" that much more expensive?

It's been many years since I bought the aquarium labeled batting, but as best I recall back then, it was 4-5x as expensive as the craft store batting.

When looking to get the right stuff, I look for 100% poly, allergy-free, and no mention of anything about preventing mold/mildew/(AKA no fungicides). I do see a label about it meeting some California board of fire certification, but it also says to keep away from cigarettes/flames/etc. I haven't tried lighting it on fire.

[Ogre44]

From looking on other forums as well it seems that the "Hypoallergenic" label is a good sign.
I guess warnings to keep away from flames would also be telling.

[Steve]

  If the "aquarium type" that much more expensive?

 Not really. I use fiber floss in the top basket of all four of my Rena filters and I buy the Acurel brand from Petsmart/Petco for about $3 for a 4oz bag, which is enough to fill all four top baskets plus have some left over for the next cleaning/change.

[danielratti]

I pay 10 for 15 yards

[merritt]

100% polyester fiberfill can be bought at Walmart for a little over 3 bucks a lb. its washable and nonalergenic. It can be found also at furniture stores if you want a huge roll. Works great and i've had no problems.