Filter floss or foam blocks?

[Loon36cf]

I have 5 ac 110 s
A ac 70
2 ac 30s

For a while I was using their basic foam blocks then biomax but having all the tanks running with all these it can get pretty expensive.

Does anyone have any alternatives or a place to get a huge foam block that can be cut down

[Jaws22]

You can get foam blocks pretty cheap from an arts and craft store.

[linuxrulesusa]

100% polyester quily batting from JoAnns or similar is a good alternative for filter floss.  Cheap also.

Be careful on foams as they may or may noy be aq uarium safe.  I don't know what brands are or aren't.

[RichE]

100% polyester quily batting from JoAnns or similar is a good alternative for filter floss.  Cheap also.

Be careful on foams as they may or may noy be aq uarium safe.  I don't know what brands are or aren't.

Filter floss(pillow stuffing) $3.99 a bag at the walmart

As for sponges,buy the sponge for the actual model of the filter(there cheap) and just rinse out and use again

[Loon36cf]

You can get foam blocks pretty cheap from an arts and craft store.

Have you used them with out a problem? I'm assuming just since them well?

[Ron]

Be careful on foams as they may or may noy be aq uarium safe.  I don't know what brands are or aren't.

FWIW, you have to be careful on batting as well. Some have fungicides or other fungus/mold inhibitors. Typically the non-allergenic ones aren't treated.

[Loon36cf]

So what would be the safest bet for the cheapest so I  not spending 60 bucks every few months

[four_by_ken]

Why are you replacing the Aquaclear foam?

I have never replaced one.  They last forever.

[RichE]

Chris

If you want to try the pillow stuffing I Use, I just bought a 10lb bag Monday,I can give you some to try.

[Ron]

Why are you replacing the Aquaclear foam?

x2. Just rinse them out and reuse. (Don't rinse out all the sponges if you don't have other biological media - just do a 2 sponge rotation.)

Finding a good, open-cell sponge that is rigid like the AC one for cheap that won't contain or release harmful chemicals is probably a tough task.

The "filter floss" material is cheap, $5-$6/bag IIRC, if you want to try that out.

[Arturtle]

Why are you replacing the Aquaclear foam?

I have never replaced one.  They last forever.

I agree 100% with this.

The biggest downfall of using filter floss is that it is hard to contain and generally ends up everywhere.

[linuxrulesusa]

Be careful on foams as they may or may noy be aq uarium safe.  I don't know what brands are or aren't.

FWIW, you have to be careful on batting as well. Some have fungicides or other fungus/mold inhibitors. Typically the non-allergenic ones aren't treated.

Thanks, I should have clarified this...haven't checked my bag recently.  Pretty sure it was the non allergenic kind.  HonestltI haven't used it much after I got enough aqauclear sponges...easier to rinse the sponges out and can go longer between maintenance.

[lilscoots]

Don't get foam from a fabric/craft store....I almost lost my entire stock trying to save a buck or twenty....(lost 1 fish).  You shouldn't have to replace any of the filter stuff for the AC's, just rinse them out, they do last forever.  Quilting batting works well as a polisher, but you do have to be careful it doesn't resist mold/fungus.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I have been using AC 110 foam and I don't even have any AC filters.  I just cut the 110 foam to fit in the filter reservoir regardless of the brand of filter I am using. I also use Seachem Matrix in the bottom underneath the sponge. I am not to keen on using floss though, IMO - it can be more difficult to remove and replace (yuk).  As Ken and Riche said,  just rinse out the foam and you are good to go, no need to replace it.

You can get a AC 110 foam on PetMountain for $4.79 on sale as we speak....

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-512933/?utm_source=pricegrabber&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=11442-512934


You can get a AC 110 foam on Amazon for $6.75...

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Clear-A623-AquaClear-Insert/dp/B0002563WC/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1376087308&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Aqua+clear+110

[Loon36cf]

I guess I am asking because I neglected one of my filters cause it's not easy to get to and start stinking a little do I took it out and ya I threw it out. So that's why I was wondering about an alternative other people use

Ill just make sure to clean the foam more than what I have been