Filter - replacement - materials

[Ava_Banana]

In my re-built 55g corner tank (on a budget)........

......I have a Eheim 2328 Pro filter ready to go in (thanks Leggit).

At present, I have some substrate, but not a lot......I have a lot of the filter wool stuff and some other bits and bobs......but is there an alternative for the ehfisubstrat (think that is it), the bit that the biological bits grow on?

I was thinking of all sorts of holey rock.......plastic......wool.....just thinking....any thoughts anyone?

Alternatively I was thinking of putting a load of gravel from a running tank (with ugf) into a stocking and using that as the "biological" part of the filter.................any thoughts?

thanks

MarkS

 

[OohFeeshy]

You can stuff any old thing in that has lots of surface area for bacteria. Take a trip to a £1 or $1 shop, they'll have lots to choose from. Pick the cheapest with the most surface area, obviously don't get anything metal or toxic.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

In my re-built 55g corner tank (on a budget)........

......I have a Eheim 2328 Pro filter ready to go in (thanks Leggit).

At present, I have some substrate, but not a lot......I have a lot of the filter wool stuff and some other bits and bobs......but is there an alternative for the ehfisubstrat (think that is it), the bit that the biological bits grow on?

I was thinking of all sorts of holey rock.......plastic......wool.....just thinking....any thoughts anyone?

Alternatively I was thinking of putting a load of gravel from a running tank (with ugf) into a stocking and using that as the "biological" part of the filter.................any thoughts?

thanks

MarkS

I wouldn't use wool, its oily and will rot in the tank- gravel is ok if you have a powerful current running through it although i wouldn't think it is effective as a sponge, be careful with everyday sponges though as many will rot or decompose over time; what is wrong with normal filter sponges? They are designed for the job after all and aern't expensive or anything.
The other thing is, don't change all your filter media over night or you'll lose your beneficial bacteria and cause the tank to cycle.

 

[freddyk]

By wool I'm assuming he means filter floss, which is great for finer partical filtration.

Crushed Lava rock is very cheap to buy from landscapers. It is very porous so it makes for a very good biological media.

 

[Ava_Banana]

Thanks..........yes, I was referring to filter wool (although I did think about the other sort).........


.......sponge isn't a problem............the expensive bit is the ehfisubstrat........which although probably works fantastically well..........is very expensive...........


...........so thanks for the suggestions............

 

[CFC]

Things that make good alternative filter medias

Stickle bricks (the plastic childrens toy that sticks together like plastic velcro)

Glass marbles, they work best if they've been bashed about a bit first.

Hair curlers

Whatever you use make sure that it is inert and if its plastic that it is safe for children.

 

[Dragonscales]

Hair curlers

Your missus must love you cfc, I could just imagine what would happen to me if I was to pinch all my gf's hair products for my fish, I'd probably cop a smack in the ear

 

[Ava_Banana]

Hair curlers

Your missus must love you cfc,

......who said they were his missus'...........



.............bald as a coot me.........no hair curlers..........

........some good suggestions there though.........so basically anything inert that has a large surface area.............

.......what are your thoughts on a stocking full of small gravel (1mm dia)........?

 

[Synirr]

I'm using gravel in the place of carbon in my canister filter and it's getting the job done just fine

 

[The-Wolf]

I can't see a problem using gravel,
provided it is in a bag and can't be sucked into the impellor.

any pics yet of the tank, have you tried a test fill yet?

 

[Ryeguy]

I just picked up one of those shower puff balls today for a small DIY filter im making for a 10G....i saw it in the store and i was like this is perfect

 

[Ava_Banana]

any pics yet of the tank, have you tried a test fill yet?

.......filled it with about 80 litres........and found 1 tiny leak on a front seam........about 6 inches from the bottom.........

.....re-sealed now........


then I decided that the front seams were a little "rough" looking.........so have taken the rough bits off and am re-smoothing them......

.....hopefully be together for this weekend.........