Homemade Filter Sponges....?

[Lazerus]

I have an empty 10 US gal tank, with new substrate, sand and plants etc set up and I have a filter running in it, just to keep the water circulating for the plants, and there is a small bit of new sponge in the filter...

I need more sponge material in the canister as I'd like to 'polish' the water at bit and take away some of the dust and debris floating in the water before I put in my mature filter media.

So instead of going out to buy more sponge, (as I can't really get out today), I'm wondering can I use a new piece of 'cut to size' regular kitchen sponge in my filter canister just to 'polish' my water?

Or is there any other 'homemade' solutions out there for filter sponges?

Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

Kitchen sponges often have anti-bacterials in them, something you don't want in the aquarium. You are looking for open cell sponge, this is the sort that does not hold water. Most commercially made sponge is closed cell, though you may be able to find cushion foam that is open cell. The problem you have with cushion foam is fire retardants.

Floss will polish the water better. You can use the cheapest pillow stuffing you can find, which is often sold at craft shops. I use Wal-Mart poly stuffing, it's cheap & readily available.

 

[lottieu]

my lfs sells the sponge in bulk so you can cut it to size.

 

[Lazerus]

Thanks! So I'll stay clear of the household 'make & do' stuff then!

Yes, my local LFS sells bags of filter media (for ponds) for 50c!!! I was only there the other day and I never thought to pick it up when I saw there! Doh!

Its just I can't get out today really... ah, not to worry...it can hold for the time being.

I've cleaned the filter up a bit and removed any gunk that's building up on the sponge (the sandy style gravel I have seems to have a lot of dust, even after washing it).

I've just put in a carbon sponge that I had in my cupboard, so that should help clear the water a bit for me. I know its not meant for that but at least it is a proper aquarium sponge meant for the filter!

Ok so, thanks!