Is It Possible To Ship Filter Media With Bacteria?

[mnemonik23]

Hi,

I'm in Georgia, US and found a filter media donor in Florida (the closest one to GA from the "List Of Members Willing To Donate Mature Filter Media To Newbies").
The question is, is it possible to ship the media? Did anybody try it before and if so, could you please provide me with as much details as possible? (what carrier, type of shipping, did you pack it with water, etc.)

Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

It sure is possible, I've done it several times. Triple bag, 1/3 water, 2/3 air. Cooler weather is better for shipping, spring or fall are best. I add some frozen bloodworms to the bag, deteriorating food creates ammonia, which feeds the bacteria.

I use UPS, I ship from work. Next day saver from Chicago to Colorado is around $35 if I remember correctly, standard ground, which is 2-3 days is around $14. Just pack the bag in the appropriate size box, pack it with some old newspaper or other packing. Tape it securely just like any other shipment.

 

[mnemonik23]

It sure is possible, I've done it several times. Triple bag, 1/3 water, 2/3 air. Cooler weather is better for shipping, spring or fall are best. I add some frozen bloodworms to the bag, deteriorating food creates ammonia, which feeds the bacteria.

I use UPS, I ship from work. Next day saver from Chicago to Colorado is around $35 if I remember correctly, standard ground, which is 2-3 days is around $14. Just pack the bag in the appropriate size box, pack it with some old newspaper or other packing. Tape it securely just like any other shipment.

Awesome!

Another question. What if filter media is different from what I have (btw, my filter is Aqua Clear 50 power filter)? Do I have to find an exact media donor or there is a work around with different media types/sizes?

Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

An AC50 has 3 media spaces the size of the sponge. Their usual setup is using carbon, the sponge, and biomax. There is no need to run carbon, so you could take whatever media you get, and put it in the bottom. The sponge in the second space will hold the donor media in, the biomax goes on top.