Is Fairfield Polyfil Extra Loft 100%quilt Batting From Walmarts The Right Stuff For Fishtank Filter?

aquarium filter floss header

Your fish tank's water looks somewhat cloudy and at this signal, mechanical filtration seems similar a good idea. Or, perchance, you desire to take the aquarium's clarity to the next level and want to come across things crystal clear as if were floating in the air? Should you use filter floss media and is information technology worth it, compared to a sponge? Or you're merely trying to recollect of a DIY filter floss equally an culling? What'south the frugal arroyo here? Could cheap polyester filter floss be the solution to all of your problems? Let me help.

Why should you use a fish tank filter floss in the first place?

In aquatic systems mechanical filtration is used to capture fine water-polluting particles. These can result in unsightly or even hazardous water quality. In an aquarium, it makes sense to implement filter floss for the post-obit reasons:

Using filter floss media is the fastest and about efficient style to achieve crystal clear aquarium water. It will mechanically filtrate detritus that will otherwise spoil your h2o quality. Filter floss should be changed regularly to forestall a buildup of decomposing debris. It will also catch microscopic bubbles, responsible for cloudy water. Y'all tin can await clear aquarium water in most 3 to 4 days.

Note that filter floss is mode more efficient than a sponge in mechanical filtration.

At kickoff glance, sponges volition announced cheaper in the long run.

However, this may non be the instance if y'all know what kind of filter floss to get and where to look.

Sometimes, the haziness of the h2o is caused past an actual, living bacteria bloom which contributes to a cloudy fish tank with a white milky look.

Other times overly-abundant microalgae spores ("green pea soup") could be the possible cause behind the "dirty" look.

In these cases, mechanical filtration will non be enough.

You volition demand to sterilize your water with ultraviolet light to prevent further reproducing.

Other advantages

Filter floss' a rather controversial topic.

It is said to accrue nitrites (link to where I explicate how to handle that in detail).

The logic to that is that the nutrients volition collect in it, and start decomposing there.

You lot'll have those in the aquarium anyway, whether you choose to circulate them or not.

They will merely be more spread out. Past collecting the detritus and periodically removing the floss yous are really doing more than about filtration than without it.

Another impressive outcome of using filter floss I institute is that I don't really demand to launder my other filter media.

The floss does almost all the filtration.

I rarely find myself rinsing the media where the benign bacteria live.

I practise it, maybe twice or three times a year. What a relief…

Past the mode, in marine tanks, the dorsum chambers can get nasty with fourth dimension.

That is if you don't end your filters during feeding or running them too early afterward.

Filter floss media volition significantly reduce the build-ups in these chambers over time.

Using Poly-Fil (polyester fiberfill) in the aquarium filter?

Changing filter pads can turn out expensive in the long run. Here'due south how to get effectually that by using Poly-Fil in the aquarium:

To avoid plush "aquarium-grade" filter media you can but supplant it with 100% polyester quilting fabric. For extra efficiency – go for the high-loft batting. The high-loaf polyester batting is thicker and therefore more than user-friendly to use for filtering purposes. A skilful brand to look for is FairField'south Poly-Fil quilt batting.

It is completely fish-prophylactic and inert.

It's mad efficient equally well.

It will "shine" your water extremely well, making information technology appear as if your fish are floating in the air.

Y'all can either use it for your display sessions or all the time. It's up to you.

I utilise it full-fourth dimension.

The quilting batter is bonded which means it will not have loose fibers. So the minor fibers will remain where they belong, not being able to clog your filter.

How to employ information technology in an aquarium?

This is how to use this type of filter floss in your aquarium filtration:

Use abrupt scissors when cutting the pieces to prevent chewing.
Place it wherever y'all want in your filter.

I ofttimes choose to identify mine correct earlier the bio-media.

Command how thick the layer will exist by folding it if needed.

Having this product as filter floss does non require equally much diligence also. I change mine every 4 to half-dozen days.

It can occasionally be used in canister filters too. In mine, I add it every month or so and modify it if I find a reduced water flow.

If y'all're a proud owner of one of the better canister filters out in that location you should have plenty of room to experiment with the added quantity.

And I get crystal clear water for my display tanks.

It's a perfect solution for sump chambers as well.

Some users written report rinsing the DIY floss pads and reusing them. I don't practise that. The stuff is so affordable that I choose to change it whenever.

Talking about toll, you can purchase a pound of the stuff for as fiddling every bit vi to 10 US dollars or the equivalent of that in your state.

Where to buy it?

Here's how to save money when looking to buy Poly-Fil:

Poly-fil can be found at Walmart and other crafting and fabric stores if you lot have the time to look for the right one.

But make sure information technology is 100% polyester and it hasn't been treated with any chemicals.

Mold and mildew-resistant fabrics take chemicals in them that are highly toxic to fish.

If you're a busy person, or in a hurry, or simply like to shop from your burrow you tin can purchase it on Amazon here. I've chosen the correct product in the link. It comes in a huge bag that contains a 45″ ten 60″ (or one.14 x 1.53 meters) sized sheet.

Note: You may notice the "flame retardant" characterization on the purse.

Many fishkeepers know that anything that is flame retardant has been treated with chemicals that are lethal to fish.

Worry not though.

In this particular case information technology ways that the polyester has inherited flame retardant properties.

Pure polyester is such on its own, because of its chemical bonds and information technology does not require treatment.

The term "flame retardant" does not refer to a particular ready of chemicals, but rather a function.

Nonetheless another inexpensive road – pillow stuffing

I did promise you lot a dirt cheap pick, didn't I? This is it. With this method you'll get the nigh for the least coin:

You can find filter floss in pillows.

This is probably your most inexpensive alternative.

Again same rules apply – 100% polyester, undyed, and unscented to ensure fish safety.

Go to the store and observe the cheapest pillow possible. The stuff inside will concluding you for more than than a year, if not 2, depending on the tank y'all're filtering.

Doing some calculations you lot'll detect that this way you'll relieve a fortune on filter pads in the long run.

It'due south every bit effective as the poly-fil quilt fabric in making your h2o look like air.

The polyester pillow stuffing can be used all over your filter.

It tin fifty-fifty act as your sole bio-media, housing beneficial leaner in it.

This is not a merits, I accept tried it myself and information technology worked perfectly fine.

My tank remained cycled despite water and decor changes.

So that'southward another couple of bucks in your pocket.

Another practiced way to put the pillow filter floss to use is to reduce your filter's intake flow.

If you lot're having fry (juvenile fish) in the aquarium they are potentially at danger of being sucked in.

Not many filters accept an adjustable flow charge per unit so y'all can employ the filter floss to control it while doing some extra filtration.

If you do choose to use information technology this style, you tin can but replace the floss in the initial uptake pipe, as information technology will clothing out in three to v days.

The pillow polyester filling does have one disadvantage though.

Its fibers are really fine and it may clog your filter's propeller. Information technology's annoying to manually unclog that.

Why would I recommend information technology then?

In that location'due south an easy solution to the problem, of course.

Just use some sort of mesh bag to contain it.

Though a pantyhose sock will do a decent chore at that yous may want to go the extra mile.

Seachem makes something that may come in handy.

It's chosen "The Bag" and at the time of writing costs just under 9 bucks.

Which is pretty close if not lower-priced than the nylon stocking.

However, it's a 180-micron mesh that's able to contain even the smallest media on the market.

The price is then low because it is originally designed to hold Purigen (another product of Seachem).

This way y'all'd need to buy both when in demand of the latter.

However, in this case, you tin can utilise it to house your pillow filter floss and foreclose propeller clogging.

Run into the micron handbag here (at Amazon).

Conclusion

Given how insignificant the cost can be and how little maintenance is required, I think using filter floss in a fish tank is a no-brainer.

It volition provide your aquarium with a stunningly clear view of your fish.

And what is there to fishkeeping other than being able to enjoy your aquarium in HD, right?

Do go out a comment if you have additional questions.