Marineland hob filter cartridge alternatives

Hey, what do you guys who own a marienland filter HOB use as an alternative to the marineland cartridges? (Fine sponges, coarse sponges, aquaclear sponges, etc)

Also, don't suggest that I just get a sponge filter.

 

Buy a sheet of coarse filter sponge and fine too if you wish and cut to pieces that fit your said filter. Like playing with lego!
Basic principle is that water goes to the coarse sponge first, the bag of biomedia and then fine sponge. Coarse sponge is enough by itself already tho. Also easy to clean by squeezing debris out in old tank water and never had any break in over 5 years.
Make sure you dont crash your cycle when replacing your filter media! Never change all at once, squeeze the old gunk into new media to kick start and use 2 filters to do the cycling if possible.

 

I would suggest cutting the top of the sponge above the height of the water in a working filter but below the height of the overflow. That way water will always flow through the sponge until it becomes blocked after many weeks and then the water will build up and flow over the top of the sponge long before it goes over the overflow/ bypass.

 

Since my filter has the bio-wheel which is responsible for the biological filtration I'd only need something for mechanical filtration.

I'm thinking of going with an aqua 70 sponge: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002563W2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_JFCWBVBTDKADGHZBF96E

Or a generic coarse sponge:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085H8P6V8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E79F26W20KZDZVXHMDS3

Which would you guys pick

 

The generic sponge is what I have, atleast it's durable and one sheet was enough to fit more than one filter of mine. Hard to say how the quality of the other one is nor how big it is and what shape exactly as I don't have that specific filter. But in the end I believe both will do what you want

 

The generic sponge is what I have, atleast it's durable and one sheet was enough to fit more than one filter of mine. Hard to say how the quality of the other one is nor how big it is and what shape exactly as I don't have that specific filter. But in the end I believe both will do what you want

Wait you have the same sponge? This one: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085H8P6V8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E79F26W20KZDZVXHMDS3

 

Wait you have the same sponge? This one: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085H8P6V8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E79F26W20KZDZVXHMDS3

Looks the same, from amazon too. It was many years ago tho so who knows

 

I use Coarse sponge over intake fine sponge inside