Why Filter Floss & Micron Pads? Explained

Good morning,

Below are photo examples of why I add Filter Floss (100% Poly Quilting Batting Material, High Loft) and Micron Filter pads to all of my filters. Fresh pads on the left and used pads on the right.

This floss and these pads trap tiny particles of detritus that would otherwise end up clogging my filter media used for beneficial bacteria purposes and or end up back into the tank.

The photos are showing only 5 days of use and in the photo with the largest pad is only 48 hours of use.

I do not depend on the floss/pad for beneficial bacteria purposes as I have Blue Bio Balls, Sponges and Bio Max that I do depend on. Using the pads/floss reduces the amount of filter maintenance such as rinsing media housing beneficial bacteria. It's rare that I have to rinse the media, maybe every 4 to 6 months or when I see a reduced flow from the output.

Removing the floss and changing it out for fresh and changing the pads every 3 to 5 days helps to keep my nitrates under control, ammonia under control along with my pH and helps to keep my tanks crystal clear, removing a great deal of waste and trapped foods. (note, I do not over feed my fish, only feeding once per day).

Too much build up of detritus will clog your media for beneficial bacteria purposes, increase your Nitrates and Ammonia and lower your pH, none of which are beneficial to the fish.

100% Poly Quilting Batting:



PurFlo Micron Filter Pads:


Methods to my madness!

Ken







(all photos taken by me personally) Why have all of this waste in your tank and filter when it isn't necessary?

Note: My tanks and filters are very well established and these pads are not needed for my cycling purposes.

 

Great info Ken!
Which filters do you use?
Where in the filters do you place the floss and micropads?

 

HI Lucy!

For the 265g tank I use 3 Aqua Clear 110's and 1 Aqua Clear 50 that filters my Wet/Dry tide pool area. The Wet/Dry filter is powered by a 950 Mag Drive Pump.

For the 33g long, I use an Eshopps Wet/Dry powered by a Mag Drive 250, and I have an Aqua Clear 70 that filters the tide pool area of the Wet/Dry.

For the Aqua Clears, I have a Brick Sponge on the bottom, then an Activated Carbon Pad, Batting Material 2 layers, Micron Filter Pad and then the Bio Max. The bio max is always clean!

For the Wet/Dry filters I place 1 layer of Batting on the bottom, then a micron pad and on top I have a thick course pad to trap large debris. The filter media for beneficial bacteria (blue bio balls) is directly below all of these pads and I keep extra media in the tide pool area where the pump lives.

Ken

Carbon pads cut to fit. Using these pads gives me more room for media compared to using Activated Carbon Crystals:

 

Can you rinse the floss and/or pads out, or do you have to simply replace them? It seems like it could quickly get very costly if they get that used in such a short period of time.

 

The batting is very inexpensive, and cleaning them after use, reduces the loft. The best way to use it is to toss it, as recommended.

 

Good afternoon,

Agreed with BillD above concerning the floss/batting material.

As for the Micron Pads, after they've been used I rinse them out then soak them in bleach/water solution for 48 hours. Rinse them again, let them air dry and they are ready to reuse. I've been using the same Micron Pads for well over a year now.

Ken

 

So maybe rubber banding some of this around my UGF ports will have the same effect polishing my water?

 

HI Anthony,

I've never tried it with UGF's so I really do not know.

Ken

 

Well I'll give it a shot and see how it does... I figure a week before I can get a true answer...

 

Let us know how it works for you.

Ken

 

Where do you get the quilt batting and what is its cost? I'm setting up my 36 gallon sump about 4' long, and want 1/4 floss 1/4 lava rock 3/8 refugium and 1/8 return. As well as fill my other tanks. We all can't be as rich as you haha!

 

I just go to WalMart and buy a roll of quilt filler....pretty cheap

 

Since I just got my first large canister filter, I picked up a package of Coralife 50mc filter pads (I swear there's enough in there to swaddle a baby). It didn't get shipped until after I had already set up the canister.

Should I wait until it's time for the monthly cleaning to add it the Coralife 50mc pad, and if so, in what tray should I add it?

My canister has 3 trays. The bottom tray is full already with the white and blue foam pads. The middle tray has bio balls, ceramic rings, and purigen. The top tray is full of lava rock (yes, I intended to have this much bio media so some could be used to seed other tanks if needed).

 

Where do you get the quilt batting and what is its cost? I'm setting up my 36 gallon sump about 4' long, and want 1/4 floss 1/4 lava rock 3/8 refugium and 1/8 return. As well as fill my other tanks. We all can't be as rich as you haha!

Hello,

You can purchase the roll of Batting Material at WalMart for around $17, photos in post #1 above.

Since this thread was created back in 2012, I have stopped using the Batting Material and am currently using Reusable Eshopps Filter pads in the link below:


These pads can be cut to fit most any filter and can be used over and over, saving some $. I soak the pads in bleach water solution for about 48 to 72 hours, rinse them, let them air dry and they are ready to use again.

Mamajin,

I would place a micron pad on top of the other filter pads. Remember, micron pads will clog easily and may need to be replaced in a day or two.

You can really add the micron pad anytime you feel it's necessary.

Ken

 

Ken,

Just a quick question. Why do you soak so long in the bleach water? Doesn't this hasten the break-down of the pads. I know clothing becomes less durable the more it is exposed to chlorine bleach.

I was always under the impression from everything I've read, that contact with a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes was all that was needed for sanitation purposes. That is what we are taught for cleaning medical surfaces and equipment. Plus, doesn't the chlorine dissipate long before 48 to 72 hours is up?

Just wondering about your reasoning. Does it help with the actual physical cleaning? Is it simply a convenience thing? Or, maybe like many things I do, just because that is what I do.

 

Good morning,

Yes, soaking the pads for at least 48 hours helps with the actual physical cleaning. I've tried it for 24 hours and the pads do not rinse as clean compared to 48 hours or more. Even though the bleach may dissipate after 24 hours, soaking longer helps tremendously.

There has been no issues with the bleach eating away at the pads. None at all.

Ken

 

Thanks, figured you probably had a reason.

 

Hello,

You can purchase the roll of Batting Material at WalMart for around $17, photos in post #1 above.

Since this thread was created back in 2012, I have stopped using the Batting Material and am currently using Reusable Eshopps Filter pads in the link below:


These pads can be cut to fit most any filter and can be used over and over, saving some $. I soak the pads in bleach water solution for about 48 to 72 hours, rinse them, let them air dry and they are ready to use again.

Mamajin,

I would place a micron pad on top of the other filter pads. Remember, micron pads will clog easily and may need to be replaced in a day or two.

You can really add the micron pad anytime you feel it's necessary.

Ken

I ran across this thread while looking for information on diy filter floss. When you say "over and over," how long have you found that these hold up? I figure eventually they do wear down? Have you determined a cost comparison as to how much you're saving over the old batting you were using? Thanks!!

 

Good morning,

I have been using the Micron Filter pads for at least, a little over 4 years and I have yet to throw one out. The price I paid was around $12.40 (30" x 36" pad, cut to fit) compared to $17 for the roll of WalMart floss. I figure I used 3 rolls of the floss per year if not more. So it's a nice little savings.

Note: the Micron Pads do not have to be used around the clock. They can be used for water polishing purposes once a week or every other week, or whenever you want.

Ken

 

Will this work with a 30 gal. tank?

 

You explained that very well, very informative/helpful-thank you.

 

Will this work with a 30 gal. tank?

HI & welcome & thank-you for reviving this thread! I didn't join until Jan 2014 & totally missed it. Ken is always full of great information! Thanks to him too!

 

Will this work with a 30 gal. tank?

Yes, using the filter floss (batting material) and Micron Filter Pads will work for most every aquarium filter since you are actually cutting it to fit.

Since I posted this thread, I have switched from Batting Material to Filter Pads. Only having 1 tank up and running, my 265g, using the filter pads in the link below have helped to save me a little bit of $. Every penny helps these days! These pads are reusable. After 4 or 5 days of use, I soak them in bleach water solution for at least 48 hours, rinse them, let them air dry and they are ready to use again. I keep a nice supply of the pads on hand. Normally, I can use the same pad for many months.

Do not wash these pads in the washing machine to do possible SOAP ISSUES!

These filter pads can be cut to fit your filter as well:


Not only do I use these in my Eshopps 300 Wet/Dry, I cut pads to fit my Aqua Clear 50 that I use on my 55 gallon drum for prefiltering water for water changes, along with a cut to fit Micron Filter Pad.

Ken

 

TTVert's question has been moved to it's own there.
If someone can help here's the link: