Filter Media

"Racf" wrote in message
link.net...

"Eddie" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have some questions about the filter media in my top filter.

Below is the filter media that I currently use :
Top layer : Green Floss
Second layer : Active Carbon
Last layer : Bio - Foam

Is my arrangement correct and what is the proper sequence of layer?

Regards,
Eddie Tan



Looks fine to me. I use white floss that I get at Wal-Mart for $2.00
for a big bag in the Sewing stuff department out of the big hopper. I
picked out a more expensive floss once, but it was short springy fibers
that I decided were no good for filter material. So I still use the
cheap polyester filler.

just an FYI

Myself, I have concerns about using products which are not designed for
constant water immersion and living creatures. Even in the aquarium
trade we went through types of glass wool which were later found to have
fibres which would enter the water column and get trapped in gills (so I
heard), and then there were the filter wools which turned into a mass of
pulp, after a long exposure to the combination of debris & bacteria.

Floss used for pillow stuffing could conceivably be sprayed with an
anti-bacterial/fungal coating, which would make a better pillow, but not
a better filter. There are also such a variety of chemicals used to
whiten, clean, sterilize and make materials inert after manufacturing
processes, that I would be leery of putting them in my aquarium water.
As an example, the white floss used to stuff pillows, sold by Dupont is
mildew resistance = fungicide = death to fish at sufficient
concentrations.

Quote "are primarily used in seat cushions, back pillows, mattresses,
decorative and throw pillows, and hand-stuffed custom upholstery. DuPont
Dacron® clusters have superior loft and retention, and unlike natural
fibres, are hypo-allergenic, non-absorbent, and mildew-resistant"
unquote, found he
http://www.dupont.com/fiberfill/abou...on-story2.html

Even if you find out that it's non-toxic, the manufacturer is under no
obligation to keep to a non-toxic (when submerged in water) recipe, nor
are their buyers constrained from changing supply lines, as lower quotes
come up on these commodity items. Unless it's designated for aquarium
use, there is some risk to weigh against the savings (*sigh*, fungicides
and anti-bacterial potions).

I'm just forwarding this for general interest. Note that it would be
almost impossible (and very frustrating) to diagnose and treat fish which
were suffering from low level fungicide poisoning.

NetMax