HOB filter media

[mig]

I have a Penguin HOB filter and its about time to change those cartridges and I am getting tired of having to go out and spend a bunch of money on these things that only last about a month-- Is there a cheaper alternative I can put inside of it that would work? Or maybe something that lasts longer?

[sirknight]

What I would do is not use the carbon.
Take apart the cartridge, replace the floss with the blue and white Floss that comes in sheets, you can buy at pet smart (Just one store that sells it), cut it to size, use rubber bands to keep the cartridge together and you are done.

That should be a lot cheaper then replacing the cartridge once a month.

Also you should be able to raise them out with tap water and get a little more use out of them.

Joe

[jon carman]

I agree with joe. I have never used carbon. Water changes on a regular basis will do just as well.

[tomtom]

also you can try ebay,i know we should support your local fish store but savin some when you can,especially in todays economy.it all helps whether it food, filter media, or even filters

[razer27]

i cut the top dump the carbon out and pack them full of sponges

[jeremyh81]

Here's a product I've been meaning to purchase for my Penguin 200:

www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13370

I like how you can open the cartridge and add whatever media you want. You could replace the carbon media w/ a fine floss along with the sponge.

[yichieh]

what type of sponges are you guys referring to? and where can i pick these up?

[jon carman]

yichieh- they are talking about the bio sponge that comes with some filters. I use a product called poret foam, but there are many others that just house the bio bacteria. They last a long time.

[bunnie1978]

Another thing you can do to prolong the life of your filter media is add a prefilter sponge to your intake tube. I get the ones that are cylinder shape for $4 at the Critter and sew it into the shape/size I need with fishing line. It's especially awesome on tanks with sand because it stops it from getting into the filter.

[yichieh]

thanks guys! I'll definitely look into it.

[davidtcb1]

I use this stuff...really works great for me.

www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754135