Additional Filter/Bacteria Media Question

[SwordTaleLair]

I have an emperor 400 filter on my new 75 gallon tank. It came with dual customizable filter containers which allows flexibility in what I run through the filter. I was interested in finding a coarse material I could cut up and place in these cartridges to provide more surface area for bacteria to grow.

I remembered that I had a box of spun glass air filter material that is very coarse which was supposed to be used with my new AC unit. I modified the filter to carry a better filtration media in my AC unit, so I had this left over.

The box states it is spun glass as mentioned, Its white on one side and blue on the other. Its loosely spun like those really bad horsehair style blue air filters, but this is loose, not bound by a frame.

If I were to rinse it real well in hot water, can anyone suggest why this would be a bad idea? Do you have any other "cheap" suggestions I could use instead?

Thanks.

[Lady Hobbs]

That's fiberglass. I wouldn't use it.

[gadget228]

Your talking about the extra media cartridge that came with your 400 and filling it with bio-media right, I'm asking because the coffee hasn't kicked in quite yet.

My choice would be the ceramic pellets that Aquaclear filters use as bio-media, your LFS should carry them and they come in several different sizes so it should be easy to find ones that will fit your extra 400 cartridge.

[Lady Hobbs]

OOPS. Believe I read that wrong. I thought he was talking about Air Conditioning filters.

*more coffee, please*

[gadget228]

Well if you read that wrong then so did I, when the OP says AC Unit I took it as Air Conditioner Unit and filter material made from spun glass is fiberglass and shouldn't be used.

[funkman262]

I would suggest Fluval Biomax media

[SwordTaleLair]

Well if you read that wrong then so did I, when the OP says AC Unit I took it as Air Conditioner Unit and filter material made from spun glass is fiberglass and shouldn't be used.

Gadget228 and Lady Hobbs read the post correctly, i was talking about an Air conditioner filter media. I didn't exactly know if it would work or not. I have a lathe and have heard of shredding pvc pipe into thin strips to make host media for bacteria in aquaculture and pond filters. I had the fiberglass filter media left over, not being used, and wanted to check to see if it was a viable option. before shredding some PVC. I know that the "sponge" media that comes with new filters is just plastic as well.

I take it in the short posts that idea would be a definite NO. :ssmile: I didn't think so either, but wanted to consult the oracle here first.

Thanks folks!! God Bless.