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Reusable Wool Filter Media


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#1 Tonster76

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 12:48 PM

Hi all,

 

I was just wondering if anyone could is aware or could recommend a reusable wool filter.

 

I keep going through little wool filters at 99c each or so....

 

There must be a material out there which is just as good as a mechanical filter which could be washed!?

 

There's this sort of thing for $4.40 but doesn't sound like it costs enough to be re-usable more than a couple of times.  And if you can only use it a couple of times... then I can't be bothered washing it and might as well pay the 99c each.

http://www.theaquari...ite Filter Wool

 

 

Am I talking crazy?

 

Tony

 



#2 dicky7

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 03:19 PM

most LFS sell rolls of white filter wool by the meter I know at least one in your area who is a PCS sponsor



#3 Delapool

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 03:39 PM

I wash mine and reuse but I find they have fibre lost or something from the washing. <br /><br />I think one canister has three washed wool filter pads in there to make up something decent.<br /><br /><br />Craig.

#4 Terry

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 09:18 PM

Go to Spotlight or Textile traders, they are craft/fabric stores you can buy dacron by the meter, it is very cheap. Filterwool is dacron it is not worth the time it takes to wash it.



#5 Tonster76

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 10:09 PM

Thanks a lot for the replies. 'Dacron' is a good tip thanks. So people just buy it as cheap as possible and time vs money it not worth piecing them together out of a washing machine.

My temptation is to change them sooner rather than later.. Starts to feel wasteful...

So does this mean the Dacron has some special properties that I wouldn't get from a piece if flannel for instance as a mechanical filter.

#6 Delapool

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 10:11 PM

I just clean mine under the hose (rotating though three filters for cleans). I don't know on the washing machine. <br /><br /><br />Craig.

#7 sydad

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Posted 29 January 2016 - 04:16 PM

So does this mean the Dacron has some special properties that I wouldn't get from a piece if flannel for instance as a mechanical filter.

 

Dacron is a synthetic fibre that does not deteriorate in water (which means that it is not affected by bacterial action, and is highly resistant to most chemicals normally associated with aquaria).

 

Flannel is made from cotton, which like sheep's wool is a natural fibre that will break down, primarily by biodegradation, in the aquarium. This makes such materials totally unsuited for aquarium use.

 

I cannot believe that anyone would attempt to wash a filter material in a washing machine; particularly if the process used involved the use of washing detergent of any kind. This would be just a recipe for disaster!

 

Syd.



#8 malawiman85

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Posted 29 January 2016 - 09:28 PM

Its so cheap to buy that you would neverbwaste your time cleaning it again.

#9 Tonster76

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Posted 03 February 2016 - 08:19 AM

Thanks a lot for the responses and advice, fully appreciate it.  I see the light...   just buy it cheap in bulk...  Syd thanks for those comments about the properties of the wool. And I see there are challenges involved with cleaning anything... (no detergent)... agitation seems to break it up...Recognise the importance of the fibres of Dacron.

 

I will come back to you all when I am rich and have invented/discovered a re-usable material with similar properties of Dacron but a little more robust so it can be rinsed and re-used.



#10 chrishaigh82

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Posted 10 November 2017 - 10:25 PM

Bump on this old thread, people seemed outraged that you would wash their fine / wool filter due to the low cost of purchasing.  Running 4 small to large tanks of heavily stocked cichlids means I'm changing fine filter material 3 x per week on most tanks.  It's not so much the cost savings to wash them, more that it drives me bonkers cutting the material into rectangles for each sump.

 

Has any one tried sludge filters in their sumps with good or poor results.  

 

https://www.thetechd...ds_p/wnq-1d.htm

 

Assuming I'm not the only fool washing (with no chemicals or detergents) has any one got a recommendation for the most gentle washing machine so I don't end up with a ball of clean pre filter material.  My washer died today.


Edited by chrishaigh82, 12 November 2017 - 10:32 PM.


#11 Delapool

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Posted 14 November 2017 - 07:44 AM

Nice topic On the canister filters I’ve swapped out of wool to layers of fine filter sponge. Still hosing everything but well established planted tank.

Guess fine sponge wouldn’t work?

#12 chrishaigh82

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Posted 15 November 2017 - 09:09 AM

Nice topic On the canister filters I’ve swapped out of wool to layers of fine filter sponge. Still hosing everything but well established planted tank.

Guess fine sponge wouldn’t work?

 

I've been using the fine white filter rolls that you can buy in bulk from LFS, and one of our receptionists used to clean them in a super gentle washing machine, my front loader and the offices top loader just ripped it all up and turned it into a giant ball.  I think I'm going to have to buy a bulk load of the material and trial and error cleaning it, perhaps if i shred a heap of it into giant balls of fine media I could on sell it as fine filter material for canisters.



#13 Westie

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Posted 21 November 2017 - 12:49 PM

I probably have some decent filter sponge mat you can cut to size if you want it

I find it's better than filter wool






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