DIY Mechanical Filter Media

Pantani · 11-15-2011, 10:57 AM

So after reading a few posts and doing a little research I've decided to forgo carbon in my filters unless Ive medicated the tank and need to remove the leftovers after water change outs. So now my question is what do you do for a penguin 350 & 330. I know they have the filter "mesh" for lack of a better term for sale in bulk at my local pet supply chain but how do you make that media rigid so it holds it shape when you install it in your filter. The ones with the carbon already integrated have a rigid plastic frame, don't I need something like that to support the "mesh". The first thing that pops in my head is just to cannibalize a couple of the filters with the carbon integrated and use that as the frame.

Does that sound about right or are there other better ideas?

Additionally for my fluval 405 should I just cut some of that "mesh"for to fit in the little baskets that I used to keep my carbon in?

Thanks in advance.

LPUIG73 · 11-15-2011, 06:10 PM

The idea of cannibalizing one of the existing cartridges of the penguin 350 & 330 and modifying it sounds good to me. That's the route I would take.. Then attaching your own mesh or media should be simple enough and there are various ways to do it..

Russell · 11-15-2011, 07:17 PM

Look here PG: DIY Penguin Filter Cartridges - PlantGeek.net
or google DIY penguin filter cartridge

KG4mxv · 11-15-2011, 07:21 PM

What would the advantage of not using the carbon?

Pantani · 11-15-2011, 08:58 PM

Well I am by no means an expert, or even really that knowledgeable, but here is a link to just one of the many articles I've read about Carbon in aquariums.

Carbon and aquariums

~Thanks for the link above Russell!

Pantani · 11-15-2011, 09:20 PM

Also, now that I'm thinking about it, should I throw some ceramic type bio rings in my Penguins too, to aid in the biological filtration?

In my 405 I have 2 of my trays filled about half way w/ biomax rings. Should I fill those trays to the brim? I've read of people using "scrubbies" in their filters. What I think they are talking about is "Scotch Brite". Anyone use those in their filters?

Thanks in advance.

~Maybe I should be asking this in the General Freshwater Forums as I've started to widen my original question line..?

Pantani · 11-16-2011, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I've carried on my further questions in the General Freshwater Forum so disregard the last questions.

11-15-2011, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pantani Pantani's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 70 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 10 Times Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	DIY Mechanical Filter Media So after reading a few posts and doing a little research I've decided to forgo carbon in my filters unless Ive medicated the tank and need to remove the leftovers after water change outs. So now my question is what do you do for a penguin 350 & 330. I know they have the filter "mesh" for lack of a better term for sale in bulk at my local pet supply chain but how do you make that media rigid so it holds it shape when you install it in your filter. The ones with the carbon already integrated have a rigid plastic frame, don't I need something like that to support the "mesh". The first thing that pops in my head is just to cannibalize a couple of the filters with the carbon integrated and use that as the frame. Does that sound about right or are there other better ideas? Additionally for my fluval 405 should I just cut some of that "mesh"for to fit in the little baskets that I used to keep my carbon in? Thanks in advance. __________________ 75 Gallon: Fluval 405, Eheim 2229, Penguin 330 - Heated 48" Hagen Glo Fixture w/ Dual T5HO & 48" 2x T8 1 Amazon Sword Plant, 2 Java Moss Rocks, Wisteria 1 Gold Gourami & 1 Blue Gourami 9 Harlequin Rasbora 5 Turquoise Rainbows & 15 Neon Tetra 1 Pictus Catfish & 1 Singapore Shrimp 1 Rainbow Shark & 1 Peppered Cory Catfish

11-15-2011, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
LPUIG73 LPUIG73's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 82 Name: Leo Puig Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 40 Times Said "Thanks" 17 Times Was Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media The idea of cannibalizing one of the existing cartridges of the penguin 350 & 330 and modifying it sounds good to me. That's the route I would take.. Then attaching your own mesh or media should be simple enough and there are various ways to do it..

11-15-2011, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Russell Russell's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 56 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 32 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media Look here PG: DIY Penguin Filter Cartridges - PlantGeek.net or google DIY penguin filter cartridge

11-15-2011, 07:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
KG4mxv Engineer KG4mxv's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 631 Name: Louis Charles Bruckner Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 59 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 265 Times in 260 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media What would the advantage of not using the carbon?

11-15-2011, 08:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pantani Pantani's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 70 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 10 Times Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media Well I am by no means an expert, or even really that knowledgeable, but here is a link to just one of the many articles I've read about Carbon in aquariums. Carbon and aquariums ~Thanks for the link above Russell! __________________ 75 Gallon: Fluval 405, Eheim 2229, Penguin 330 - Heated 48" Hagen Glo Fixture w/ Dual T5HO & 48" 2x T8 1 Amazon Sword Plant, 2 Java Moss Rocks, Wisteria 1 Gold Gourami & 1 Blue Gourami 9 Harlequin Rasbora 5 Turquoise Rainbows & 15 Neon Tetra 1 Pictus Catfish & 1 Singapore Shrimp 1 Rainbow Shark & 1 Peppered Cory Catfish

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11-15-2011, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pantani Pantani's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 70 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 10 Times Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media Also, now that I'm thinking about it, should I throw some ceramic type bio rings in my Penguins too, to aid in the biological filtration? In my 405 I have 2 of my trays filled about half way w/ biomax rings. Should I fill those trays to the brim? I've read of people using "scrubbies" in their filters. What I think they are talking about is "Scotch Brite". Anyone use those in their filters? Thanks in advance. ~Maybe I should be asking this in the General Freshwater Forums as I've started to widen my original question line..? __________________ 75 Gallon: Fluval 405, Eheim 2229, Penguin 330 - Heated 48" Hagen Glo Fixture w/ Dual T5HO & 48" 2x T8 1 Amazon Sword Plant, 2 Java Moss Rocks, Wisteria 1 Gold Gourami & 1 Blue Gourami 9 Harlequin Rasbora 5 Turquoise Rainbows & 15 Neon Tetra 1 Pictus Catfish & 1 Singapore Shrimp 1 Rainbow Shark & 1 Peppered Cory Catfish Last edited by Pantani : 11-15-2011 at 09:57 PM.

11-16-2011, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pantani Pantani's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 70 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 10 Times Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: DIY Mechanical Filter Media Thanks for the ideas. I've carried on my further questions in the General Freshwater Forum so disregard the last questions. __________________ 75 Gallon: Fluval 405, Eheim 2229, Penguin 330 - Heated 48" Hagen Glo Fixture w/ Dual T5HO & 48" 2x T8 1 Amazon Sword Plant, 2 Java Moss Rocks, Wisteria 1 Gold Gourami & 1 Blue Gourami 9 Harlequin Rasbora 5 Turquoise Rainbows & 15 Neon Tetra 1 Pictus Catfish & 1 Singapore Shrimp 1 Rainbow Shark & 1 Peppered Cory Catfish

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