Native_Tanks Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Hi all My new cold water marine aquarium Sump is chewing through filter wool at an astounding rate!!! It works well (maybe too well) but within two weeks it is a solid brown colour and the water starts to back up behind it. To date I have never tried to clean and reuse it (I have just dumped it and replaced with new wool) as I thought that to get the fine particles out of the middle of the wool would be next to impossible. Can anyone suggest; 1. A method of cleaning. 2. An alternative to filter wool that is perhaps easier to clean and reuse, ie: machine washable...... or 3. A bulk supplier of filter wool. Thanks Brent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 OK. Go barefooted and hold it on the concrete path and blast it with the hose, turning it over till it shows no signs of dirt. Works well, BUT remember that using the chlorinated water has killed all the good greeblies that were in it. You can do this as often as you like till it starts to disintergrate. Oh!! Your feet get a good clean too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native_Tanks Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Bloody hell You do know that I'm in Wellington in the middle of WINTER! But maybe a large container in a nice hot shower would achieve the same result. No soap. and I know my toes would appreciate it! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidb Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Doesn't matter as much in a marine tank about getting rid of good bacteria Alan, Mechanical filtration isn't such a big deal (As long as you have a decent skimmer). Filter wool comes in big bales if you want to get more. Not sure where from. Micron filter bags are another idea. Attached to the overflow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native_Tanks Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Micron filter bags sound like a good idea. any suggestions where to get them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native_Tanks Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Maybe I could use gumboots? or hand wash in the sink using a colander to support the wool. That way I have the option of bare feet or gumboots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Don't be such a sooky!! 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 use sponges instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I second that. Easier to clean and last a very long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Any time I've used filter wool I just rinse it out in the sink. Seems to work fine, then throw it back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I use the stuff from dress makers shop. Down here in CHCH its called Spotligth. About $25.00 for 3-4 metres by about 1 meter wide you can also get bales of floss as well there.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I can make you some up if you want? Just tell me the size and how many you want Flick me a email if keen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I put my filter wool in a bucket of water and squeeze and rub it though like handwashing keep rinsing the water till it runs clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I just make a new one and throw out the old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native_Tanks Posted July 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I have just been to Spotlight and what we call filter wool, they call it Wadding. 1.4m wide and selling for $8 a meter. Problem solved. Alan if your ever down this way you will have to give me a practical demonstration and then we could go out to the Cook Strait (South coast) to collect some more critters for my tank....barefoot Speaking of the South Coast, the Island Bay Marine Education Center is having a free open day this Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Lots of fish, Octopus and rock pool critters to look at, an absolute must for the kids and fans of the sea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 yeah i go to spot light too, except when ever i go its usely all sold out :evil: be care full tho sometimes can be treated with anti mod againts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 be care full tho sometimes can be treated with anti mod againts Look out Alan! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 I went into spotlight Rotorua yesterday and they wanted $18 for a piece of wadding 1.5metres long by 200mm wide and 20mm thick. (filter wool at lfs is cheaper) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 The only thing I get from down in the Cook Strait when I'm there are the mozzie larvae. You guys are so spoilt with that source of food. Just have to watch out for those angry fur-seals with cod-liver-oil breathe and dirty teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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