floor pads for filter

[Kaysbelle]

Which floor pads would be the best for a 55 gallon filter.  How many would I need - I want to put scrubbing in the top half of the filter.  Thanks.

[Reedman]

I bought mine from a local janitorial supply business - good price. 

I only bought the red ones - medium coarse.  I cut them up (use gloves if you value the skin on your hands) into approximately 4" pieces.  I put them in one of those large mesh bags for laundry.

Not sure how many you would need - I think at least 3 though.

[Jerry]

I got mine on line  very cheap.  I use it in the Skippy.  I must have 18 to 20 !  They work!

[spanishleprachaun]

I love using those BLACK stripping pads -- 23inch will fit perfect in 55gal drums. LOW SPEED.   Been using those kinds of pads for years now in the DIY barrel filters I install on ponds.   I have used a couple other colors like red to experiment with.   White is way to dense -- and will gum up in a heartbeat.  wonderful action of catching pond crap-- but downside is you better be on them every couple days , for if not.. they will channel or worst case, gum up against one another float up and then over flow a bio falls.

  Red is still kinda on the dense side for me.  I noticed they do catch a good amount of particulate, but require far more attention and sometimes will "channel" flow around the pads as they gum up faster.

the black are the least dense.  they allow for particulate capture, while going the distance before channeling water when they gum up.

here is where I get them :
best price-- and free shipping I've found

http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/MCO08385.html

hope that helps

carlos

[rdrboone]

I used a coarse black filter medium, that I got at www.watergarden.com, in my biofilter, a 50 gal Rubbermaid stock tank.  The filter medium is 1 1/4" thick and 56" wide.  It sells for $13.99/linear foot.  I cut it into 2" squares with a razor knife and put into black polyester mesh bags.  It works wonderfully.  My ponds are crystal clear in the growing season.   

Here is copy of the info on it from their website: (there is a photo of it on their website)

"Click to Enlarge
Fiber Filter Media (Black)
Qty.     Add to Cart
Only $13.99 ea.
Item Number: FMM045
   
Tell a Friend About This Item
Fiber Filter Media (Black)
1-1/4 inch Thick x 56 inch Wide cut to order (Black) Stiffer than the white media and longer lasting. (note: 56" width can vary, we have seen this as narrow as 54" and as wide as 60", but should be close 56")

The price shown is per linear foot. Enter the number of feet that you wish to purchase in the quantity box then click the "Add to Cart" button. The maximum for 1 piece is 20'. Orders over 20' must be for a 20' piece plus additional to qualify for discounted price."

Ruth

[prestongohlke]

For my home made filter i used cut to size washable air filters i got at H.D. for $5 on sale. Not this brand but the same type http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100351380

P

[lorraine1960]

i use hd air cindition filters also....they work great.have always used them...lorraine

[Lawrence of PA]

Is it best to cut into little pieces or cut to fit the barrel and use a stack of discs?

Larry
Central PA

[Esther]

NOOOO, don't cut them up... For one thing, there will always be little particles of the fiber let loose from cutting (been there, done that). And if you are intending to ever clean them, it will be a real pain to hose off all those little pieces. I used kitchen scrubbies in mesh bags for a while and they did work butttttt again, they were a pain to clean. Sold them and went to the round (I use green)(don't know the difference) floor scrubber pads to use in my biofilter (Skippy of UM 3-4 years maybe). They are soooo much easier to clean and hold up very well. Look at your choices and choose the ones that fit best. You of course can cut them to fit whatever tub/tank you are using. I made a rack from PVC to hold the pads up off the bottom to get good upflow.

[frloplady]

I have used floor scrubber pads.  I am going to bite the bullet and buy matala for the barrel filter this year.  The scrubbers work..but are a PITA imho to clean easily. 

Just set up a bio step 10 filter that has matala pads and a matala pump prefilter...I'm convinced...