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Hi everyone - I just thought I would share an experiment I am trying. A couple of weeks ago I put my filter media (ceramic balls) into a nylon stocking to make cleaning easier in the long run. ABout a week later my filter began to make a bit of a hum so I though that there was some clogging. Long story short -There was a nice slimy build up on the outside of the stocking, so I decided that the pantyhose was filtering out too much of the gunk from the media (maybe making it less effective in the long run) and took it off. Hum went away - But the water had been so so clean! I really hadnt noticed what a difference it had made until I took it out. Wow - it had been sparkling!

So I decided to try an experiment. I cut a round piece of plastic canvas (available at hobby lobby in the yarn section) to the size of my canister. I slipped a clean knee high stocking over it and cut off the excess. Then I put it on top of the carbon filter pad in the canister as the last stage of filtration. Again the water is fantastic! This is the best fine filtration I have ever had - and I have tried the filter floss, the magnums micron filter, etc. There are no floaties in the water at all - it is crystal!

Now I will have to see if it starts to clog and work the canister too hard. So far it doesnt seem to have effected the flow, but I have only had it back in there a couple of days. I am also hoping that since it is the final filter "pad" it will not get as gunky as it did around the media.

Any thoughts, any problems I should anticipate? So low tech with such a great short term result - I hope it lasts without problems!

So canvas covered in stockings?

Hmm... I will definitely get some canvas and put it as the top layer in my XP1. I love crystal water, and mine usually is, but sometimes I feel it could be a bit better. I am not going to use stockings though... those are not readily available to me.

ah come on chris. im sure if you dig in your closet you could find a pair. haha

Its plastic canvas. It is rigid plastic with holes in it like a grid. It is used to make crafts like rugs, the ubiquitous klennex box covers, etc. It is quite a bit different from canvas fabric which I dont think would work.

I want to see the camera footage of Chris buying panty hose at the drug store.

Daniel - you got rid of the slinky signature - I like the new one but the slinky was golden!

hmmm...I'll have to implement this into the last stage of filtration in my DIY filter. I'll let you know how it goes ^.^

ok I'm having a hard time picturing what you did could you maybe post a pic of what you did because I'm really interested in how you did it my water is clean but I think it could be a lot cleaner.

Are you talking about something like this:

http://www.aquariaplants.com/riccia1.jpg

That's what I'm picturing in my head. I get the stocking part but I'm not 100% sure of the canvas part.

Yeah spork, I think that's it. If it's not, I still think that would work well too.

I've always called it plastic grid, LOL. I've used it before for guinea pig enclosures as a suspended hammock. I was a little kid back in the day and didn't realise she'd eat it too

Yes that is exactly it. I used the round size and cut it down to the circumference of my canister. You can find it at hobby/craft stores. These sites just have pictures.

http://www.bjcraftsupplies.com/plasticC ... eets01.asp
http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=1691650

I will try to post a pic bu it might take a while.

Ah, I can make one without even buying anything!
Sweet!

The 2nd media seperator grid could just be covered! I am gonna ask my mom if she has any unused stockings hahaha

Update,
I put a stocking on the seperator grid yesterday, and this morning when I woke up, my water looks like crystal! Looks even better than before.

How in the world can your tank be even cleaner Chrisbarnett?!?!?!?!?!?!

hahaha

Oh, it did.

Just look at it!

The only time my 10 gallon would look like that was only the 1st day! Haven't had my 50 gallon long enough to tell how good the filter is. How long does your tank normally stay clear?

Can you show me some pics of your whole tank to give me some ideas? right now mine's empty!

I'm not really sure, probably a few weeks if I would let it go that long I'm guessing.

Check out my post in the photo gallery I just put up, it has a straight on shot of my tank. http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17951