I have read that using a fiberglass screen tripple layered and positioned with wooden "shafts" on the return side of a mechanical filter works as a bio-filter. Are there any risk, or does this not work?
fiberglass screen as bio-filter
- Thread starter star2one
- Start date
Or you can use a bag of little green army men or hair curlers.
What you want is something that is fish safe and offers a large surface area. Non-clogging and light wieght is good, cheap is good.
Now, you get more surface area out of a sponge than you do a set of screens. Screens take up less room than army men.
You can use lots f different things. Some are better than others, the 3 layer screens would work well as long as they don't clog.
What you want is something that is fish safe and offers a large surface area. Non-clogging and light wieght is good, cheap is good.
Now, you get more surface area out of a sponge than you do a set of screens. Screens take up less room than army men.
You can use lots f different things. Some are better than others, the 3 layer screens would work well as long as they don't clog.
thanks, but a question?
fiber glass is safe to use right? I understand the clogging could be an issue, however the way I am positioning it in the filter clogging should not be an issue.
fiber glass is safe to use right? I understand the clogging could be an issue, however the way I am positioning it in the filter clogging should not be an issue.
I wouldn't do it, as it's made from glass fibres and epoxy resin. The fibers are quite sharp and if one dislodged it could damage your fish...
That being said I don't see any reason why PLASTIC screen wouldn't work.
That being said I don't see any reason why PLASTIC screen wouldn't work.
window screen?
I was thinking of window screens when you posted this. I sort of recall vinly coated fibers of some sort last time I redid a window screen.
If the fiber glass was able to escape, I think it would tear up fish gills.
I was thinking of window screens when you posted this. I sort of recall vinly coated fibers of some sort last time I redid a window screen.
If the fiber glass was able to escape, I think it would tear up fish gills.
I wouldn't use it. like said before it could cause severe damage to your fish. If you want a biological filteration substrate, and you want a screen form, try something made of plastic, it would be far more safe. I kinda thought that something like a cut uo fly swatter might provide you with what you need. If i think of anything else I'll write it here.
Fiberglass window screen has been used for years in tanks without damage. There is a huge difference in fiberglass window screen amd fiberglass insulation - the latter would be dangerous, the former is totally safe.
BTW, many high-end custom ponds are fiberglass coated, and also are totally safe.
BTW, many high-end custom ponds are fiberglass coated, and also are totally safe.
fiberglass has been used in tanks? I'm just asking because I've seen how easy fiberglass can splinter and those little fibers are really nasty!
Fibre glass as used in ladder and variuos othe applications is very coarse, the resins which bind it are sunlight sensitive in many cases and dry out, deteriorate and eventually splinter crack and give off the nasty little fibre's. In the case of window screen, it is an extremely fine fibre, it is somewhat sunlight resistant compared to most fibr glass, and if it is in your tank it probably won't break down for 100 years or so. even if it did break down it is once again a very fine fibre that probably wouldn't create the splinters or damage of coarser FG. I have used glass screen for several differnt filter ideas for most of my aquarium years.