Poly-fil in a HOB filter

[FLFishChik]

So, I don’t know why I haven’t done this sooner, but I’ve been reading about other hobbyists putting poly-fil in their HOB filters. I have sponges and media rings in there now.., where would I place the poly-fil- in between?

[Guppysnail]

Polygon goes on the top as the finest end filter to catch smaller particles. It clogs quick. I only use it occasionally because it gunks up quickly. 

[rockfisher]

I rarely use it it clogs so fast. It does work well to remove tannins. If you have lots of visible particles floating around it works. All you can do it try it and see if you like it, and choose to use it all the time or in certain situations.

[Flumpweesel]

If I use it to polish I tend to pop it in a spare power filter and run along side the canister as everyone says it clogs super fast. 

I'm not really a fan of use once media I generally use kitchen sponge now instead.

[FLFishChik]

Thanks for your input everyone! I’ll have to research it a little more but, it might be something to consider on an “as needed” basis!

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/24/2022 at 8:36 AM, FLFishChik said:

So, I don’t know why I haven’t done this sooner, but I’ve been reading about other hobbyists putting poly-fil in their HOB filters. I have sponges and media rings in there now.., where would I place the poly-fil- in between?

Prefilter goes into the sponges, course to fine, then your filter floss or polyfil, then your ceramic media or other biological filtration, then your chemical media.

After 3-5 days you'd expect to see it dirty, but you can basically run it for 7-14 days without much fuss. Keep an eye on bypass and the filter not flowing when you're first learning how to use it.

[Patrick_G]

You can even take a sheet and lay it on the spillway. It catches fine particles and diffuses the flow too. 

[tolstoy21]

I use Poly-Fil in all my HOBs and box filters. It's my preferred mechanical filtration method. I use only it and ceramic media. I'll put it on top the ceramics. Depending on the tank, it can fill and need to be replaced quickly, or it can last a couple weeks. 

Edited December 26, 2022 by tolstoy21

[TOtrees]

Reinforcing comments above re order of media. Coarse sponge at the bottom, with filter floss or poly-fil on top of that. Then ceramic media on top of the poly-fil. This removes as much coarse and fine detritus before the water gets to the ceramic or bio rings, so that it can do the leg work of housing lots of bb without getting clogged up. 

In terms of maintenance, I look for signs of bypass or significantly reduced flow/performance from the filter as my indicator of when it’s time to do maintenance. The coarse sponge and ceramic rings get a thorough rinse and are re-used, the filter floss gets discarded and replaced. Unless I need seeded media for another tank.

[Pepere]

Filter floss can also be rinsed and reused.  It may not be the most expensive item from a cost standpoint, but I do prefer not just throwing it in the landfill while it has plenty of life in it.