TinaPax-Peeks Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Can I use rolled cotton gauze as bio-filter material in my HOB? And/or in the containers holding my filter plants? I am only asking because I have a HUGE supply of this stuff. I keep telling the V.A. to not send anymore but they continue to include it with every wound care restock order. So, rather than toss it, I am exploring other uses. I am open to any other ideas that occur to you on how these could be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rube_Goldfish Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 (edited) On 6/26/2024 at 11:11 AM, TinaPax-Peeks said: Can I use rolled cotton gauze as bio-filter material in my HOB? And/or in the containers holding my filter plants? I am only asking because I have a HUGE supply of this stuff. I keep telling the V.A. to not send anymore but they continue to include it with every wound care restock order. So, rather than toss it, I am exploring other uses. I am open to any other ideas that occur to you on how these could be used. My hunch is that in order to have enough surface area to hold a good colony of bacteria, you'd have to have enough layers that it unacceptably slow the flow, but I'm just speculating. It sounds like it could be a very nice filter floss alternative for mechanical filtration, though. EDIT: Wait, I just remembered that cotton biodegrades in water. So it might end up making a mess unless you've only got it in long enough to filter out fine particles and then remove it before it becomes fine particles! If you end up experimenting with it, please let us know how it goes? Edited June 26 by Rube_Goldfish 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlindsey Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 On 6/26/2024 at 11:46 AM, Rube_Goldfish said: My hunch is that in order to have enough surface area to hold a good colony of bacteria, you'd have to have enough layers that it unacceptably slow the flow, but I'm just speculating. It sounds like it could be a very nice filter floss alternative for mechanical filtration, though. EDIT: Wait, I just remembered that cotton biodegrades in water. So it might end up making a mess unless you've only got it in long enough to filter out fine particles and then remove it before it becomes fine particles! If you end up experimenting with it, please let us know how it goes? Material such as poly fill, filter floss, are mainly used for mechanical filtration. Also would need to be replaced. I suggest a aquarium pads that can be cut to size. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaPax-Peeks Posted June 26 Author Share Posted June 26 On 6/26/2024 at 12:31 PM, Tlindsey said: Material such as poly fill, filter floss, are mainly used for mechanical filtration. Also would need to be replaced. I suggest a aquarium pads that can be cut to size. If I were buying the stuff, yes. But, I have an overabundance of cotton gauze so replacing it is not a negative. If it can work as mechanical filtration, then at least it serves a purpose before being thrown away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 I definitely wouldn’t do that. Once it gets kicked into your aquarium, it’ll be a struggle to get it out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaPax-Peeks Posted June 26 Author Share Posted June 26 On 6/26/2024 at 11:46 AM, Rube_Goldfish said: EDIT: Wait, I just remembered that cotton biodegrades in water. So it might end up making a mess unless you've only got it in long enough to filter out fine particles and then remove it before it becomes fine particles! If you end up experimenting with it, please let us know how it goes? Oh, that is a good point! So, the question becomes, "how long would this gauze hold up before it turned into a nightmare?!" Seeing as this gauze is meant for temporary use in wound care, it isn't expected to see extended use. It is absorbent but ... 🤔 If I can think of a way to experiment without risking a tank crash, I will keep y'all posted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rube_Goldfish Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 It doesn't help your fishkeeping, but I guess you could just donate it to a local clinic or school or hospital or something? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaPax-Peeks Posted June 26 Author Share Posted June 26 On 6/26/2024 at 2:45 PM, Rube_Goldfish said: It doesn't help your fishkeeping, but I guess you could just donate it to a local clinic or school or hospital or something? I have tried but they can't accept it. 🤔 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rube_Goldfish Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 On 6/26/2024 at 2:55 PM, TinaPax-Peeks said: I have tried but they can't accept it. 🤔 Ah, bummer. Well, if you can't figure out a fishkeeping use, I guess you'll just have to be a mummy for Halloween! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyxxl Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 It would work, I have actually had to reuse it for wounds before, it will hold reasonably well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLFishChik Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Humane Societies and Rescues are always in need of medical supplies. Maybe donate to them if you have one nearby! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaPax-Peeks Posted June 27 Author Share Posted June 27 On 6/26/2024 at 8:21 PM, FLFishChik said: Humane Societies and Rescues are always in need of medical supplies. Maybe donate to them if you have one nearby! I hadn't thought of that! I will check with those! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galabar Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 I would say that cotton gauze would be just as good as filter floss for mechanical filtration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 @Galabar with the thickness of gauze, it would literally do close to nothing before become too dirty for water to pass through it. Also it will break down, and fall into the aquarium in pieces. This is sort of like, you can make a pizza with a match, but you probably shouldn’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggaz Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Hmm. I used cotton in my hardscape project, and the thought did cross my mind that it is biodegradable. But it's getting coated in superglue... How long until my underwater construction projects collapse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisnobody Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Coated in superglue and used as filter floss are the 2 extremes. You should be fine, but sitting in my hob waiting to shred into the aquarium, not so much. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Cotton won’t last long in an aquarium / filter since each strand is so fine it will biodegrade quickly. Cotton thread used for tying moss or plants to wood or rocks degrades quickly enough the moss / plants don’t always have enough time to attach themselves before the thread has degraded. If you change it every week or less it would probably work great for clarifying water. I would reach out to vet clinics and humane societies / rescues. Vet clinics and humane societies are much more likely to accept donated supplies since they often are running on a thin thread of profitability / survival. Plus if the vet clinic doesn’t need as much as you have, they will often then donate the extra to a humane society or rescue. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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