Aquatic Experts Bonded Filter Pad 12 x 72

The Aquatic Experts Bonded Filter Pad is a large roll of blue and white polyester fiber held together with resin. It’s a mechanical filter media: water passes through and the fibers trap floating debris, food and plant bits.

Size

One pad measures 12 inches by 72 inches by 3/4 inch thick. That’s enough to cut many inserts for a canister tray, HOB media slot or sump chamber.

Bonded construction

The resin bond keeps the fibers from shedding and helps the pad hold its shape as water pushes through it. The blue side is the coarser, more open face. Point it upstream so large debris is caught first while the white side catches finer particles behind it. The open construction slows clogging.

Where it works

• Pre-filter in wet/dry filters and sumps.
• Replacement pad in canister trays.
• Turtle tanks and terrariums with heavy waste loads.

Maintenance

Aquatic Experts suggests rinsing or changing the pad every 1 to 2 weeks. Pulling out trapped waste before it breaks down keeps nitrate and phosphate lower. Since the pad is cheap per cut, replacing it is often easier than rinsing it.

Cutting tips

Lay the pad flat and trace around your old insert or the tray itself with a marker. Cut with sharp scissors a little outside the line so the pad presses against the walls. A snug fit stops water from going around the media instead of through it. Store the rest of the roll in a clean bag away from dust and sprays.

Pairing

For finer water polishing, follow it with the Aquatic Experts polishing pad. Add a bag of activated carbon after it if you want chemical filtration.