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Old 04-23-2008, 12:51 PM   #1 (permalink)
jlroar
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Default substitute eheim blue Coarse pad

Ok. I hope someone has tried this and can let me know if this is a good idea or just stupid.

To buy 6 eheim blue coarse pads online it costs $30 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Matala-Blue-Filt...2em118Q2el1247
Matala Mat is about $40 shipped but would need to be cut down but I would be able to make at least 10 pads.

FilStar Filtration Pads are another option but I'm not sure if they are large enough to be cut down (if that makes any since). If they are large enough depth and width then I could just buy a Coarse Foam 6 pk and cut them down for about $20 shipped.

Any additionl suggestions are welcome.

James
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Old 04-23-2008, 02:17 PM   #2 (permalink)
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The blue pads seem to last about forever, I'm still using the original one in my 2028 and I've been running the thing for about a year and a half. So, I would just buy the real thing when the time came to swap the pad.
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Old 04-23-2008, 02:21 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Agreed, the blue pads are pretty much rinse and reuse. I haven't replace one yet in 3 years.
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Old 04-24-2008, 02:35 AM   #4 (permalink)
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The water flow has been really restricted and the blue pad is the only pad in my eheim. I have cleaned it to the point it looks clean from the outside but the water flow is just too restricted. The water does come out but the new eheim I got (2 months newer than the old one) is pushing quite a bit more water.

James
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Old 04-24-2008, 03:12 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Have you checked and cleaned the impeller on the unit in question?
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Old 04-24-2008, 04:16 AM   #6 (permalink)
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I'd opt for original replacements as well. The price difference really isn't much.

You can cut and fit any type foam pad but if it's a bit small/loose fitting the water may take the easier less restricted path around the pad, if the pad's too large/tight fitting the open cells of the foam can be compressed causing a reduction in flow.
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Old 04-24-2008, 02:01 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by riverrat View Post
Have you checked and cleaned the impeller on the unit in question?
Yes. I even use cotton swabs to make sure I get it thouraly clean. I'm not sure if this is common but I get a lot of brown goo buildup in the filter media. I only clean it once a month since it takes that long before I notice the slowdown to begin with. But now the older one is just not nearly as strong as the new one. Thanks all for the suggestions.

James
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Old 04-24-2008, 02:39 PM   #8 (permalink)
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I buy these
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