Poret Decay

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
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Washington DC
Those close up shots show your poret looks completely different than the stuff I have! even the cells are shaped different (like tight and granular). Is that 20ppi?
 

phreeflow

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2007
1,920
2,536
179
SoCal
I’m sold! All my foam ends of looking like FINWIN’s. Never bought Poret due to the cost compared to other foam but I can’t stand how fast my Fluval foam breaks apart. Gonna go to Swiss Tropicals now
 

deeda

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2008
4,089
3,052
1,279
Medina, Ohio
I use 20 PPI for HMF filters and a combination of 20 PPI and 30 PPI for my Eheim canister filters. I can't remember if I'm using 20 PPI or 30 PPI for my Aquaclear filters.

Double check the Swiss Tropicals website as Stephan has or used to have suggestions based on which type of filter you have and what you want to achieve particle wise. He also offers tips on how to cut the foam to fit properly to avoid bypass.
 

celebrist

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
May 7, 2013
3,057
2,919
179
alaska
I bought mine from Swiss tropics direct as well black foam) nine years ago I believe. I use it as sump "baffles " to separate areas and clean it once a year but also have mts and scuds helping keep it clean

WP_20150718_021.jpg
 
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Sassafras

Dovii
MFK Member
Feb 17, 2009
304
445
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USA
Here is how I use Poret in my divided sump. It has been in use for 4 years with no signs of degradation. I rinse it outdoors with a water hose about 3-4 times per year and bash it against a block wall to knock the dirty water out of it. About three rinses leaves it clean enough for me. It always stays wet and never sees UV. I'm voting that UV is the breakdown culprit. I've also posted a picture of some 20PPI that I've had sitting dry and unused for 4 years. It is no longer the bright blue that it was when new, but still seems to have all the other properties intact. My primary bio-media is an expanded clay pellet used in hydroponics plant culture. There are many brands, I think mine was by Hydroton.

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Midwater

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2021
1,441
2,322
154
Thailand
Six months later, and the poret is decaying even more. I am not sun drying it any more but it is getting worse. Rather than catching debris, the foam is now creating its own debris.

On the hunt now for better quality foam.
 

Midwater

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2021
1,441
2,322
154
Thailand
I am thinking of ditching poret altogether, and just use japanese mat instead. Any thoughts?
 

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,694
9,023
188
Washington DC
Six months later, and the poret is decaying even more. I am not sun drying it any more but it is getting worse. Rather than catching debris, the foam is now creating its own debris.

On the hunt now for better quality foam.
Ran into the same thing. Those pieces I posted about before are long gone. Turned into moon holy rock crumbles. I've been using the aquaclearr 110 foam blocks with great result. Very firm and easy to clean.
 
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