Lazarus

Since I was getting tired of constantly dripping, I was out this morning looking for some blue reticulated foam aquarium filter medium that was touted in another forum. Well I found it and it was $9.99 US for 3 Magnum filter covers. The bag was opened so I looked in... it was about 5/16" thick and about 4" X 6" times two layers thick. There were three of them, so there was enough medium to make cart fillers for the next ten years since these are suppose to be rinse and reuse.

Right next to it was some other stuff called Aqua Clear filter insert foam in three different sizes. The 50 gal. size was about the size of a standard kitchen sponge for $1.99 US. Now since I am currently on a low budget I picked up the Aqua Clear. It looked like the foam had larger holes in the network of expanded foam, and the would need some extra cutting to get the correct size, but what the hell, I'm game.

When I got it home I got out my box cutters and started cutting layers about 5/16" inch thick. No problems. Cut one that was sized to fit perfectly (uncompressed) in a 901 cart (I use 901 cart tips on my 510 and my 901). Filled it with juice and it vaped like a demon, but the damn thing leaked like a sieve in my 510...crap.

Next I cut one that was about 50% larger than the cart both ways and stuffed it in the cart. Vaped like demon but still leaked a little. Then I cut a piece that was twice the size of the cart and folded it up to fit and stuffed that sucker in there...eureka! That's the ticket.

Even when you fold this stuff up and compress it, It wicks like crazy. The first time I ever vaped a 510 battery dead without topping off.

The next time you're in the pet store, grab a box. For $1.99 US you can't go wrong.

phreique

So do you get that weird wet dog taste when you're close to the end of vaping the thing dry? It's almost like a swampy taste. ugh! I HATE that! I'm sure it can't be good for you either.

-Phreique

Lazarus

You mean the burnt plastic washbucket flavor? I haven't let it run dry yet. I'm only running it on my 510 w/901 whistle tip so far, and top off at each battery change. I have put up to 8 drops to top off. I usually get 12 drops in a new cart, so I'de say it wicks pretty good. No foul taste yet. The flavor is actually pretty good even when the battery kicks.

VtVapor

Sounds sort of like the stuff I'm using. There's Fluval (white):

and then there's the (coarse) vacuum filters (black):


and yeah, the big "holes" in the foam seem to allow it to wick much better than the polyfill style of filler.

Generic

Thanks for the info. Gonna have to try it.

The"tulle" that I'm using in great but it is a drag cutting, folding, and fiddlin' around with it. I'll have to do a side by side test and then I'll forget to post the results. Sorry- just being realistic here :-|

Y'all be cool!

-Generic

Snarkyone

You are not the first to suggest that I have called the pet store and found out they carry it near me. I also just picked up 16oz of PG for $12 at Walgreens from the pharmacy. Just go and ask the pharmacy for some liquid Propylene Glycol like they use in mixing compounds and they can order it no problem if it's not in stock.

newbie

vtvapor, those seem to be better than the ones included in the cartridge. which one is better? the white fluval or the black one? or are they just the same? where do you buy the black one and what is it called?

Snarkyone

The black ones are vacuum cleaner filters, the Fluval is the aquarium water filters. I use the Fluval and it is perfect especially in the 510 cut to size.

Generic

I'm gonna have to try the Fuval but I haven't been able to find it in Nearby Hicktown, MI. I have one more place to try, though.

I have found "tulle" to be the best so far but I would rather be able to cut a slug of Fluval and be done with it rather than having to play arts and crafts every time I want to restore a cart.

Yeah- I flunked "cutting" in kindergarten and it's been downhill ever since. I run with scissors but they only let me have the blunt ones so it's "safe".

-Generic

Rocketman

I bet one sheet of Fluval 4 would make a decent "supplemental" packaging material, you know "request the Fluval packaging method for just $2 more" It's about $8 for a 4 sheet box, right?

Snarkyone

Right around there, I got mine for around $7 for a 4 pack of the 2 Plus Fluval. Generic I have some and I live in Michigan, if you can't find it let me know and I can send you some to check out and if you like it I can buy it and send it along if need be.

Didn't think of it that way but at that price that's pretty damn expensive packaging material for shipping stuff, lol! I bet I could sell half the sheets of Fluval I have now and still have enough for years, lol! I also found some PG locally as well at the Walgreens Pharmacy $12 for 16oz. A real steal considering what I see it being sold for on some sites. Hmmm maybe a Fluval/PG combo pack is a good thing to sell....lol!

VtVapor

Honestly, they seem about the same. I have found that I prefer the black for 2 reasons: First, it matches the color of the cart. I know, that seems picky, but I like it. Second, I don't feel the need to wash it out. The white turns yellow/brown as the nicotine gets older/degrades and starts looking icky. And you can't see that change in the black filter. So, since I never remember to wash my carts, the black is my friend.

I got mine at Sears in the vacuum supply section.

sweett4rt

Which is better the PG or the VG food grade?

Generic

Hey thanks but I scored some today- the pet store was out of stock it appears cuz they were loaded up today. I'm testing a cart as I type. I like the fact that I cut a slug to size in seconds. Even if it is less efficient than the tulle I've been using it sure is a time-saver.

Okay- gotta go rake the dog; My St. Bernard is blowing his coat. Hey! Maybe Ill try a dog-hair cart filler! Ehhhh.... Never mind.

-Generic

sweett4rt

Has anyone tried the Tip Top filter plugs that are used when rolling your own cig? Wouldn't they hold a nice bit of liquid?

PREMIER ROLL YOUR OWN CIGARETTE FILTER TIPS BAG OF 200 - eBay (item 220481249675 end time Oct-15-09 09:45:35 PDT)

Quite cheap!

Lazarus

Yup, they don't wick that well. About as good as poly-fil

I have 2 dogs...I always have some dog hair in my cart filler

Generic

I've got freakin' dog hair in my EVERYTHING! I vacuum every day but when one or more of the guys are blowing their coat you'd never know it. Menard the St. Bernard is shedding by the pound.

Ugh.


Oh yeah- The Fluval works well. I think the tulle empties the cart better but the Fluval wins for convenience sake hands down. I cut enough slugs to get me through the next year or three. Good deal- one less tedious task!

-Generic

damunster

Cats are my hairy problem. Bet you guys don't have hair balls to clean up either. lol

Snarkyone

I got cats and a dog so I win! I will be selling bag fulls of it for $100 a bag, how many can I put you down for? Glad to hear that the Fluval is working for you, I find it works great and it is super convenient like you said. I love how you can cut the strips to size and they slide right in and NO LEAKAGE which is a real pain in the mouth. Never tried tulle, is that another name for wool nibs which others have stated work well?

tandera

I just came from a pet shop where i bought this filter (idk what the common use of it).
I cut it by double size of my 510 cart, stuffed and filled up with juice.

This stuff really works better than common cart filler. It's dropped top off/drip by half or more!

Sorry, i'm using my cellphone cam

Attached Thumbnails

sweett4rt

You know those WOW chamois that are supposed to pick up tons of water..would that work do you think?

Snarkyone

You are talking about the Shamwowie? I have cut up a little part of one to use and it appeared to work ok it does suck up the juice fine not too convinced it wicks it up to the atomizer so well though. I also got just a tad bit paranoid after only using it a little bit because I wasn't sure what it was made of and didn't want to inhale something that I should not be. If someone knows what they are made of that would be something to know.

Tandera, that looks like a water filter for aquariums somewhat like the Fluval that I talked about, except that is black and has bigger holes. Fluval is the brand name of the one I used. I saw the black ones like you have pictured there, but the holes seemed to be just a bit too big and too far apart to be great at soaking up liquid compared to the Fluval one. I can't say for sure how it works compared to Fluval since I have not used it.

Generic

Fluval follow-up:

Having used Fluval for a few days I can say that while it works well it does not wick as quickly nor does it empty a cart as well as tulle. For convenience, though, it can't be beat. I out-vaped it numeroustimes- got the "dry" taste and had to let is rest for a minute to catch up.

I'm going to stick with using tulle but i will recommend Fluval as a quick and simple upgrade to the standard cart filler.

I also tried using brass pipe screens as suggested on the other forum. Again- it worked. It required a great amount of "tuning" to get it right. I'm not going to bother- I think it is way too easy to tear up the bridge if the carts were to somehow rotate.

The search for the Holy Grail continues...

Be well all!

-Generic

sweett4rt

Ok I may be getting a little weird on this filter stuff but would a natural cotton cord or thin rope work as a filter? I know cotton hold a lot of water when wet and cotton was used as wicks in candle making...Ok someone come tell me I'm wrong lol

Kaye

I got the same Fluval pictured in one of VtVapor's earlier posts in this thread and I'm very happy with it. It vapes just fine, taste seems to be smoother than the original cart material and wool nibs (which I tried a few weeks ago), and it's SO DANG EASY to make a zillion filters in no time! I had been looking for a different Fluval product recommended in a video on the ECF but both local pet stores have been out for more than a month and since I got this, I'm through looking. I can't imagine the Pyramid Tea Bag material would be so much better than this that the trouble you have to go to to make the filters would be worth it. And one box with 2 filters is a lifetime supply! This is just snip, snip, snip and you're done (yeah, guys, I know: that's what the doctor said about that minor operation....) I highly recommend the Fluval VtVapor recommended and Generic tried.