Yeah, nobody wants to get sick or cause harm to ourselves. Strange that the MSDS for this type of foam essentially says it is okay so long as it isn't burning.
Eheim filterpad mod
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I want this to be safe as much as anyone, I loved the way it was working...superbly well. If the production of polyurethane foam involves that many harmful chemicals (benzene!? yikes), I will pass. If I find the original foam used (the blue sleeves) is safe from these toxins, I will give it a go. But in all seriousness, IF the aquarium pump filter material is polyurethane foam, I wouldn't advise anyone to use it.
Since I have been using this stuff for a short while now, not to mention the other people here using it, I decided to look into this further. As I said, nobody wants to use something that may be harmful to us!
While I can't confirm the exact process in making our "blue foam", I can say after some research that there are different types of polyurethane foam and further, we are talking about reticulated polyurethane foam, which is apparently different again from regular polyurethane foam. Also seemingly important is that with reticulated polyurethane foam, there are apparently two different methods to make the "finished product": thermal and chemical. The chemical method, much as it sounds, wouldn't be our preferred method. And while I don't have links to everything I went through in my searches, I did see something mentioning changes to processes over the years.
Like I said, I don't know exactly how our blue foam is made (the process, exact safety, etc) but a google search gave me the pages below. While not in-depth or definitive, it does show that there ARE differences in reticulated polyurethane foam, and there are many uses of it in the medical field. One of them is to filter blood during transfusions.
I'm no expert, and am only in search of a cart filler that works good and is easy to use. While I doubt our blue foam is "medical grade" (and I would really like to get some of that), I suspect it is different from the stuff you picked up based on your reaction to it. I'm not trying to prove you wrong or defend my choice to use this stuff, but rather am only trying to figure out if it is really safe to use for our purposes. I do hope so!
More Info
Medical Uses
While I can't confirm the exact process in making our "blue foam", I can say after some research that there are different types of polyurethane foam and further, we are talking about reticulated polyurethane foam, which is apparently different again from regular polyurethane foam. Also seemingly important is that with reticulated polyurethane foam, there are apparently two different methods to make the "finished product": thermal and chemical. The chemical method, much as it sounds, wouldn't be our preferred method. And while I don't have links to everything I went through in my searches, I did see something mentioning changes to processes over the years.
Like I said, I don't know exactly how our blue foam is made (the process, exact safety, etc) but a google search gave me the pages below. While not in-depth or definitive, it does show that there ARE differences in reticulated polyurethane foam, and there are many uses of it in the medical field. One of them is to filter blood during transfusions.
I'm no expert, and am only in search of a cart filler that works good and is easy to use. While I doubt our blue foam is "medical grade" (and I would really like to get some of that), I suspect it is different from the stuff you picked up based on your reaction to it. I'm not trying to prove you wrong or defend my choice to use this stuff, but rather am only trying to figure out if it is really safe to use for our purposes. I do hope so!
More Info
Medical Uses
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Thanks Kevin, that was helpful for sure to know some of the different methods use in producing the foam...I found this tidbit really interesting-
"When compressed, reticulated polyurethane foam materials exhibit somewhat different properties than in their uncompressed states, and this characteristic can be used to advantage in many applications. Compression ratios as high as 20:1 can be used to achieve extremely high void volumes of 95 percent or more in filtering, reservoiring and wicking applications.
For example, the uniform texture of the foam materials makes them ideal for ink rollers and in ink cartridges for computer printers. The excellent filtration qualities of reticulated polyurethane foam provide a rigorous flow path and more impingement surfaces to trap particulate matter, with high breathability, wicking, capillary action and high strength. When compressed, a high-performance reticulated polyethylene foam material will still maintain a relatively high void volume."
Sounds like the thermally produced poly foam would definitely be safe for use as a filler. I just wish we all knew which was chemically and which was thermally produced.
Sorry, didn't mean to sound all "the sky is falling" earlier, but it kind of freaked me out a bit. As I said before, it may have been totally unrelated to the foam. If the AC filter foam were somehow safe, it would be without a doubt the best, cheapest filler out there to date....I wish I could keep on using it! Just can't trust it now, lol.
"When compressed, reticulated polyurethane foam materials exhibit somewhat different properties than in their uncompressed states, and this characteristic can be used to advantage in many applications. Compression ratios as high as 20:1 can be used to achieve extremely high void volumes of 95 percent or more in filtering, reservoiring and wicking applications.
For example, the uniform texture of the foam materials makes them ideal for ink rollers and in ink cartridges for computer printers. The excellent filtration qualities of reticulated polyurethane foam provide a rigorous flow path and more impingement surfaces to trap particulate matter, with high breathability, wicking, capillary action and high strength. When compressed, a high-performance reticulated polyethylene foam material will still maintain a relatively high void volume."
Sounds like the thermally produced poly foam would definitely be safe for use as a filler. I just wish we all knew which was chemically and which was thermally produced.
Sorry, didn't mean to sound all "the sky is falling" earlier, but it kind of freaked me out a bit. As I said before, it may have been totally unrelated to the foam. If the AC filter foam were somehow safe, it would be without a doubt the best, cheapest filler out there to date....I wish I could keep on using it! Just can't trust it now, lol.
Don't worry about that! Hell, I was freaked out as well. But it just didn't make sense to me since nobody else so far noticed any bad effects. I don't know for sure how the blue foam is made, but I guess I'll continue to use it since I haven't noticed anything bad and I'm pretty sure it's different from what you bought.
I think the ideal situation would be to find out where we can purchase some medical grade reticulated polyurethane foam. If I could find that then I would be even less worried because if it is safe enough to filter blood for a transfusion, then I'll vape to that!
Medical grade would be great. As far as being different, by my estimation, the actual structure is pretty much identical, as they both appear to be reticulated (which from what I've read is basically structure related). The question is whether or not the blue foam is thermally produced. I'm guessing it might be, given it's application. Although, one would think an air filter would want to be thermally produced as well, given it's application as it is fitted before the air intake. Then again, air may not diffuse the residual chemicals that are a byproduct of the process. Any doctorates of chemistry out there?
This stuff works very good. No leakage with dekang PG juice if it cut double sized: Hagen AquaClear Foam Filter Inserts at PETCO
I'm using a piece cut to (apprrox) 1/4" thick X 1" X 1 1/2" folded twice and stuffed in a 901 tip. Very good wicking, cheap too $1.99 USD
I'm using a piece cut to (apprrox) 1/4" thick X 1" X 1 1/2" folded twice and stuffed in a 901 tip. Very good wicking, cheap too $1.99 USD
I have been using the blue small reticulated sponge filters for a while now. Nothing compares. This has performed the best out of all of them. I cut a piece about a hair wider than a half inch. I fold it in half lengthwise, put it into the 901 cart, and cut it straight across level with the cart. I fill from the bottom. It, and most others, work best if changed every day. I put the used ones in a syringe and reuse the fluid. Love it.
I have been using this stuff for months after seeing some people post about it. I don't think medical grade would make any difference, maybe sterility, but still the same stuff. I have blown thru a box of this stuff, and I have never seen any of it burnt, or give off a bad taste or smell. If it burned or melted, that would be a different story.
I think this is the thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/13353-what-sponges-made-out-2.html
I have been using this stuff for months after seeing some people post about it. I don't think medical grade would make any difference, maybe sterility, but still the same stuff. I have blown thru a box of this stuff, and I have never seen any of it burnt, or give off a bad taste or smell. If it burned or melted, that would be a different story.
I think this is the thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/13353-what-sponges-made-out-2.html
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Been trying this. The wicking is great but I'm getting a funky smell and taste after a while with a 510. It's got me concerned enough about health risks that I have stopped using the mod for the time being. The thought of breathing plastics and other questionable materials and chemicals definately concerns me more than getting a good vape.
What if you use a small amount of one of the traditional cart materials as a plug, such that it acted as a barrier between the fishtank filter material and the atomizer? You'd still get most of the storage advantage.
Would be a bit fussy on a 901, pretty easy on an 801.
I have tried some things with multiple materials. In my experience it can work but, for me, Id rather stay away from the hassle dealing with 2 material. I use Just one piece of PTB that I can easily take out and clean when I need to and then easily replace. Im using the FRF PTB mod and it literally take me a couple of minutes to remove, clean, dry, replace and start adding more juice.
I tried, blue foam and brass, blue foam and ptb. What I have found that the blue foam did not push back up the material as much as I was expecting.
If you do try the foam poly combo let us know how it went.
rho
Just bought the blue foam last night (the U-style) and have had decent success with it. I find that it performs about as well as PTB but is a lot less hassle to use. Haven't noticed any unusual flavors or adverse effects yet. I did have some leaking when I tried storing my e-cig LED-down all night, but that was just a pipe-dream test, as I had leaking with this particular liquid using PTB as well. (I'm also using carts that aren't made for these particular atomizers, which doesn't help.)
Overall, thumbs up so far on the foam.
Overall, thumbs up so far on the foam.
Just bought the blue foam last night (the U-style) and have had decent success with it. I find that it performs about as well as PTB but is a lot less hassle to use. Haven't noticed any unusual flavors or adverse effects yet. I did have some leaking when I tried storing my e-cig LED-down all night, but that was just a pipe-dream test, as I had leaking with this particular liquid using PTB as well. (I'm also using carts that aren't made for these particular atomizers, which doesn't help.)
Overall, thumbs up so far on the foam.
did you fold it?
did you cut it down to the size of the cart or larger?
did you make it bigger at the cart opening?
sorry for all the questions, just want to see what works and what doesnt.
rho
I didn't fold it, just cut it down roughly to the size of the cart (a 306a, so it's already pretty small). I didn't make it bigger at the cart opening. When I refill I will likely cut the piece a little shorter (it's a bit stuffed into there right now) and may try the tapering-toward-the-mouth thing, though I don't see what that's supposed to accomplish.
I think folding would compress it far too much for it to be effective, but that's just my impression from my limited handing of it.
After trying this for 3 days I have to say it is the best cart filler material. I have tried them all and this one is the easiest and most reliable. One added benefit is if I want to change flavors when I run it dry I don't have to worry about the old flavor interfering with the new.
Last night when I noticed my test carts had started to lose vapor, I opened them up to look-- and they were all totally dry. Very nice!
However, I can't totally agree with the whole non-flavor-overlap thing, but only because I'm using some VERY strong flavors. The foam I used with Habana Reserve still smells very strongly of that flavor, even after long rinses in hot water. No biggie, though-- I have enough foam to replace it probably several hundred times.
I really want to like this mod, but I have a very chemical taste to the vapor after I hit it a few times and the atty heats up. Maybe I have too much in the cart and it is hitting more than just the wicking material on the atty.
I'm using a 510 and have left about 1/16 of an inch of space at the top of the cart. Should I be leaving more?
I'm using a 510 and have left about 1/16 of an inch of space at the top of the cart. Should I be leaving more?
I'm not detecting any flavor change at all and I've got my atomizer wick pushing right up against the foam. (I can see the dent when I change carts.) Which foam are you using? I've got the Marineland sleeves, U-type.
Then again, I'm not using this mod in my 510, which kicks out a LOT of heat-- that's one reason why I don't use it much, it changes the flavors of liquids a lot, in my experience.
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