fluval vs blue foam, plug or dont plug?

[skywalk]

i'm thinking of using the straw with either fluval or blue foam on top.
2 questions:

- which is better, fluval or blue foam and why?
- should I plug the material into the straw (blue foam dart/fluval dart) or should it just sit on top of the straw? I can't figure out and benefits of plugging up the straw? thanks

 

[eclypse]

Why use a straw? What atty are you using? Blue foam is made for liquid to flow threw it.. fluval is like the polyfil but stiffer. I'm sure the foam wicks much better then the 2.

If you can get the blue foam go with that.

 

[skywalk]

Why use a straw? What atty are you using? Blue foam is made for liquid to flow threw it.. fluval is like the polyfil but stiffer. I'm sure the foam wicks much better then the 2.

If you can get the blue foam go with that.

i'm wondering why you ask about using a straw. I see you are using it yourself in the shotgun slug (if I'm mistaken please correct me here) How often do you have to replace your blue foam?

Still looking for more input on comparisons between blue foam and the fluval.

 

[eclypse]

I read your thread, thanks. I was under the impression that you stuffed the whole thing in right to the bottom of the cartridge, and I see now I was mistaken. if I have the round cart with the little ledge, i'll give this a try, thanks!

Thin tipped 510 carts have the same inner lips as well.

If all you have is the fluval then try the straw cut to the same height as the lip in the cart and put a small square of the fluval on top.

Petes using a skinny stir straw and has the meterial packed in the straw to hold the plug in place. Other straw mods are just to help hold the plug.. i see the need in other carts like the 901 ect but not really needed for the 510 cart.

 

[skywalk]

edited my post cus I notice you used a straw in the shotgun slug?

 

[eclypse]

I quickly abandoned that shotgun mod as it seemed like the straw just held onto the juice. I'd pull the slug out and see juice still within the straw.. didnt happen everytime so i guess it could of been happening with thicker juice that clinged to the straw.

Since then i've gone back to just the slug.

The foam will last as long as you want it to.. i've never felt the need to cut a new one and i've only have cut more when people requested some or just to make up a bunch of carts if i was going to be away for the day.

When i go to refill the cart i just take the plug out and pat it on a paper towel to remove any old juice, fill the cart near the top and reinsert the plug and go.

Real easy as i always grab the slug with the tweezers right in the middle when removing and inserting it. Insert it and spread the sides out with the tweezers and insert the cart on the atty.

P.S. I keep the current version of my mod that i'm using in my signature so people can easily find the link to it if they get lost in my long thread.. if i ever change it, i'll update my sig.

 

[eclypse]

Oh.. the fluval will not wick as good as a properly sized foam. Its too thick for the juice to flow threw. The juice will just be trapped down in the cart as theres too much material to run threw to the atty.

Hold up your material in front of a light source. If you can easily see light through it then it will allow air/liquid to flow through at a high rate.. If you can barely see the light then its not gona wick good and it will just clog up the cart.

The foam is kinda like a sponge material in apearance.. and the fluval is a stiff hairy material made out of poly. I've used fish tank filters made out of the fluval and it dont take much for it to clog after a couple of days.

 

[skywalk]

thanks eclypse. I understand what you're getting at regarding letting liquid/air through. But i'm also thinking about zippo lighters and the material thats used. It doesnt let light through as it looks like the fluval material, and yet it serves as such a great wick and has survived the test of time. What do u reckon?

 

[eclypse]

thanks eclypse. I understand what you're getting at regarding letting liquid/air through. But i'm also thinking about zippo lighters and the material thats used. It doesnt let light through as it looks like the fluval material, and yet it serves as such a great wick and has survived the test of time. What do u reckon?

Been talked about around here.. atleast once or twice a month someone will ask about it.

Personally, i dont know. If i had a new one laying around i'd give it a go and report back but i dont.