You just cant buy that many filter cartridges to equal the same amount of filters for the money. Even though you can rinse and reuse this filter material. I find the quality degrades rather quickly. So its best to discard old filter and replace with new. Even this way it does not effect the value in the long-run. Another great thing about this filter material is just how versatile it is. Simply cut to the size you need. However I will say you are going to need rather heavy duty fabric scissors that are sharp. Or a utility knife will work.

Updated review MAR 2019 - cut material and utilized on HOB filters, and have cleaned every 3 days for a month, A better media than disposable. Used in wet/dry sump, and just added to canister filter trays in conjunction with bio-sponges, will add rating and function review after a month of using in three Penn Plax canister filter trays, 700, 1000, & 1200 versus the disposable replacements. Updated review AUG 2018 - Had tested three other high quality filter media with different levels of micron, and this is the most versatile, since the media is about 3/4 inches thick and allows high flow with a high rate of filtration. because of the bonded dual micron filter media. Having utilized the single layer media, there is no comparison to the function of the layered. Very high quality material compared to the original provided with my wet/dry (fresh water) sump filter. It does appear this material can be rinsed and re-used, if customer wanted to do that to extend life and reduce waste. Easy to cut with a good pair of sharp scissors, for custom size. For optimum cleaning, use an outside water hose with a nozzle. But then rinse in your water out of the aquarium to clean anything from the tap water. Previous purchase and review - Utilized in a salt water type, 75 gallon aquarium, for large Cichlids (fresh water), with a fine sand media. This is a first purchase of this product, and was concerned of receiving a inferior product at this price, but was pleasantly surprised with the superior quality of this product. This does well with cleaning and continued use, but can be disposable.

Keeps my reef aquarium water crystal clear. With a heavy bio load it will clog up in about 1 week. Rinses easily for about 3 uses before I need to replace it. I use this filter pad to save money, then when I am traveling I switch back to filter socks (still from Aquatic Experts) and the socks will last about 30days before needing to be cleaned. Filter socks have way more surface area so it’s expected they’ll last longer than these pads. My tank: 120gal fully stocked reef aquarium running 5years.

I use this to make my own pre-filter “socks”. Keeps my canister main filter cleaner for much longer and the water stays crystal clear. I can make about 20-30 socks out of one 72” roll and they last about a week. I also use it to make filter pads for my cat water fountain. Great product, but wish it was cheaper.

This pad is keeping my tank crystal clear! Definitely recommend this product

Very well made filter media. Will order again.

As an avid user of POLY FILTER, it does get a little expensive (but worth it). Reading all the reviews I gave this product a try to supplement my filter pads. I must say I am very impressed. While it obviously isnt POLY it still does a fantastic job and for the price and amount you get is a fabulous bargain. My Aqueon 75 HOB filter takes 2 filter pads so I have begun using a POLY filter in one holster and this element in the other. I honestly see no difference in my water clarity so I will continue using both to hopefully save a bit of $$. I love POLY FILTER and will continue to use it but the quality and price of this padding gives similar results , but its definitely not going to remove some of the impurities that POLY will. Plus one roll should last years(s).

I do partial water changes every two weeks and change the filter every month. It’s decent but can’t compare to charcoal

I love this. Lasts 3 times longer than the proprietary filter media. I keep goldfish, which are pigs. They leave a lot of waste which clogs up most filters. With this filter media not only does it last longer, it also polishes the water better. I will use it from now on.

This is a really great filter media. I use it in an above tank wet-dry filter for both mechanical and bio filtration. I only have to replace the top layer when it gets dirty, while the lower layers stay colonized with beneficial bacteria and free of debris. It has a good density and stiffness for a media. Filter floss that is too soft and fluffy becomes packed down as soon as water begins to flow through it, but this bonded media keeps it shape much better. This is especially important with a wet-dry filter where I want it to resist compressing, because the air space withing the media stack is needed to optimize oxygenation and elimination of ammonia. At the same time it is flexible enough to cut easily with ordinary scissors and bend to any shape needed. It also is perfect to disperse water flow through a filter so that channeling does not result in dead spaces in the media. One side of the media is slightly stiffer and more dense than the softer side. I have water flow into the soft side, and then the more dense side ensures that the flow spreads out and does not go straight through lower layers. Many DIYers suggest alternatives to traditional filter media such as plastic pot scrubbers or fluffy bath sponges. This is cheaper than those cost saving alternatives, it works much better, and it is easy to cut and fit for any shape needed. For my filters, I make a sandwich of generic ceramic rings between two layers of this poly material, which Ive found to be the best balance of effectiveness and affordability.