AQUANEAT Open Cell Foam Aquarium Filter Media, Black, 40 PPI, Bio sponge filter pad

This aquarium filter media is a single black open cell foam pad measuring 11" L x 10.25" W x 2" H, rated at 40 PPI. The sheet can be cut to fit pre-filters for aquariums and ponds, sumps, wet/dry filters, canister filters and power filters, and it is also listed for HMF DIY projects. The 40 PPI rating and the 2" thickness are the two figures to check first, because they decide whether the pad suits the filter you have and the pore density you want.

Cutting the pad to size

The pad is made to be cut to fit, so the shape of your own filter opening is what decides the final piece. Cut from the 11" x 10.25" sheet and keep the 2" height in mind when the media sits in a cartridge or a media basket.

Does this foam pad suit your filter?

Check the space in your filter first: the pad arrives as one sheet of 11" L x 10.25" W x 2" H, and any piece larger than that space has to be trimmed before it goes in. The pad is listed for pre-filters on aquarium and pond filters, sumps, wet/dry filters, canister filters, power filters and HMF DIY projects, so the filter you are fitting it into should be one of those types.

The 40 PPI rating is worth a check against the sponge already in the filter. Pore size is measured in pores per inch, and a sponge with a higher PPI has more pores, which means larger filtration capacity but a lower rate of water flow through the foam. That makes 40 PPI a fine-pore sheet rather than a coarse one.

How the open cell structure behaves

• The foam is open cell sponge, and its structure gives it a larger inner surface area for filtration capacity.
• The reticulated structure is listed as providing a better water flow rate and less chance of clogging than a non-reticulated foam.
• Because the 40 PPI sheet carries many pores, it needs cleaning more often than a sponge with fewer pores.
• The manufacturer recommends combining sponges with different PPI ratings in one filter rather than relying on a single grade.

Questions about the foam pad

How thick is the pad?

The pad is 2" H, with a length of 11" and a width of 10.25".

Can I cut it to fit my filter?

Yes, the pad can be cut to fit, so you can trim it down from the 11" x 10.25" sheet to the shape your filter takes.

What does 40 PPI mean on this sponge?

PPI stands for pores per inch, and this black foam is rated at 40 PPI. A higher PPI means more pores, which gives larger filtration capacity but a lower water flow rate through the foam.

How many pads come in the pack?

The pack contains one foam pad, model FP-A292, in black.