Swiss Tropicals Swiss Tropicals
is proudly introducing Poret® brand aquarium filter foam
from EMW filtertechnik in Germany.
Exclusively imported and distributed by SwissTropicals, LLC!
For use in freshwater, saltwater, and pond filters!
New 13x13x2 and 13x13x4 inch sizes available.
Perfect for use with 10/15/20L/33L gallon tanks!
Go here for convenient online ordering.
last updated July 25, 2008 0:18 ET
The German original with many different applications.
Here are a few ideas:
Hamburg Mattenfilter (HMF):
Material cost for air-driven HMF for 10-, 15-, or 20L-Gal tanks run under $20 but provide >5 quarts of filter volume.
Compared to popular sponge filters that is a 3-10 fold larger filter!
Corner foam filter:
Tank divider:
Tank divider filter (TDF):
This TDF model is designed for use in a 75-gal tank (48x18x21 in). It works as a filter and tank divider at the same time when placed in the middle of the tank like the dividers above. Ideal to set up breeding pairs of discus or angelfish, or a batch of livebearers. The PVC lift tubes are covered with air vent screen using a cable tie to prevent curious fish from entering. The airline enters the lift tube through a hole in the 90-degree elbow. There are no air stones necessary. A small piece of foam was cut out to accommodate the horizontal part of the tube at the top and a large knife was used to cut a pilot hole into the foam for the vertical part. Of course, you can add even more lift tubes if needed. This filter costs about $60 for all the parts ($56 for the foam and small change for the 3/4-inch PVC parts) but lasts at least 12-18 months without any maintenance. Compare that to any canister, hang-on, or internal power filter!
Sponge filter:
This sponge filter model is very simple: a 4x4x4-inch cube of Poret® was glued with silicone onto two bathroom tiles used as a base. One was not heavy enough so I simply glued two together. You can use any stone plate as a base but silicone sticks much better to the glazed surface of a tile and they come in various sizes and colors. A half-inch CPVC pipe drilled on the side for the air line is used as a lift tube, which is stuck into the middle of the foam block (use a sharply pointed knife to punch a pilot hole first). Air stones are optional, I don't use them because they get caked much too quickly. Make your own sponge filter in any size you want. This is just one of many applications of Poret® foam in any sponge filter.
As a universal replacement media for various filter models:
For example, Oase Biotec 5.1 and 10.1 pond filter replacement pads are 10x10x3.2 in in size (25x25x8 cm) and retail for about $20 ea. You can cut 16 of these pads out of one 40x40x4 sheet, which translates in a pad price of $12.50 each! And they are even somewhat thicker, giving you more filter volume at a significantly lower price.
Poret® = the ultimate filter sponge!
This is the stuff the professionals use all over Germany and Europe! I have used the Poret® foam for over 15 years myself and would never buy anything else. It is washable and can be re-used for many years. I have foam blocks that are in use for over 5 years. Highly recommended!
Proper care: do not wring or squeeze the foam when washing. It will destroy the structure more quickly. Better smack it against the side or bottom of your sink and rinse. Repeat until clean. Do not use bleach.
100x100 cm sheets 10- and 5-cm thick with a paper towel role for size comparison. You can judge the strength of this foam from how the plates stand up without support in the right picture. Try that with any competitor's product!
What is Poret®?
Poret® is a waterproof polyether foam with a particular open-cell structure. The reticulation process produces well defined open pores. This product is not your usual mattress, isolation, or packing foam, which are closed-cell foams. Even so, many sponge filters on the market come with closed cell foams because they are much cheaper. Well, price matters. However, these foams have mostly closed air bubbles that are completely inaccessible for filter bacteria or water. Hence, they really do not work very well.
Polyether is resistant to hydrolysis and has outstanding aging, temperature (up to 250 °F/90 °C), and chemical stability when compared to other foams. The physical properties of Poret® such as compression and tear strengths, and elongation are greater than conventional polyurethane foams, while polyester foams are acid and alkali sensitive. These characteristics are important because of the chemical reactions during bacterial degradation in the filter. Poret® is also highly ozone and oxygen resistant, which are crucial for marine aquarium applications. The Poret® foam does not contain toxic chemicals such as plasticizers and is specifically manufactured for aquarium and pond use. It has a much larger surface area than other filter materials and permits more rapid and superior growth of bacterial cultures. The foaming process is fluorocarbon-free and the foam can be disposed safely by incineration (yes, I care about the environment). The size of pores is calculated in pores per inch (PPI) and the foam is made in pore sizes from 10-45 PPI in several colors.
I am currently carrying the original blue foam (the famous "blauer Schaum") that is extremely popular in Germany and the rest of Europe. You will hardly find any fish store over there that does not carry it! If demand warrants I am planning to import brick-red and black foam as well. Please, make your wishes known.
Sizes currently available:
10 cm (4 inch) 10-15 PPI (coarse) on the left
5 cm (2 inch) 30 PPI (fine) on the right.
Go here for convenient online ordering.
Cutting Poret® is simple: a very sharp large knife and dry wall ruler are all you need!
For purchases in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC area, please contact my distribution partner Discus Hans USA.
Thank you for visiting!
Stephan, Swiss Tropicals, LLC
You are visitor # since March 2008