I have a topfin 10 filter (line made for petsmart by tetra-it is essentially tetra stuff) for my 10 gallon tank. I have been going to petsmart and buying filter cartridges. I know they have a plastic frame on the inside you can save in each cartridge ( has a little clip at the top where you can remove the outside filter bag). I was wondering if anyone has ever made a new filter case for the filter cartridge frame to avoid buying the filter cartridges from the lfs. If so how did you do it? If not have any of you got some good ideas for me to diy some for myself? thanks

I don't see why you would need to make them, because they are only 10 bucks for a 12 pack. Thay are a dollar a piece. I would use Medium Whisper Bio-bags. They are the same thing made by the same company. Anything for a Whisper 10 will fit on your Top Fin 10.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...&N=2030140&Ne=2

Because I am someone on a very tight budget. And if I can make some for $2 versus buying them for $10 I could save some money.

They are just like 75 cents each when bought in bulk and you only have to replace them once a month. That means a 12 pack will last a year!! You can even rinse them with the waterhose on high jet spray and they will las 6 months each that way.

I have started making my own Whisper cartridges, and you were right, it is much cheaper.

What you need:
old frames
scissors
low loft chemical free quilt batting

How to make it:

You simply roll out your quilt batting on a flat surface. Lay your filter cartridge in the bottom corner, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edge. Now, flip it over. Start cutting from the bottom. When you get to the top of the frame, flip the frame up. Keep cutting until you are 1/2 inch above the frame. Now cut all the way over. You will then have a sheet of batting four times the size of your frame. Lay your open frame in the middle and fold the sides in. You will be wrapping the sides around the frame. Then simply fold up the leftover batting and clip it in place. Rinse, then add to your filter with the thickest side towards the back. This will catch more debris in an established aquarium because your old filter left it behind, but you get polished water for pennies, which means you can change it as often as you want. I will try to post pics later when my camera batteries charge.

Hope this helps!!

Daniel

I do something simular to that.I just super glue the batting on after i rip the original stuff off.Natural sponge works well too.