I kinda remember using cotton wool or cotton balls in a corner box filter many, many moons ago. If I remember correctly, it packs down and becomes useless very quickly. As for sponges, if they are free from impurities and porous, they should work. I have used plastic scourers for coarse mechanical ...

Howdy! I have a featherfin also, a male. He's about ten years old and eats from my hand. He's not above giving me a nip if the food isn't there either! He is soft to the touch, and has never drawn blood (unlike the male convict I have). If I just add floating pellets he swims upside down to eat them ...

Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Bob, I'm 51 years old and have been keeping fish since I was 11. Presently I have one 75 gallon freshwater tank for two firemouths, one male convict, a male Jack Dempsey, a male OB Peacock, an unidentified male Peacock (both Aulonacara), a female Firehead ...