Cheap alternative to the black foam filter?

[nameuser]

Hi everyone, I was wondering why the price of the foam filter is so expensive, I have 2 guesses so far: either it is sofisticated special hightech foam, or someone is making tons of money by selling cheap and pretty regular foams. Unfortunetly I don't know the answer.
I came across fish aquarium foam filter (you can seach on google "biochemical foam filter") and was hoping it could be an alternative for the expensive ones.
The filters look pretty much the same, it is biochemical which I am guessing is a good thing, and I believe the purpose of the foam filter is to filter large particles (mostly dust) while the white filter is used to clean fine particles, maybe even as small as mold spores, I am not familiar with the MERV rating.
So what do you think? is it too risky to try? will it work?

[palerider]

hardly seems worth it.

https://smile.amazon.com/Reusable-Foam- ... oam+filter

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Respironics-REM ... Rwns3jCmgQ

those filters are meant to be washed and reused, btw, so you don't need to replace them until (if) they fall apart.

[nameuser]

Cost of 12 foams is $6.3 and for international buyers, shipping costs of $9 (for the ebay link) is added. I have seen some 50cm x 50cm sheet of foam for $6 give or take, and you can cut way more than 200 filters.
In amazon it seems to be cheaper, but I don't live in USA so no shipping for me .

But is it the same material?

[chunkyfrog]

Foam can be made in any consistency and resistance level,
Filter foam is made to exacting specifications, thus the cost.
Some random foam will exude gas that may irritate delicate nasal tissues.
The dark foam filters are washable and can be used many months or longer.
It is possible to be too stingy for your own good. Don't be "that idiot".

[amenite]

There are surely some obscure specs used in the foam making industry that if you knew them you could be sure you were getting the same thing. But I don't know them, and I don't particularly care to waste time making my own parts that may or not work as expected. A two pack of these things will last for years if you take care of them. No need to waste so much time to save so little

[Goofproof]

You need to find something else to obsess over, that black filter lasts for years, unless you mistreat it. Filters are made to meet spec's of your requirements.

Wash it with soap gently, rinse well, dry by putting it in a clean towel and squeezing until dry. Store in clean place until completely dry, then bag or put in XPAP. Jim

[chunkyfrog]

Your time is worth something. In this endeavor, it is wasted.

[Goofproof]

Your time is worth something. In this endeavor, it is wasted.

It takes one minute tops to wash the filter, I work cheap nowdays, I just use the time I would waste cleaning the hose, which I don't do. Hose cleaning takes 5 or 10 minutes, gives me time to clean 5 filters, over a years worth. Jim