Swamp Cooler Material

[tpaulsen]

Hi Y'all, So I have been tinkering with a swamp cooler for a few weeks now, and I wanted to ask what is the best material to use for the evaporation? I have tried a cotton towel, but it doesn't seem to wick too well. I also tried a synthetic exercise shirt, but the water only travels up 1/4 the way before it dries. Anyone have any magic material that stays wet all over?

 

[divrguy]

Cotton should work fine but make sure it's wet all over first and that should help get it started

 

[MaryB]

Wonder how well a tiny little aquarium water pump would work to trickle water down the sides.