Sponge filter

[Carl C]

I’ve had a sponge filter pad and skimmer in my first chamber. Reef tank is 3-4 yrs old
Several months ago I’ve added a 100 micron polishing pad under the sponge; I’ve needed to clean it every 2 days (it gets that dirty; and raises the h20 level in that chamber which then overflows skimmer
Tonight I’ve added this filter sock ; it’s sort of jerry rigged in there … but looks/works ok
Any problems I might not be seeing ??

 

[Reef.]

Why don’t you just buy a 100 micron mesh filter sock for your overflow?

All those sponges are just going to need cleaning, either means a lot of work for you or if you don’t keep on top of it, higher nitrates, so defeating the object.

 

[AydenLincoln]

The sponges are not supposed to be cleaned that much if they getting that dirty definitely look into another means of filtration like a filter sock and they are also supposed to be replaced every few weeks/months. Typically it’s a filter sock first then sponges etc.

 

[Reef.]

The sponges are not supposed to be cleaned that much if they getting that dirty definitely look into another means of filtration like a filter sock and they are also supposed to be replaced every few weeks/months. Typically it’s a filter sock first then sponges etc.

socks and sponges are best cleaned at least every 3 days, any more then the detritus breaks down into PO4 and nitrates.

OP if you choose to use a 100 micron sock be ready to clean it every 2 days at most as the mesh will block if not cleaned very often. That’s why I suggest just one sock and no sponges, cleaning will be much easier.

 

[AydenLincoln]

socks and sponges are best cleaned at least every 3 days, any more then the detritus breaks down into PO4 and nitrates.

OP if you choose to use a 100 micron sock be ready to clean it every 2 days at most as the mesh will block if not cleaned very often. That’s why I suggest just one sock and no sponges, cleaning will be much easier.

Well I typically don’t clean my sponges. I just replace them but my tank is also an AIO and it’s what my manufacturer recommends.

 

[Carl C]

Why don’t you just buy a 100 micron mesh filter sock for your overflow?

All those sponges are just going to need cleaning, either means a lot of work for you or if you don’t keep on top of it, higher nitrates, so defeating the object.

Interesting idea ; my overflow is literally huge See pic ; but again am intrigued by idea

 

[Reef.]

Interesting idea ; my overflow is literally huge See pic ; but again am intrigued by idea

I mean for your overflow tube, where you have a sock now.

 

[Reef.]

Well I typically don’t clean my sponges. I just replace them but my tank is also an AIO and it’s what my manufacturer recommends.

If your sponges are collecting detritus why would you leave it in the tank for weeks/months just to break down on the sponge, here is a very good video showing why 3 days is the longest you should be leaving socks/sponges before cleaning.

 

[AydenLincoln]

If your sponges are collecting detritus why would you leave it in the tank for weeks/months just to break down on the sponge, here is a very good video showing why 3 days is the longest you should be leaving socks/sponges before cleaning.

So my sponges really don’t collect that much. When I visibly look at them and I do occasionally rinse them. But that being said I know I really should be replacing the filter sock more.

 

[Reef.]

So my sponges really don’t collect that much. When I visibly look at them and I do occasionally rinse them. But that being said I know I really should be replacing the filter sock more.

I’m guessing you may have a hob filter?

Sponges can also act as biological filters, a place for bacteria to collect, if you have some kind of detritus catching method before the sponges then that is probably the reason your manufacturer has suggested such a long time between cleanings.

 

[Carl C]

The sponges are not supposed to be cleaned that much if they getting that dirty definitely look into another means of filtration like a filter sock and they are also supposed to be replaced every few weeks/months. Typically it’s a filter sock first then sponges etc.

I mean for your overflow tube, where you have a sock now.

Isn’t that what I have there now ?

 

[AydenLincoln]

Isn’t that what I have there now ?

It is. Sorry lol. What else do you have in the rest of your chambers? So I just saw you have a 150 gallon tank so that is a lot of waste and for you to wash it that much it makes sense. That being said you can also look into a rollermat which is less maintenance and is often times a more effective means of removal for a large tank. Also here is an example of typical placement. I just noticed the skimmer was in the same chamber.

 

[Reef.]

Isn’t that what I have there now ?

Well it’s not mesh, which is easier to clean and not sure if it’s 100 microns…but my point was, if the 100 micron sock is on the overflow there is no need for the sponges, as I said it’s just more work cleaning or they just collect nitrate if you don’t clean them very often.

You want to stop your skimmer from going wild, your plan seems to be to reduce the detritus that gets to the sponges so the water lvl doesn’t reduce, seems to me if you achieve your goal, then the sponges are all but pointless so why have them there if the sock you have on the overflow is doing it’s job.

 

[Carl C]

Well it’s not mesh, which is easier to clean and not sure if it’s 100 microns…but my point was, if the 100 micron sock is on the overflow there is no need for the sponges, as I said it’s just more work cleaning or they just collect nitrate if you don’t clean them very often.

You want to stop your skimmer from going wild, your plan seems to be to reduce the detritus that gets to the sponges so the water lvl doesn’t reduce, seems to me if you achieve your goal, then the sponges are all but pointless so why have them there if the sock you have on the overflow is doing it’s job.

I get what you are saying thank you

 

[Carl C]

It is. Sorry lol. What else do you have in the rest of your chambers? So I just saw you have a 150 gallon tank so that is a lot of waste and for you to wash it that much it makes sense. That being said you can also look into a rollermat which is less maintenance and is often times a more effective means of removal for a large tank. Also here is an example of typical placement. I just noticed the skimmer was in the same chamber.

Thank you my 2nd chamber is packed 2 varios pumps and a reactor holder I also hav a lg stand alone fuge

 

[Double monti 61]

How about using real marine sponge to help remove nutrients you never have to clean them.

 

[Carl C]

How about using real marine sponge to help remove nutrients you never have to clean them.

Interesting; you don’t? So it becomes bacterial filtration?

 

[Carl C]

I’m guessing you may have a hob filter?

Sponges can also act as biological filters, a place for bacteria to collect, if you have some kind of detritus catching method before the sponges then that is probably the reason your manufacturer has suggested such a long time between cleanings.

I have sump thank you

 

[Reef.]

I have sump thank you

I was talking to AydenLincoln.