Filter sock micron rating question

[csababubbles]

I got a bunch of 100 micron filter bags (Monofilament Mesh Nylon) from filterbags.com a while back but I am getting a lot of mulm on the bottom of my barebottom sump. If I get a finer micron rating (75 or 50) would this help or would my filter sock just overflow very fast and i won't notice much difference?

 

[DonW]

5 and 10 work great but you do have to change them frequently.

Don

 

[csababubbles]

how often you change 10 micron?

which is the best material?

http://filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm

felt, multifilament, monofilament, or microfiber are the available choices.

 

[ecobalance]

100 mic. in 5 mic.

Guess the title says it all.I do this and it will usually take 2 days before it overflows,instead of 5 hours.BTW saltwater aquariums are best stired not filtered.

 

[Scooterman]

BTW saltwater aquariums are best stired not filtered.

What are you talking about here?

 

[220G]

How quickly it clogs is really a function of how much water you pass through them (no matter what pore size), and to a degree how much particulate passes through the bag. Most agree 100 micron is the most suitable. I have used 50 and 100 micron, and feel the 100 is the better choice.

 

[lizardarm]

So what about the material though? I had bought a box from filterbag a while back (still have them) and they are the polypropolene felt. They work fine, but they feel different than the filter socks I get from the LFS.

 

[DonW]

how often you change 10 micron?

which is the best material?

http://filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm

felt, multifilament, monofilament, or microfiber are the available choices.

I could go 5 days on a 10 and 3 days on a 5 with no problem with overflowing the sock. I just changed them every three days full or not.

Don

 

[csababubbles]

so which materials do you guys recommend?

i personally have a bunch of monofilament 100 micron bags. they have this plasticy feel to them. they seem to be working fine except the fine mulm which I believe is a factor of just the high micron rating. they wash out very clean though in the washing machine with bleach and so far have held up (3 months). I think I will go with the microfiber next time because they have lower micron ratings available.

 

[DonW]

I like the felt bags from filterbags.com. They hold up well to the washing machine.

Don

 

[lizardarm]

Do you know which type of felt Don? They've got a few different kinds listed.

 

[DonW]

Do you know which type of felt Don? They've got a few different kinds listed.

Polypropylene felt, they come in sizes from 1 micron on up.

Don

 

[csababubbles]

interesting, the company kept repeating to me that even though most aquarists who they sell to buy that kind (felt) they said they will not hold up to too many washings. they recommended them to me but I bought the monofilament instead because a couple of people recommended it to me on reefcentral. they cost double too!

 

[Boomer]

Don and I have already talked about bags so he has all the scoop on them

csababubbles

Bleach, keep an eye on the for break down.

What micron size you choose to use is an opinion based on your needs. With that said 100 micons is huge, 0.1 mm, the size of fine sand.

220G

How quickly it clogs is really a function of how much water you pass through them (no matter what pore size), and to a degree how much particulate passes through the bag.

The is more to it than that Is also dependant on the growth rate of the biofilm and even what the biofilm is made of, high flow rate of low flow rate.