Particulates in the the tank

[DonW]

If you can get a group together filterbag has them for about 3 bucks each along with more choices all the way down to 5 microns. The 5 micron bags will scrub your water column clean real quick.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If you can get a group together filterbag has them for about 3 bucks each along with more choices all the way down to 5 microns. The 5 micron bags will scrub your water column clean real quick.

Don

They make nice gifts for reef friends and as a bonus on sales.
I throw mine in the wash and then rince the heck out of them after to prevent foaming the skimmer.

Good idea on group order...

 

[DonW]

They make nice gifts for reef friends
Good idea on group order...

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54935

Don

 

[NWDiver]

I'm up for a group order, I have a ton of 200's but I would like to try a tighter weave...

 

[Ed Hahn]

I had to be reminded how bad pool or silicate sand was recently. Parameters such as calicum, Alk, and Mag were in check, 50 gallon water changes weekly, but some serious algae blooms. I had a good skimmer rated up to 700 gallons on a system under 300 gallons. I used a filter sock also. But still had some serious Algae blooms from Sand. A little reminder goes a long way, thanks to person that shared this with me Friday.

 

[NWDiver]

That's interesting Ed, I read an article by Randy Holmes (I think) that said silica based sand is not typically a problem. Here is the article http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm I don't know if it is applicable to your situation...

-Todd

 

[Xtremedave67]

I am in brain overload LOL.....I have been learning and reading for the last 10 weeks about reefing, and BAMB everyday a new term comes around or new concept I need to educate myself on. I didnt even think about filter socks, because I always see them on the drain line into an In sump skimmer chamber. figured I didnt need to think about them :O
thought they just made something about the skimming more efficient or cleaner Sheeeeeesh LOL
so let me ask this....if I have a 1" straight drain line going to my Fuge 1/2 in below water level into a 4" PVC column up to water level ( DIY inflow chamber so to speak) what kind of sock would I need? and would sock remove need for the 4" PVC inflow "chamber"
(HOB skimmer FYI)

 

[user 26995]

if I have a 1" straight drain line going to my Fuge 1/2 in below water level into a 4" PVC column up to water level ( DIY inflow chamber so to speak) what kind of sock would I need? and would sock remove need for the 4" PVC inflow "chamber"
(HOB skimmer FYI)

Actually, they make a 4" x 8" sock that would fit right into that chamber. is your 1" drain line flexable? if it is you could pull it up, put the sock in the chamber and put the drain hose in side the sock. If its rigid you wont be able to do that.

If your drain tube is below water line, you really dont need a chamber IMO. I dont have one anyway. drains into my sump in the skimmer section and never had trouble with it.

 

[Ed Hahn]

I am also a RHF fan. But purchasing about 50lbs of sand in clean environment did cause a algae bloom along with plugging the pores of my aged live rock. The Sand I purchased was from Petco. I will only go with pure araganite from now on.

Here is something for you to think about. I spent 7 hours Sunday pulling out this sand and I am still not done in a 6ft 200 gallon tank. Today, I noticed my algae bloom had decreased. I barely cleaned the glass on this tank. I visit this tank daily. I am doing my best to make it work as clean as possible. The doctor had me put in over a $1000 worth of SPS in the tank in the past two weeks. I am talking 45 different SPS. Today the corals all were in better shape. I replace 50 gallons plus a week in this tank. The biggest improvement so far was removing the silica sand and blowing off the rock so it works as designed.

 

[NWDiver]

Good info Ed, that kind of real world experience is why I come here every day.
The value of the expertise provided by you long time reefers cannot be overstated!

I work at a university, and I'm acutely aware of the difference between research and real life

-Todd

 

[psb]

Ed, I am am confused on your post? RHF. Sand? Maintenance on Doctors office? I am trying to match it to filter socks?previous posts Could you help out brain cell challenged among us? Thanks. What am i not getting?

Dave, as far as filter socks go you modify the "inflow chamber" by putting a hole in the bottom of it big enough to keep the chamber drained from the 1" and put the sock over the whole chamber "berlin style or simply attach it to the end of the one 1". You want it to be very easy to remove and clean or it doesnt get done. And like mike "herefishyfishy" said have atleast two or more and you can swap them out and then have time to wash them.

I love filter socks? But they have to be accessible.

Don, where do you find the smaller weaved filter socks for aquariums? I know you can get filters down in micron and below range. I wonder if it would be best to stack them like you do with reverse osmosis carbon. 5 then one micron. To strain the particulates i would think that 200, 100 then maybe 25 to 50. I have only used down to 100.

Is it practical to use a sock below 25 or so?

 

[capdippe]

Thanks guys, I've learned a lot. The only place I can put a sock in my sump, is after the skimmer, around a 3" pipe under water. The sock would be horizontal, would that work? If it doesn't make sense I can take a picture.

 

[capdippe]

Here is a pic.

 

[iroll253]

I feel like the pad in the first pic would be enough..

What kind of particles are you seeing?

Could put a baffle in the right sump and make a fuge out of it..

 

[capdippe]

Yeah I'm either really missing something or.... I don't know what, but a lot of junk collects in the sump and a lot floats in the water. I was thinking about buying this to help http://www.marinedepot.com/filters_eheim_classic_canister_external-ap.html the 2217 model.

 

[capdippe]

Good info to Ed, thanks!

 

[iroll253]

If you added the canister it would need to be cleaned once a week at least.
If everything is doing fine why change anything?

 

[capdippe]

True, I'm still new to the hobby. Didn't think all the junk in the water was ok. Every time I go to a public place and see a 400-1000 gal tank it's clean and particulate free.

 

[iroll253]

Regular maintenance is the key in my opinion, it looks like you already have the necessary equipment. Just clean that first filter pad once a week and blow your rocks off, pre water change as said and if theres no harm then i wouldn't worry about it.

 

[capdippe]

Sounds good thank you!