Overflow over perlon or socks

alexebrenz · 01/05/2014, 08:26 AM

I'm planning a marine tank with 110g.

In some sump schemes the overflow drops into the skimmer chamber then it goes to the perlon filtration.

In most setups I saw the overflow going direct to the sock.

Either socks and perlon are for physical filtration.

I understand perlon is easier to maintain since we can throw it away.

Why people do not put the overflow over the perlon as they do with socks? In my point of view it should be the first phase of the filtration, unloading the skimmer tasks.

patsfan1130 · 01/05/2014, 08:54 AM

This is a highly debated topic - There are those that don't employ socks as they trap everything (good and bad) and they need to be changed every couple 3 days.

oscarinw · 01/05/2014, 05:20 PM

It can be done. In fact both the sock and the fabric media do the same job as you suggest so there is no preference in my opinion. I personally don't use the media type of filtration and only use a sock once or twice a month for 3-5 days.
A few years ago, when bio balls were popular, it was common to see the piece of 'perlon' sitting on top of the bio balls box but I read in some places that it posed an overflow risk as it would clog and water would be diverted to the sides. Just a thought

01/05/2014, 08:26 AM	#1
alexebrenz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 34	Overflow over perlon or socks I'm planning a marine tank with 110g. In some sump schemes the overflow drops into the skimmer chamber then it goes to the perlon filtration. In most setups I saw the overflow going direct to the sock. Either socks and perlon are for physical filtration. I understand perlon is easier to maintain since we can throw it away. Why people do not put the overflow over the perlon as they do with socks? In my point of view it should be the first phase of the filtration, unloading the skimmer tasks.

01/05/2014, 08:54 AM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	This is a highly debated topic - There are those that don't employ socks as they trap everything (good and bad) and they need to be changed every couple 3 days. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

01/05/2014, 05:20 PM	#3
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	It can be done. In fact both the sock and the fabric media do the same job as you suggest so there is no preference in my opinion. I personally don't use the media type of filtration and only use a sock once or twice a month for 3-5 days. A few years ago, when bio balls were popular, it was common to see the piece of 'perlon' sitting on top of the bio balls box but I read in some places that it posed an overflow risk as it would clog and water would be diverted to the sides. Just a thought