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Unread 03/16/2014, 01:09 AM   #1
Reefer54
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Has anyone tried an air filter

In the sump, to replace filter socks and sponge\floss filters.

The idea is pretty sound to me. Use a new car air filter that is not made with any metal parts. The filters themselves are typically not treated with anything that we dont put in our tanks (though more research will be made to confirm this)

i see it being a great filter for people like me who never wanted filter socks and such, did not plan a way to put them in, but am sick of sponge filters. I depend largely on my skimmer, but still find myself cleaning the sponges out every 3 days for the primary and every 1 - 2 weeks for the secondary (depending on what the water tells me)

i believe one of the most desirable points of this is the large variations in lengths and widths out there...just about anyone should be able to find one that will fit in their sump.

I also believe the shape of car air filters will be a great way to trap and hold large amounts of organics, though the time between cleanings and such probably will not differ too much.


Any thoughts, ideas, or experience out there with these


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Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....
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Unread 03/16/2014, 01:29 AM   #2
Cloudburst2000
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Sounds risky to me.


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Unread 03/16/2014, 02:19 AM   #3
Kairus
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I don't see any advantage over filter socks. I don't think it would be as easy to clean, or as cheap to replace. Plus with filter socks you can pick how fine of a material you want, and there's a lot of different sizes available.


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Unread 03/16/2014, 06:26 AM   #4
Crusinjimbo
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I think it might be way too efficient at removing nutrients and constant exposure to water might cause fiber breakdown. The bigger issue is why do you need a sock or sponge filter at all.


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Unread 03/17/2014, 01:46 AM   #5
Reefer54
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It was just an idea that popped in my head. thought perhaps it would work and wondered if anyone else ever thought of or tried it.

Kairus, i feel what you are saying. your points are valid.

Crusin, fiber breakdown is a concern. regarding sponge\sock...i overfeed, am lax on water changes so long as my params are in check (less trace elements, i have no way of testing those), and really dont like Shtuff floating around the tank. i rely on my skimmer and it works, but i am anal about clear water. I also have a custom sump that took a 75g tank and split it lengthwise instead of width-wise so return and drain were as close as possible to the same spot and doubled the distance the water travels back to return (like two "L" shapes fit together like Tetris) which would make it easy to find a filter that fit in the baffles....again, just an idea.

anybody see the ghetto rig thread, this should have posted there i think. lol.


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Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....
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Unread 03/17/2014, 05:20 AM   #6
Crusinjimbo
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I use a sock only when I clean the upper surface of my sand bed and remove it after two hours or so. My skimmer and small upflow algae turf scrubber are the only mechanical filtration used. Water is typically crystal clear. Your sump sounds interesting and is definitely large enough.


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