green sponge use in sump

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 08:22 AM

I just made some changes to my sump and due to lack of chambers I have it ordered

return through socks ( small chamber , not big enough for skimmer )
refugium, just chaeto and some live rock
return with skimmer and ATO

Question is, there is a green sponge between refug and return. Is that counter productive? Should I remove it?

Thanks

mcgyvr · 04/03/2018, 09:06 AM

The benefit of the sponge is that it will catch loose chaeto preventing it from getting potentially clogged in the return pump..

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

The benefit of the sponge is that it will catch loose chaeto preventing it from getting potentially clogged in the return pump..

Very good, i was thinking it was supposed to get in to the main display for food. lol

mcgyvr · 04/03/2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cluanar

Very good, i was thinking it was supposed to get in to the main display for food. lol

That depends.. In general Chaeto isn't the best macro for a food source by any means.. Now a filter may also block pods,etc... that can certainly be a food source in the tank..

IMO I avoid any/all mechanical filtration (socks/sponges,etc...) in my tanks.. I believe that its best to let everything flow unblocked through the system so that potential food/detritus,etc... can be allowed to flow around to be consumed vs just trapping it into a sock/sponge,etc..
Now thats also because I will NOT get into a maintenance schedule with my tank where I am washing socks/sponges every couple days..

Socks,etc.. need to be cleaned frequently if your intent is to remove compounds/poop,etc.. from a tank before it breaks down into nitrates,etc...

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

That depends.. In general Chaeto isn't the best macro for a food source by any means.. Now a filter may also block pods,etc... that can certainly be a food source in the tank..

IMO I avoid any/all mechanical filtration (socks/sponges,etc...) in my tanks.. I believe that its best to let everything flow unblocked through the system so that potential food/detritus,etc... can be allowed to flow around to be consumed vs just trapping it into a sock/sponge,etc..
Now thats also because I will NOT get into a maintenance schedule with my tank where I am washing socks/sponges every couple days..

Socks,etc.. need to be cleaned frequently if your intent is to remove compounds/poop,etc.. from a tank before it breaks down into nitrates,etc...

so would you recommend intake with no socks, refuge with chaeto ( i have some live rock in there, and return with no skimmer and no sponges at all.?

Thanks

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 10:53 AM

I also have this which the seller told me i can leave it unchanged as he never changed it. GFP reactor?

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cluanar

I also have this which the seller told me i can leave it unchanged as he never changed it. GFO reactor?

mcgyvr · 04/03/2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cluanar

so would you recommend intake with no socks, refuge with chaeto ( i have some live rock in there, and return with no skimmer and no sponges at all.?

Thanks

I run no socks (I have provisions for them only on maintenance days if I want to stir up the tank and remove it but won't run them regularly)..
I do have a fuge section with chaeto (actually has other macro algae in it.. dragons breath/caulerpa/red razor,etc... because I like variety) and one larger rock..
I do run a skimmer (its chemical filtration really not mechanical)..
And I WILL most certainly keep "real sponges" in that area but do not use any sponges like you describe in my sumps..

I do not recommend running GFO unless you have a known/real phosphate problem that you can't solve in any other way.. GFO is quite powerful and can do more harm than good when used incorrectly/excessively.. I have NEVER needed GFO in 15+ years of reefing..

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I run no socks (I have provisions for them only on maintenance days if I want to stir up the tank and remove it but won't run them regularly)..
I do have a fuge section with chaeto (actually has other macro algae in it.. dragons breath/caulerpa/red razor,etc... because I like variety) and one larger rock..
I do run a skimmer (its chemical filtration really not mechanical)..
And I WILL most certainly keep "real sponges" in that area but do not use any sponges like you describe in my sumps..

I do not recommend running GFO unless you have a known/real phosphate problem that you can't solve in any other way.. GFO is quite powerful and can do more harm than good when used incorrectly/excessively.. I have NEVER needed GFO in 15+ years of reefing..

Truly appreciate your input.

Thanks Much

Cluanar · 04/03/2018, 12:54 PM

so here is my current set up.

I am also getting a clean up crew in hopes to eliminate so nitrates and diatoms. gettign brown dusting on glass and sand.

mcgyvr · 04/03/2018, 03:36 PM

diatoms/green hair and film algae and even cyano should totally be expected and treated as normal in a new tank..
It will pass on its own usually..
diatoms specifically as silicates get used up provided they aren't being replenished..

04/03/2018, 08:22 AM	#1
Cluanar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 54	green sponge use in sump I just made some changes to my sump and due to lack of chambers I have it ordered return through socks ( small chamber , not big enough for skimmer ) refugium, just chaeto and some live rock return with skimmer and ATO Question is, there is a green sponge between refug and return. Is that counter productive? Should I remove it? Thanks

04/03/2018, 09:06 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	The benefit of the sponge is that it will catch loose chaeto preventing it from getting potentially clogged in the return pump.. __________________ Who me?

04/03/2018, 03:36 PM	#11
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	diatoms/green hair and film algae and even cyano should totally be expected and treated as normal in a new tank.. It will pass on its own usually.. diatoms specifically as silicates get used up provided they aren't being replenished.. __________________ Who me?

04/03/2018, 10:53 AM	#6
Cluanar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 54	I also have this which the seller told me i can leave it unchanged as he never changed it. GFP reactor?

04/03/2018, 12:54 PM	#10
Cluanar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 54	so here is my current set up. I am also getting a clean up crew in hopes to eliminate so nitrates and diatoms. gettign brown dusting on glass and sand.