Filter sock causing overflow?

jcraft · 07/03/2006, 05:51 AM

have you ever had a problem with a filtersock overflowing your aquarium?

Water from my 120 drains from a standpipe into a filter sock that is attached to the end of the pipe. The problem seems to arise when water backs up in the standpipe b/c the water is being pumped in by the return pump faster than water can pass through the sock.

It's not a matter of cleaning the sock- I did that yesterday . . . and theres only about 400gph going into the display, so it's not like I'm using an oversized pump . . .

I may have to nix the whole filter sock idea . . . or maybe get a holder for the sock so that water overflows out the sock from the top when it gets full? Right now all I did was use cable ties to secure the sock t the pipe

thanks for the help

sjm817 · 07/03/2006, 08:46 AM

It should just overflow the top of the sock. The top should be open, not clamped to the drain.

IBASSFSH · 07/03/2006, 02:49 PM

The drain pipe really shuld not be submerged. If it is it should have grooves cut into it diagonally to allow air to escape above the water line.

BLockamon · 07/04/2006, 09:24 AM

What they said...make sure there is a gap so that the sock can overflow without backing up the return line.

If it's clamped to the overflow pipe, the backup may have a lot to do with entrained air that can't escape fast enough and hampers water flow through the sock.

One other though, what micron size is the sock. The smaller the size, the lower the flow rate. However, 400 gph should be fine for a 100 micron sock.

07/03/2006, 05:51 AM	#1
jcraft Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 274	Filter sock causing overflow? have you ever had a problem with a filtersock overflowing your aquarium? Water from my 120 drains from a standpipe into a filter sock that is attached to the end of the pipe. The problem seems to arise when water backs up in the standpipe b/c the water is being pumped in by the return pump faster than water can pass through the sock. It's not a matter of cleaning the sock- I did that yesterday . . . and theres only about 400gph going into the display, so it's not like I'm using an oversized pump . . . I may have to nix the whole filter sock idea . . . or maybe get a holder for the sock so that water overflows out the sock from the top when it gets full? Right now all I did was use cable ties to secure the sock t the pipe thanks for the help

07/03/2006, 08:46 AM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	It should just overflow the top of the sock. The top should be open, not clamped to the drain. __________________ - Scott

07/03/2006, 02:49 PM	#3
IBASSFSH Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lawrence Kansas Posts: 979	Filter sock The drain pipe really shuld not be submerged. If it is it should have grooves cut into it diagonally to allow air to escape above the water line.

07/04/2006, 09:24 AM	#4
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	What they said...make sure there is a gap so that the sock can overflow without backing up the return line. If it's clamped to the overflow pipe, the backup may have a lot to do with entrained air that can't escape fast enough and hampers water flow through the sock. One other though, what micron size is the sock. The smaller the size, the lower the flow rate. However, 400 gph should be fine for a 100 micron sock.