Cleaning foam in my sump

buddah001 · 01/15/2008, 09:22 AM

When my foam become dirty in my sump should I use water from the tank to clean it out or is it ok to use ro/di water? Will using the fresh water kill of the bacteria on the foam?

Entropy · 01/15/2008, 09:59 AM

Where is the foam located? I am guessing it is in the baffles to help reduce bubbles? If that is the case I don't think you need to worry about the bacteria since the foam is not really being used for that purpose. The best solution IMO would be to get a new piece of foam and then let the other piece soak for a while to get it cleaner. Then you can just rotate the two pieces whenever one gets dirty and don't have to worry about shutting down the flow while you clean it.

buddah001 · 01/15/2008, 10:09 AM

Yes I put it in the baffles to lower the micro bubbles but now it is dirty and the input side of the sump is way higher than the return side. I am not relying on it to clean my water at all so rinsing in ro water is ok ?

Entropy · 01/15/2008, 11:08 AM

It is fine IMO. I am just not sure how clean you will be able to get it by just rinsing. I use a filter sock for the same purpose and once it gets dirty I have to bleach it to get it clean again. Still rinsing it in RO is fine. To be honest, as long as you squeeze all the water out of it afterwards you can go ahead and use straight tap water. Thats what I do with my filter sock.

01/15/2008, 09:22 AM	#1
buddah001 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Genoa, IL Posts: 599	Cleaning foam in my sump When my foam become dirty in my sump should I use water from the tank to clean it out or is it ok to use ro/di water? Will using the fresh water kill of the bacteria on the foam?

01/15/2008, 09:59 AM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Where is the foam located? I am guessing it is in the baffles to help reduce bubbles? If that is the case I don't think you need to worry about the bacteria since the foam is not really being used for that purpose. The best solution IMO would be to get a new piece of foam and then let the other piece soak for a while to get it cleaner. Then you can just rotate the two pieces whenever one gets dirty and don't have to worry about shutting down the flow while you clean it. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

01/15/2008, 11:08 AM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	It is fine IMO. I am just not sure how clean you will be able to get it by just rinsing. I use a filter sock for the same purpose and once it gets dirty I have to bleach it to get it clean again. Still rinsing it in RO is fine. To be honest, as long as you squeeze all the water out of it afterwards you can go ahead and use straight tap water. Thats what I do with my filter sock. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

01/15/2008, 10:09 AM	#3
buddah001 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Genoa, IL Posts: 599	Yes I put it in the baffles to lower the micro bubbles but now it is dirty and the input side of the sump is way higher than the return side. I am not relying on it to clean my water at all so rinsing in ro water is ok ?