setup question

kevinohio · 08/23/2007, 12:33 PM

I have an undrilled tank, so I am running an overflow box going to the sump.
It has a sponge like cylinder cover over the it. To filter large particles i am sure.

Well long and short of it is that it is FILTHY all the time.
I was not sure if i can just remove it or not. At the time it goes to a wet/dry once piece unit, that is really more of a sump now since I am not using bioballs. I plan to covert to a straight sump in the near furture I think, but for now since it is not one I do not have the place to put a filter sock.

If I cannot remove it I assume i should get a second one and rotate them. but what can i clean it with? Just rinse it?

4fishman · 08/23/2007, 12:38 PM

IMHO - remove the foam, it will only provide a place for nitrates to collect. Add a skimmer.

kevinohio · 08/23/2007, 12:42 PM

yep I have a skimmer. I want to remove the foam I just want to be sure it is ok to do so. I am SURE it is a nice place to add nitrates to the tank because all the garbae it seems to collect. Looks NASTY.

bpd964 · 08/23/2007, 12:43 PM

Remove the foam..

tigga07 · 08/23/2007, 01:22 PM

Remove foam for sure. It's considered a nitrate factory in the SW world. Nitrates are something you hardly want in a SW system that is why a skimmer is used to remove the organic stuff before it converts to nitrates.

kevinohio · 08/23/2007, 01:34 PM

thats what i thougt. I was jsut wondering why the hell they put it on there in the first place. Since this wsa designed for a SW tank

bpd964 · 08/23/2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kevinohio
thats what i thougt. I was jsut wondering why the hell they put it on there in the first place. Since this wsa designed for a SW tank

To keep particles out...

kevinohio · 08/23/2007, 02:02 PM

BOk i am a bit confused then i guess. So i take it out and let the skimmer deal with the particals?
If I leave it in I can imagine how much is is adding the the nitrates, which are not that bad now at 15. If i take it out the particals with get caught in the skinner i assume?

08/23/2007, 12:33 PM	#1
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	setup question I have an undrilled tank, so I am running an overflow box going to the sump. It has a sponge like cylinder cover over the it. To filter large particles i am sure. Well long and short of it is that it is FILTHY all the time. I was not sure if i can just remove it or not. At the time it goes to a wet/dry once piece unit, that is really more of a sump now since I am not using bioballs. I plan to covert to a straight sump in the near furture I think, but for now since it is not one I do not have the place to put a filter sock. If I cannot remove it I assume i should get a second one and rotate them. but what can i clean it with? Just rinse it? __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

08/23/2007, 12:42 PM	#3
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	yep I have a skimmer. I want to remove the foam I just want to be sure it is ok to do so. I am SURE it is a nice place to add nitrates to the tank because all the garbae it seems to collect. Looks NASTY. __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

08/23/2007, 01:34 PM	#6
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	thats what i thougt. I was jsut wondering why the hell they put it on there in the first place. Since this wsa designed for a SW tank __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

08/23/2007, 02:02 PM	#8
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	BOk i am a bit confused then i guess. So i take it out and let the skimmer deal with the particals? If I leave it in I can imagine how much is is adding the the nitrates, which are not that bad now at 15. If i take it out the particals with get caught in the skinner i assume? __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

08/23/2007, 12:38 PM	#2
4fishman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mt. Laurel, NJ Posts: 64	IMHO - remove the foam, it will only provide a place for nitrates to collect. Add a skimmer.

08/23/2007, 12:43 PM	#4
bpd964 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bridgeport, CT Posts: 2,237	Remove the foam..

08/23/2007, 01:22 PM	#5
tigga07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 35	Remove foam for sure. It's considered a nitrate factory in the SW world. Nitrates are something you hardly want in a SW system that is why a skimmer is used to remove the organic stuff before it converts to nitrates.