Need Help with Suspended Organics

Moebuis · 11/08/2009, 10:22 AM

I can't get rid of the crud that stays in suspension in my tank. I have plenty of flow in my 75g with an MP40w at 100% in reefcrest mode, 3 MJ mods, and 600GPH returned from sump. I'm also changing 100 micron filter socks daily and using carbon in a reactor. The tank has been setup for a year and has a glass-holes overflow. I'm wondering if I should hook up a spare AC110 with a sponge block.

I feed one small pinch (less than a 1/4 tsp) daily of NLS pellets and nori 3x per week. I have a low bioload with single yellow tang, green chromis, six-line wrasse, Ocellaris clown, and algae blenny. For inverts, I have one skunk shrimp, about 6 hermits, and a dozen or so of various snails. Most of the corals in my tank are still frags.

How can I get rid of the poo that gets blown around?

salty55 · 11/08/2009, 10:28 AM

cut down the flow a little? maybe that crud blowing around is mostly sand. LOL that's a lot of flow for a 75 gallon.

Moebuis · 11/08/2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty55

cut down the flow a little? maybe that crud blowing around is mostly sand. LOL that's a lot of flow for a 75 gallon.

I guess I should have mentioned that the tank is a BB tank. No sand. The single MP40 is on one end of the tank about 1/3 of the way down the side. Two of the MJ mods are at the bottom to blow detritius out from under the suspended rockwork (rocks are suspended by using fiberglass legs on baserocks). The last MJ mod is on the opposite corner of the MP40 aimed towards the middle of the front glass. There are no pumps aimed directly at any of the rockwork.

arredondojason · 11/08/2009, 10:48 AM

i am assuming you are running a skimmer what kind are you running.
and also what is your return flow rate from your sump.

Moebuis · 11/08/2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arredondojason

i am assuming you are running a skimmer what kind are you running.
and also what is your return flow rate from your sump.

Skimmer is a Octopus TS150 with meshmod and gatevalve mod. The return pump is an Eheim 1260 mounted externally from the sump.

eznet2u · 11/08/2009, 11:21 AM

It would mean changing them more often, but you might try this...

10 Micron filter bag.

http://www.filterbag.com/POMF10AP4P-p789.html

You could also just use it when the suspended solids get to an unacceptable level.

luther1200 · 11/08/2009, 11:21 AM

I had the same problem in my 65 right after I added a Diamond Goby. The only thing that worked for me was to add 100 micron filter pads in my filter tray. Or filter socks would work. They require a lot of changing and/or cleaning but they really did the trick. I change it out every 3-4 days now. It was more often in the begining, but it was worth it IMO. I just bought the big roles from Dr. F/S. It was like $20 for 3 packs of 3 big sheets so. 9 36"x36" sheets for $20. It has been a month or 2 and I am still on my first sheet. If I had filter socks I would buy this stuff and make my own socks its so cheap.

Moebuis · 11/08/2009, 12:02 PM

I'm using mostly 100 micron bags now. i think a few of them are 200 micron. I replace them daily. I may order a few of the 10 micron bags and see how that goes.

As for the AC110, I'm not sure what condition the sponge is in since it hasn't been used in a few years. Can I wash it with my filter socks? It's not white anymore and has an almost rust tint to it.

arredondojason · 11/08/2009, 12:24 PM

i used to use a hot mag 350 with the water polisher and that thing pulled all kinds of stuff out of my water and left it crystal clear.

Moebuis · 11/09/2009, 12:58 PM

Last night I tried hooking up my AC110 to the back of the tank. However, since my canopy's supporting brace runs along the back of the tank, the filter sat too high and created a lot of bubbles in the main tank. For now, I have a sureflow MJ mod aimed directly at the overflow hoping that it will direct more of the suspended filth to the overflow and eventually end up in the sock. As of this morning, it does look a little better, but I was kinda hoping for crystal clear water. I'm going to cut back on feedings and see if it helps get it clearer.

squid_fart · 11/09/2009, 01:34 PM

If you can visually see the particles 100 to 10 microns won't make a difference. Everything visible to the naked eye should be caught by a 100 micron bag.

11/08/2009, 10:22 AM	#1
Moebuis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 236	Need Help with Suspended Organics I can't get rid of the crud that stays in suspension in my tank. I have plenty of flow in my 75g with an MP40w at 100% in reefcrest mode, 3 MJ mods, and 600GPH returned from sump. I'm also changing 100 micron filter socks daily and using carbon in a reactor. The tank has been setup for a year and has a glass-holes overflow. I'm wondering if I should hook up a spare AC110 with a sponge block. I feed one small pinch (less than a 1/4 tsp) daily of NLS pellets and nori 3x per week. I have a low bioload with single yellow tang, green chromis, six-line wrasse, Ocellaris clown, and algae blenny. For inverts, I have one skunk shrimp, about 6 hermits, and a dozen or so of various snails. Most of the corals in my tank are still frags. How can I get rid of the poo that gets blown around?

11/08/2009, 11:21 AM	#7
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I had the same problem in my 65 right after I added a Diamond Goby. The only thing that worked for me was to add 100 micron filter pads in my filter tray. Or filter socks would work. They require a lot of changing and/or cleaning but they really did the trick. I change it out every 3-4 days now. It was more often in the begining, but it was worth it IMO. I just bought the big roles from Dr. F/S. It was like $20 for 3 packs of 3 big sheets so. 9 36"x36" sheets for $20. It has been a month or 2 and I am still on my first sheet. If I had filter socks I would buy this stuff and make my own socks its so cheap. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

11/08/2009, 10:28 AM	#2
salty55 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: where the wind comes sweeping down the plains Posts: 509	cut down the flow a little? maybe that crud blowing around is mostly sand. LOL that's a lot of flow for a 75 gallon.

11/08/2009, 10:48 AM	#4
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	i am assuming you are running a skimmer what kind are you running. and also what is your return flow rate from your sump.

11/08/2009, 11:21 AM	#6
eznet2u Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,135	It would mean changing them more often, but you might try this... 10 Micron filter bag. http://www.filterbag.com/POMF10AP4P-p789.html You could also just use it when the suspended solids get to an unacceptable level.

11/08/2009, 12:02 PM	#8
Moebuis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 236	I'm using mostly 100 micron bags now. i think a few of them are 200 micron. I replace them daily. I may order a few of the 10 micron bags and see how that goes. As for the AC110, I'm not sure what condition the sponge is in since it hasn't been used in a few years. Can I wash it with my filter socks? It's not white anymore and has an almost rust tint to it.

11/08/2009, 12:24 PM	#9
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	i used to use a hot mag 350 with the water polisher and that thing pulled all kinds of stuff out of my water and left it crystal clear.

11/09/2009, 12:58 PM	#10
Moebuis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 236	Last night I tried hooking up my AC110 to the back of the tank. However, since my canopy's supporting brace runs along the back of the tank, the filter sat too high and created a lot of bubbles in the main tank. For now, I have a sureflow MJ mod aimed directly at the overflow hoping that it will direct more of the suspended filth to the overflow and eventually end up in the sock. As of this morning, it does look a little better, but I was kinda hoping for crystal clear water. I'm going to cut back on feedings and see if it helps get it clearer.

11/09/2009, 01:34 PM	#11
squid_fart Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 61	If you can visually see the particles 100 to 10 microns won't make a difference. Everything visible to the naked eye should be caught by a 100 micron bag.