Sump Maintenance, how often to clean?

[RyanMizzell]

Mainly how often to clean overflow, filter socks. When to change filter soaks, etc. Anything besides carbon I, should use for the filter socks? Maybe some GFO or something similar?

[Jerzey]

i rarely clean my overflow box maybe every 4-6 months.... as far as filter socks i clean/change out every 2-3 days depending how it looks... i run my carbon and gfo in a reactor carbon can easily be ran in a filter sock and be efficient as far as gfo i've never ran it with a filter sock but gfo works best when tumbled slowly in a reactor i'm sure it's still works through a sock but why half step in this hobby especially when you can pick up a media reactor between $60 -$100 +.... but if your pressed for space gfo threw a sock is better then not running it all

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Jerzey

i rarely clean my overflow box maybe every 4-6 months.... as far as filter socks i clean/change out every 2-3 days depending how it looks... i run my carbon and gfo in a reactor carbon can easily be ran in a filter sock and be efficient as far as gfo i've never ran it with a filter sock but gfo works best when tumbled slowly in a reactor i'm sure it's still works through a sock but why half step in this hobby especially when you can pick up a media reactor between $60 -$100 +.... but if your pressed for space gfo threw a sock is better then not running it all

Thanks for your advice, an your help/tip on reactors. Also I didnt know GFO had to be tumbled/pressure or agitated. I think I'll run carbon on both socks. And when I get a chance look at, my options on media reactors, etc. Are there any brands you'd recommend? Also any pointers on media (carbon) an brands maybe?

[RyanMizzell]

How far do you fill your socks up?

[ca1ore]

If you use filter sock (I do not) then they should be cleaned regularly - at least every couple of days. Filling one with media doesn't seem like a particularly good idea frankly. Will make cleaning them a pain, and as the media clogs water will just flow over rather than through it. Look into one of the phosban 150 reactors. Good value and they work fine. Also, FWIW, surface of GFO should be 'bubbling' but material is friable so vigorous tumbling will destroy it.

[Allentown]

Filter socks can be changed from twice a week for softy or lps tanks to q48 hours for Sps. I started on a 2x a week schedule but I up it to q48 hrs any time I see even a hint of nuisance algae.

[Jerzey]

Originally Posted by RyanMizzell

Thanks for your advice, an your help/tip on reactors. Also I didnt know GFO had to be tumbled/pressure or agitated. I think I'll run carbon on both socks. And when I get a chance look at, my options on media reactors, etc. Are there any brands you'd recommend? Also any pointers on media (carbon) an brands maybe?

go with a phosban reactor 150 there very affordable and do the job just as well as the expensive ones you'll need a little power head or pump its recommended to flow about 60-80 gph through gfo but depending how much media your using it may may vary to get the perfect tumbling action and if you have a pump that's to strong like i do it comes with a flow adjustment dial to fine tune your media so there's a slight tumble so don't worry if you have a pump lying around that's to strong it will do
$42.99 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosba...FU8V7AodoAoACw

also i use the same reactor with carbon/gfo at the same time occasionally i first put my carbon in then i made a divider from a filter pad and cut it to size so it fits in between the carbon and gfo and it works perfectly the carbon stays on the bottom and the gfo tumbles above it flawlessly and the two media's don't mix that way.... when it comes to media brands for carbon i've always used black diamond carbon but i'm thinking of trying something else i've herd its not that good but i still need to research to make sure... gfo i've always used coralvue but just bought gfo of ebay that was significantly cheaper as i've herd gfo is gfo but just have to make sure it's not leeching phosphates back in my tank but will see

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Jerzey

go with a phosban reactor 150 there very affordable and do the job just as well as the expensive ones you'll need a little power head or pump its recommended to flow about 60-80 gph through gfo but depending how much media your using it may may vary to get the perfect tumbling action and if you have a pump that's to strong like i do it comes with a flow adjustment dial to fine tune your media so there's a slight tumble so don't worry if you have a pump lying around that's to strong it will do
$42.99 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosba...FU8V7AodoAoACw

also i use the same reactor with carbon/gfo at the same time occasionally i first put my carbon in then i made a divider from a filter pad and cut it to size so it fits in between the carbon and gfo and it works perfectly the carbon stays on the bottom and the gfo tumbles above it flawlessly and the two media's don't mix that way.... when it comes to media brands for carbon i've always used black diamond carbon but i'm thinking of trying something else i've herd its not that good but i still need to research to make sure... gfo i've always used coralvue but just bought gfo of ebay that was significantly cheaper as i've herd gfo is gfo but just have to make sure it's not leeching phosphates back in my tank but will see

Awesome help bud so I shouldn't run, anything through my sump filter socks? And I love your whole divider creation! When I look into phosban reactors ill be doing this! It'll have double the use!. So what do you use, for your filter socks? Also thanks for all your tips/advice.

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Allentown

Filter socks can be changed from twice a week for softy or lps tanks to q48 hours for Sps. I started on a 2x a week schedule but I up it to q48 hrs any time I see even a hint of nuisance algae.

Sounds good to me, what are you socks holding? Or do you leave them empty?

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

If you use filter sock (I do not) then they should be cleaned regularly - at least every couple of days. Filling one with media doesn't seem like a particularly good idea frankly. Will make cleaning them a pain, and as the media clogs water will just flow over rather than through it. Look into one of the phosban 150 reactors. Good value and they work fine. Also, FWIW, surface of GFO should be 'bubbling' but material is friable so vigorous tumbling will destroy it.

Thanks for explaing GFO treatment! I thought it was similar to carbon. Also the tip on the filter socks. I thought you were suppose, to fill socks with carbon! I'll look into the reactor. Thanks for the response.

[Allentown]

Originally Posted by RyanMizzell

Sounds good to me, what are you socks holding? Or do you leave them empty?

I used to put carbon in socks but then I just decided it was easier to run carbon in a canister filter. I have my intake from the cannister after the sock to keep junk out of it and the return dumps back into the sock.

[Jerzey]

i use cheap filter socks from petsmart there like a $1 a piece i only use them to catch floating debris mainly to keep my sump free of crap.... when i say tumbling its like caior said its a very slight tumble also looks like its bubbling fine tune the flow of the reactor to the point the media just begins to bubble the media the gfo should NOT be floating around in the reactor it should look like it's vibrating.... i would stay away from the high micro socks they are to fine and will get clogged up extremely fast

[Daimyo68]

Most stores will carry 100 and 200 micron socks. The lower the number, the tighter the mesh and the faster they will clog. Get yourself on a regular schedule of swapping them out, and then rinsing and hanging to dry. After several months of use, you can also bleach them to bring them back to a white color. Just search the forums here on how to do so.

On that note, I run a 25 micron sock and change it every 4-5 days, medium bioload and heavy feeding. When I ran 100/200 micron socks, I could go a week without worry.

On the reactor, the GFO should just barely be moving at the surface/top of the media, almost like it is boiling. In the video linked here, from about 30 seconds on, you can see this action. Tumbling the entire mass of media will cause it to "grind" against itself, which in turn will cause dust and the media to expire early.

If you don't get a reactor right away, you can use a filter bag (couple bucks a any LFS), and hang it in your sump.

I do have to ask though, why are your running carbon, and want to run GFO? Are you having issues that require these to be run?

Also the amount of GFO used will depend on your tank size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9xY5dxkg78&noredirect=1

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

Most stores will carry 100 and 200 micron socks. The lower the number, the tighter the mesh and the faster they will clog. Get yourself on a regular schedule of swapping them out, and then rinsing and hanging to dry. After several months of use, you can also bleach them to bring them back to a white color. Just search the forums here on how to do so.

On that note, I run a 25 micron sock and change it every 4-5 days, medium bioload and heavy feeding. When I ran 100/200 micron socks, I could go a week without worry.

On the reactor, the GFO should just barely be moving at the surface/top of the media, almost like it is boiling. In the video linked here, from about 30 seconds on, you can see this action. Tumbling the entire mass of media will cause it to "grind" against itself, which in turn will cause dust and the media to expire early.

If you don't get a reactor right away, you can use a filter bag (couple bucks a any LFS), and hang it in your sump.

I do have to ask though, why are your running carbon, and want to run GFO? Are you having issues that require these to be run?

Also the amount of GFO used will depend on your tank size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9xY5dxkg78&noredirect=1

Thanks for all the help. My current filtration is a biowheel 200, I use carbon cartridges this is why I asked. My sumps not currently running. So this is wherew the sump questions come from. I have no problem with phosphates. I'd like to be extra safe. I generally just wanted something besides carbon. Couldn't I use these filter bags in my HOB Biowheel? Or they'd be fine sitting in the sump? I can't wait next Wednesday, an all the sump plumbing will be here! I'll make sure to have extra water made!

[Daimyo68]

Originally Posted by RyanMizzell

Thanks for all the help. My current filtration is a biowheel 200, I use carbon cartridges this is why I asked. My sumps not currently running. So this is wherew the sump questions come from. I have no problem with phosphates. I'd like to be extra safe. I generally just wanted something besides carbon. Couldn't I use these filter bags in my HOB Biowheel? Or they'd be fine sitting in the sump? I can't wait next Wednesday, an all the sump plumbing will be here! I'll make sure to have extra water made!

Adding the sump will be a nice addition for volume, as well as keeping everything out of site.

Yes you can use the filter bag in the HOB, or hang them in the sump.

If your not having any issue at this point, and your levels are testing good, then I would continue with the same regimen that you are using now, even after you add your sump. If at some point you see a phosphate or algae issue starting, then add the GFO. There's plenty of system out there that don't run gfo or carbon, and they look great. Good husbandry and balance make for an uncomplicated system.

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

Adding the sump will be a nice addition for volume, as well as keeping everything out of site.

Yes you can use the filter bag in the HOB, or hang them in the sump.

If your not having any issue at this point, and your levels are testing good, then I would continue with the same regimen that you are using now, even after you add your sump. If at some point you see a phosphate or algae issue starting, then add the GFO. There's plenty of system out there that don't run gfo or carbon, and they look great. Good husbandry and balance make for an uncomplicated system.

Thanks for the sump advice. Another question should I upgrade my, Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer? Its rated for 75 gallons. Or should I use the rule of thumb? Double the volume to skimmer size. . . ? What do you think would be more, beneficial for my reef system. A sump setup for Berlin filtration, or a refuge setup?

[Daimyo68]

How many gallons will your system be when the sump is added?

As for fuge or no fuge, I've done both, and been successful with both. The last 2 setups had a fuge that was at least 10% of the system volume, my current 150g has a small area for LR rubble and some chaeto, no DSB this time. With the right filtration, be it chemical or natural, your system can look good either way.

[RyanMizzell]

It'll go from 36 to 50 gallons. So either way Berlin or refuge?

[Daimyo68]

You can do a fuge, but it can be argued that it will not be enough to make a difference.

Either way will be fine. If this is your first sump, then I would suggest berlin style, with some chaeto in one chamber. It keeps it simple and easier to clean when needed. (The Chaeto doesn't have to be a huge ball of chaeto either. Just a baseball-softball sized piece and trim as it grows).

The skimmer should be fine with the volume. If you plan on adding fish down the road, then you may need something bigger, but I can say from personal experience with that skimmer, that it's a beast for being a HOB.

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

You can do a fuge, but it can be argued that it will not be enough to make a difference.

Either way will be fine. If this is your first sump, then I would suggest berlin style, with some chaeto in one chamber. It keeps it simple and easier to clean when needed. (The Chaeto doesn't have to be a huge ball of chaeto either. Just a baseball-softball sized piece and trim as it grows).

The skimmer should be fine with the volume. If you plan on adding fish down the road, then you may need something bigger, but I can say from personal experience with that skimmer, that it's a beast for being a HOB.

I wanted to do a Berlin setup, and if I can use chateo awesome. I dont need a reuge light for the chaeto? Or do I need a light? Yeah I'll trim it an sell it back to my lfs. Yeah the Aquamaxx HOB-1 is a beastly none cone style skimmer. Only con is having to adjust the skimmer cup. I personally would love to control skim mate, with a simple air ventri valve. Its by far my favorite HOB skimmer. I love how quiet it is, an I should know my setups in the master bedroom! Though I dont use my air silencer, without using the silencer the air has no restrictions. Heavier for effective skimming > slight quietness'. I believe WM took over AquaMaxx. So ideally its a WM with a AquaMaxx sticker. IIRC

[RyanMizzell]

Originally Posted by RyanMizzell

I wanted to do a Berlin setup, and if I can use chateo awesome. I dont need a reuge light for the chaeto? Or do I need a light? Yeah I'll trim it an sell it back to my lfs. Yeah the Aquamaxx HOB-1 is a beastly none cone style skimmer. Only con is having to adjust the skimmer cup. I personally would love to control skim mate, with a simple air ventri valve. Its by far my favorite HOB skimmer. I love how quiet it is, an I should know my setups in the master bedroom! Though I dont use my air silencer, without using the silencer the air has no restrictions. Heavier for effective skimming > slight quietness'. I believe WM took over AquaMaxx. So ideally its a WM with a AquaMaxx sticker. IIRC

Heavier more* effective skimming > slight quietness'