Using media in the filter sock

[Frogmanx82]

So I have an Eshopps R100 and I'm pretty packed in my cabinet to try to put in a reactor. I still have to jam an auto top off under this cabinet so I'm trying to make the most of what's available in the sump.

I cut the top down on a 9 inch mesh filter sock and put it over the 12 inch felt sock and put a half cup of carbon and a half cup of GFO in the mesh sock. The idea of a dual phase filter sock seems good to me as the mesh is easy to clean and replace the media in. Sure wouldn't want to dig it out of a felt sock. Anyway, was wondering if anyone else has done this and if a dual filter sock is on the market.

Also, is there an easy way to add a pic from the Reef Central album?

[thegrun]

It is a less than optimum option, but obviously better than nothing. Some of the negatives are that ideally filter socks should be cleaned every 3-4 days or the advantage they offer of removing nutrients from your system before those nutrients start to break down is largely eliminated. Secondly the low flow over the media placed in the filter sock reduces the media's effectiveness since most of the water simply takes the path of least resistance and goes around the media. This is particularly true of the GFO which really needs a high rate of flow. Will you see some benefit? Yes, but it will not be nearly as pronounced as if you had separate reactors.

[mcgyvr]

And the exhaustion rate of carbon and GFO is typically different..
GFO can be exhausted (used up) in just a few days or less.. carbon can last for weeks or more..
Hence "dual" GFO/Carbon anything really isn't the best unless each is in its own sock/chamber,etc.. so they can be replaced at different times..

[GimpyFin]

I agree with both of the above. I have the exact same sump as you, just the bigger version (R-300). I had some hair algae at one point and I tried using phosphate media in the filter sock (I put it in a seachem mesh bag, then put the bag in the sock) and, IME, it really doesn't work that well. (Both with GFO and alum. oxide variants.) I ended up putting in a small reactor (GFO) before I started seeing benefit.

[Smokey Stover]

I'd pull that shelf out and store the supplys somewhere else and expand the sump into that area.

[Frogmanx82]

Originally Posted by Smokey Stover

I'd pull that shelf out and store the supplys somewhere else and expand the sump into that area.

I'll see how this goes. I may have to give up the shelf to put in some reactors as I assume they all need more than 14 inches of height. I already have a 6 gallon water container moving under the shelf in a couple days for an auto top off.

To be clear on the mesh sock, it is open at the top and shorter than the felt sock so I think there is a lot of flow through the media. The exhaustion rate is a good point but I don't see changing GFO every few days as very likely to happen. I could clean the sock as often as I like. I don't have to dispose of the media to clean the sock.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You really shouldn't put carbon media anywhere that it might get "tumbled" in high flow. If there's enough flow that the pieces of media are tumbling or rolling, you're going to slowly grind it into dust, which can be a major factor in causing HLLE in fish - besides the point that you're ruining your media and slowly releasing all the pollutants back into the tank. I'm mentioning this because most filter socks are placed under drains and feature very high flow, more than enough to grind the media away.

Carbon can be placed in a filter bag on the floor of the sump. GFO may work in the arrangement you're discussing, it's more typical to tumble GFO media.

[Frogmanx82]

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

You really shouldn't put carbon media anywhere that it might get "tumbled" in high flow. If there's enough flow that the pieces of media are tumbling or rolling, you're going to slowly grind it into dust, which can be a major factor in causing HLLE in fish - besides the point that you're ruining your media and slowly releasing all the pollutants back into the tank. I'm mentioning this because most filter socks are placed under drains and feature very high flow, more than enough to grind the media away.

Carbon can be placed in a filter bag on the floor of the sump. GFO may work in the arrangement you're discussing, it's more typical to tumble GFO media.

Interesting on the carbon. I'm not sure if the carbon is tumbling or not. There is a lot of flow of course but the Eshopps configuration its not right under the drain. The water comes up and then flows into the sock. I may take your suggestion though and just put the carbon in a bag in the sock. That should get good flow but keep it from tumbling.