Return pump pre-filter

[Optionman]

I see pods living in my chaeto reactor and sump, but I’ve always had a foam pre-filter covering my return pump, so do they make it back into the reef? The pre-filter appears teaming with life, starfish shaped primarily. My reef’s wrasses appear fat and happy so I assume enough must. Thanks.




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[DesertReefT4r]

The pods wont survive a ride through the pump anyways, think of it like a blender. I personally ended up removing the filter sponge from my return pump on my old Mag Drive. Its a waste trap unless its cleaned several times a week and its restict the pumps flow especially when dirty. To ensure my displays would maintain a good pod population I would catch pods in my fuge and dump them in the display.

[slief]

Originally Posted by DesertReefT4r

The pods wont survive a ride through the pump anyways, think of it like a blender. I personally ended up removing the filter sponge from my return pump on my old Mag Drive. Its a waste trap unless its cleaned several times a week and its restict the pumps flow especially when dirty. To ensure my displays would maintain a good pod population I would catch pods in my fuge and dump them in the display.

Pods survive the ride through return pumps without issue. The blades create a vacuum which sucks the water (and pods) through and only contacts a very small percentage of the water that passes through the motor. Sure, some will die but only a small percentage. If you don’t believe me, add some pods to your sump when the lights are off and then use a flash light to look into the display both before and after adding the pods. You will see them swimming around just fine.

A foam pre-filter will likely prevent some from making it into the display.

[ca1ore]

You may want to consider just using a screen on the pump. I never liked using a foam prefilter; preferring an unconstrained suction side to my pumps.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by DesertReefT4r

The pods wont survive a ride through the pump anyways, think of it like a blender. I personally ended up removing the filter sponge from my return pump on my old Mag Drive. Its a waste trap unless its cleaned several times a week and its restict the pumps flow especially when dirty. To ensure my displays would maintain a good pod population I would catch pods in my fuge and dump them in the display.

Sure they can, especially the smaller ones and free swimming stages. The smaller a animal is the less it’s affected.


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[Indymann99]

Return pump "pre-filter" is useless... ditch that ASAP.

[Optionman]

Thanks for all the responses.


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[lapin]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You may want to consider just using a screen on the pump. I never liked using a foam prefilter; preferring an unconstrained suction side to my pumps.

+1 The screen will keep larger critters like snails and crabs from becoming blender food. But then blender food might be a good thing.

[ca1ore]

FWIW, I use a screen/strainer on the suction side of my pumps primarily as debris protection for the pump itself.

[bif24701]

My Varios pump has a screen and I use it. I would never use a sponge or “filter”.


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[Optionman]

Just a follow up. Best thing I’ve done in a while was removing the foam pre-filter. My Red Sea tank’s overflow valve was constantly needing adjustment and the foam filter was the underlying cause.


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[slief]

Originally Posted by Optionman

Just a follow up. Best thing I’ve done in a while was removing the foam pre-filter. My Red Sea tank’s overflow valve was constantly needing adjustment and the foam filter was the underlying cause.


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That’s good to hear. Foam filters are a No No on return pumps. People do it all the time but they clog up and restrict the return pumps intake which is something you never want to do to a return pump. Not only do they clog up quickly and change the return flow but you can also cause premature failure of the pump due to increased loads on the motor as it struggles to get sufficient flow going into the pump. Kind of like if you take a straw and place your finger over the tip to restrict flow as you try to suck air into it. If you need to protect the pumps intake from intrusion, the best thing is either a long PVC pipe that is capped at one end with lots of holes drilled into the pipe or an egg crate box with screen covering it to go around the pump with ample space (a couple inches or more) between the intake and the box.