Sponges....good or bad??

Cathman · 08/11/2006, 02:24 AM

I have an oceanic sump and in between the sections in it, there is a black sponge for filtering and reducing the micro bubbles. Are these sponges good or bad? Do they become nitrate factories like bio balls or are they ok? I take it out and clean it occasionally....when i notice the water levels in the sump become uneven between the entry side and exit side. When i do clean it, tons of brown crud does come out of it.

Would it be better to remove it and use a filter sock on my entry drains and clean it frequently or just leave this sponge and let it do its job? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

Blown 346 · 08/11/2006, 03:37 AM

Sponges arent bad, but they will like you said turn into nitrate factories if not cleaned.
I would clean it out once a week, you will be fine.

A filter sock will also work but will have to be cleaned out wekkly or more depending

SeanySean · 08/11/2006, 04:19 AM

I use sponges withought any nitrate issues, they just need to be cleaned out every week

Cathman · 08/12/2006, 11:26 PM

Anyone else have any thoughts? Do they need to be cleaned weekly or more? Also, do you clean them in old tank water to keep the bacteria or do you clean them in the sink, etc.

yoboyjdizz · 08/12/2006, 11:58 PM

i would clean them often and in ro/di water...

Mrs.kbmdale · 08/13/2006, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cathman
Anyone else have any thoughts? Do they need to be cleaned weekly or more? Also, do you clean them in old tank water to keep the bacteria or do you clean them in the sink, etc.

WEEKLY with preferably ro/di water, but treated tap is fine as well, and you won't have nitrate issues.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing!
Brianna

Cathman · 08/13/2006, 01:21 AM

So what do people use as mechanical filtration? Is a skimmer alone enough to do the job? Seems like i always have crud in a thin layer in the bottom of my sump. Is there a way to get rid of this other than a filter sock? Seems like it would be the same as having a sponge using the sock. Thoughts please.

masterqaz · 08/13/2006, 07:51 AM

question.... why would you care about using tap water on it. You guys are talking about it killing the bacteria. Well wouldn't that be the point, since you dont want it to start the nitrogen cycle and produce nitrates.....

Cathman · 08/13/2006, 01:00 PM

I agree...well i think i do lol. I currently take it out and just clean it in tap water. Dry it well and put it back in. Only reason i have left it in there is for mechanical filtration, but mostly because of micro bubble reduction.

SeanySean · 08/14/2006, 03:09 AM

I don't get why people are cleaning in tap water, or RO for that matter, I clean mine in old tank water just to remove the dirt, is this wrong? I did not think it would be a good idea to kill all the bacteria?

08/11/2006, 02:24 AM	#1
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	Sponges....good or bad?? I have an oceanic sump and in between the sections in it, there is a black sponge for filtering and reducing the micro bubbles. Are these sponges good or bad? Do they become nitrate factories like bio balls or are they ok? I take it out and clean it occasionally....when i notice the water levels in the sump become uneven between the entry side and exit side. When i do clean it, tons of brown crud does come out of it. Would it be better to remove it and use a filter sock on my entry drains and clean it frequently or just leave this sponge and let it do its job? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

08/11/2006, 04:19 AM	#3
SeanySean Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 885	I use sponges withought any nitrate issues, they just need to be cleaned out every week __________________ _______________ You paid how much for moldy rock!!!! Current Tank Info: 130G http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042110

08/14/2006, 03:09 AM	#10
SeanySean Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 885	I don't get why people are cleaning in tap water, or RO for that matter, I clean mine in old tank water just to remove the dirt, is this wrong? I did not think it would be a good idea to kill all the bacteria? __________________ _______________ You paid how much for moldy rock!!!! Current Tank Info: 130G http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042110

08/11/2006, 03:37 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Sponges arent bad, but they will like you said turn into nitrate factories if not cleaned. I would clean it out once a week, you will be fine. A filter sock will also work but will have to be cleaned out wekkly or more depending

08/12/2006, 11:26 PM	#4
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	Anyone else have any thoughts? Do they need to be cleaned weekly or more? Also, do you clean them in old tank water to keep the bacteria or do you clean them in the sink, etc.

08/12/2006, 11:58 PM	#5
yoboyjdizz Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,137	i would clean them often and in ro/di water...

08/13/2006, 01:21 AM	#7
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	So what do people use as mechanical filtration? Is a skimmer alone enough to do the job? Seems like i always have crud in a thin layer in the bottom of my sump. Is there a way to get rid of this other than a filter sock? Seems like it would be the same as having a sponge using the sock. Thoughts please.

08/13/2006, 07:51 AM	#8
masterqaz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oakville Ont. Canada Posts: 551	question.... why would you care about using tap water on it. You guys are talking about it killing the bacteria. Well wouldn't that be the point, since you dont want it to start the nitrogen cycle and produce nitrates.....

08/13/2006, 01:00 PM	#9
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	I agree...well i think i do lol. I currently take it out and just clean it in tap water. Dry it well and put it back in. Only reason i have left it in there is for mechanical filtration, but mostly because of micro bubble reduction.