Filtration on a Aquapod

BigPerm1 · 08/29/2006, 01:30 PM

So I was looking at my water flow and I just noticed something.

I have this slats on the grill, but there are plastic covers that are basically blocking the blue filter.

The "covers" are removeable by sliding them up and out, but I wonder why they are there in the first place. It looks like it can control water flow through the filter, but wouldln't I want as much water going through the filter as possible?

I've pulled a couple of slats out, but before I pull them all out I would appriciate some second opinions.

millstreetzoo · 08/29/2006, 02:10 PM

I would remove them all. The more flow through the filter the better.

BigPerm1 · 08/29/2006, 02:21 PM

Ok... I'm going to clean the filters while I'm messing with it...

With these mechanical filters, should I just rinse with hot tap water and, try to get all the water out and stick them back in?

Should I rinse with RO water before putting them into the tank?

millstreetzoo · 08/29/2006, 02:32 PM

I have 2 aquapods. I clean the sponge filters when I do a water change. I rinse them in the water I suction out. Just squeeze them until all the gunk is out of them. You could use RO water although I wouldn't use tap water.

theatrus · 08/29/2006, 02:53 PM

You can use tap if you let them dry out or give them a quick dip in RO. Just don't use soap or any cleaning agents besides vinegar.

BigPerm1 · 08/29/2006, 04:38 PM

Do you think the slats that are used to block the filter create sort of a "skimmer" effect?

If I put all the slats on, the level in the tank rises vs. the level where the sump is, so I can see it skimming at that point.

What's more adventageous? Skimming or more mechanical filtration?

bertoni · 08/29/2006, 04:58 PM

I vote for surface skimming to keep any possible surface film. I don't use mechanical filtration at all. Getting good flow and a rippling on the surface can help with films, too, though.

BigPerm1 · 08/29/2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
I vote for surface skimming to keep any possible surface film. I don't use mechanical filtration at all. Getting good flow and a rippling on the surface can help with films, too, though.

I'd actually like to do away with the mechanical as well... I have about 25 lbs of liverock in there, which I understand is my real filtration.

I'm trying to figure out a good way to bring the nitrates and phosphates down and this mechanical filter may be adding to it.

What do you think? How would one tell if it's safe to pull it out?

Oh.. and I want to get ride of the bio balls too. Good idea?

bertoni · 08/29/2006, 05:16 PM

I would get rid of the bio-balls, too.

What's in the tank currently?

If there are animals like fish, etc, present, I'd remove the mechanical filtration a bit at a time. Same with the bio-balls.

ALittleSalty · 08/29/2006, 05:55 PM

On my pod, I left only the top slots exposed to allow surface skimming. I am running the sponges, bio balls, and some bio rings. I am running around 40lbs of LR of a 3 inch crushed coral/sand bed, tanks been running since May of this year, and all my params check out fine. Tanks is currently stocked with 3 bumblebee snails, 3 certh snails, and 2 red legged hermit crabs.

08/29/2006, 01:30 PM	#1
BigPerm1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 99	Filtration on a Aquapod So I was looking at my water flow and I just noticed something. I have this slats on the grill, but there are plastic covers that are basically blocking the blue filter. The "covers" are removeable by sliding them up and out, but I wonder why they are there in the first place. It looks like it can control water flow through the filter, but wouldln't I want as much water going through the filter as possible? I've pulled a couple of slats out, but before I pull them all out I would appriciate some second opinions. Last edited by BigPerm1; 08/29/2006 at 02:11 PM.

08/29/2006, 02:53 PM	#5
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	You can use tap if you let them dry out or give them a quick dip in RO. Just don't use soap or any cleaning agents besides vinegar. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/29/2006, 04:58 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I vote for surface skimming to keep any possible surface film. I don't use mechanical filtration at all. Getting good flow and a rippling on the surface can help with films, too, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/29/2006, 05:16 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would get rid of the bio-balls, too. What's in the tank currently? If there are animals like fish, etc, present, I'd remove the mechanical filtration a bit at a time. Same with the bio-balls. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/29/2006, 02:10 PM	#2
millstreetzoo Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York State Posts: 74	I would remove them all. The more flow through the filter the better.

08/29/2006, 02:21 PM	#3
BigPerm1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 99	Ok... I'm going to clean the filters while I'm messing with it... With these mechanical filters, should I just rinse with hot tap water and, try to get all the water out and stick them back in? Should I rinse with RO water before putting them into the tank?

08/29/2006, 02:32 PM	#4
millstreetzoo Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York State Posts: 74	I have 2 aquapods. I clean the sponge filters when I do a water change. I rinse them in the water I suction out. Just squeeze them until all the gunk is out of them. You could use RO water although I wouldn't use tap water.

08/29/2006, 04:38 PM	#6
BigPerm1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 99	Do you think the slats that are used to block the filter create sort of a "skimmer" effect? If I put all the slats on, the level in the tank rises vs. the level where the sump is, so I can see it skimming at that point. What's more adventageous? Skimming or more mechanical filtration?

08/29/2006, 05:55 PM	#10
ALittleSalty Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 119	On my pod, I left only the top slots exposed to allow surface skimming. I am running the sponges, bio balls, and some bio rings. I am running around 40lbs of LR of a 3 inch crushed coral/sand bed, tanks been running since May of this year, and all my params check out fine. Tanks is currently stocked with 3 bumblebee snails, 3 certh snails, and 2 red legged hermit crabs.