Best filter for mechanical filtration?

[JL]

If you have a sump you do not need any other piece of equipment. Sump filtration is the best there is. It is just up to you to install the correct media to do the job you want done.

What media are you using for your mechanical filtration?

If your using a filter sock then get a smaller micron size.

If you have a mechanical pad of some sort then try to add some poly fill batting and pack it in that comapartment some what.

You can use cheap poly fill to catch what ever size particle you want. You just have to compact it more for smaller particles.

Some pics of your sump will help plan what you need to add/change.

+1 add some walmart batting and stack layers as needed.

 

[Miguel4u2]

If you have a sump you do not need any other piece of equipment. Sump filtration is the best there is. It is just up to you to install the correct media to do the job you want done.

What media are you using for your mechanical filtration?

If your using a filter sock then get a smaller micron size.

If you have a mechanical pad of some sort then try to add some poly fill batting and pack it in that comapartment some what.

You can use cheap poly fill to catch what ever size particle you want. You just have to compact it more for smaller particles.

Some pics of your sump will help plan what you need to add/change.

I am using a sump but with a overflow box so it does not capture everything that floats in the middle and lower parts. I am using polyester filter fiber but i don't think it doing the job right.

I did order some 100 micron filter pad and it should be coming soon. Heres a old pic of them wet dry, the only difference is that now the bio ball chamber is full.

, could this problem have to do with a mini cycle i am having? I messed up my bb during a water change. BTW it is running at 1100 gph which is more than enough for a 55 gallon i think. What do you guys think about seachem stability? i might get it at my lfs. Does it actually work?

 

[Miguel4u2]

BUMP

 

[Nemesis]

Use a powerhead to push water toward the overflows intake. Aquaclear makes good ones, and you can attach the pre-filter to them too.

 

[Fishman0]

where is your intake/suction? if it is at the surface then it may need some "assistance" from an additional source such as a powerhead to stir things up to the top. I use an aquaclear 70 on my 75gal along with my sump. my fish are messy so the additional filtration helps catch the fine stuff.

 

[Err]

Mag 350/250HOT are the best particulate filters short of a diatom IMO, You can eve load them with DE so they can become diatom filters and polish your water like no other 100$ filter can, period. Best thing marineland ever built...and they are relatively cheap.

 

[Miguel4u2]

where is your intake/suction? if it is at the surface then it may need some "assistance" from an additional source such as a powerhead to stir things up to the top. I use an aquaclear 70 on my 75gal along with my sump. my fish are messy so the additional filtration helps catch the fine stuff.

Use a powerhead to push water toward the overflows intake. Aquaclear makes good ones, and you can attach the pre-filter to them too.

But the problem is that i have sand as a substrate. I think ill remove sand later on. I will just probably get another filter to help.

 

[bitteraspects]

you can use a PH with sand. you just have to adjust it so its not blowing the substrate around. the PH doesn't need to be pointed directly at the sand.

 

[Fishman0]

I have sand as my substrate and as long as i keep the suction at least 5-6" from it, i use PFS which settles very quickly. Never had any problems

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

(could this problem have to do with a mini cycle i am having?)

Yes with out a doubt.

since you are having a mini cycle your beneficial bacteria are releasing spores of bacteria at a constant rate. They are trying to reproduce and raise there poplation so that they can handle the bio load.

The particles and cloudiness you are seeing are a bacteria-bloom. The only cure for this is time. Once the bacteria are able to raise the population enough to support the tank's bio-load. Then the cloudy water will slowly disappear.

Until this has subsided it will be pretty impossible to get crystal clear water.

But after that has worked itself out. A power head may help keep debris suspended so that the surface skimming overflow can get them.

But in reality 1100gph through a 55g tank should do this on its own. If it were me i would wait on the power head until the tank has balanced out. Just watch your parameters and do water changes if you get ammonia or nitrite over .5ppm. So that the fish are not hurt.

just my .02