can polishing filter be run in 12hr cycles?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
1

180gallons

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 21, 2005
63
4
8
59
Georgia
I set up a ocean cear filter to polish my water and hooked a mag 12 pump to it. I ran out of plugs in my power strip so for temporary use I plugged it into the power strip with my lights which runs off of a timer. Would there be any problems if I leave the filter hooked up like this, running in 12hr cycles?:confused:
 
The bio that colonizes the filter may die, thus spewing loads of dead shat into the tank when the lights come on.
I'd say run it 24/7 or not at all. Unless you clean it every 12 hours that is.
 
Isn't a Polishing filter simply a mech filter? not intended for constant use but only for taking particulates from the water... your dealing with a filter that is between 100 to 50 microns. Which needs high pressure pumps to work.

Perhaps my thinking is wrong on that but thats my understanding of it.
 
basslover34;1332396; said:
Isn't a Polishing filter simply a mech filter? not intended for constant use but only for taking particulates from the water... your dealing with a filter that is between 100 to 50 microns. Which needs high pressure pumps to work.

Perhaps my thinking is wrong on that but thats my understanding of it.
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I would agree on some models, but take the Magnum for instance.
It comes with a 1 micron rated pleated filter and is designed to be run all the time. Though obviously needing more frequent cleaning, it is a 24/7 style filter.
 
I remember reading a posting about polishing filters before... I think it was one of the mods that said something about they have one and they only use it for an hour every week as it's not needed for more than that... Don't recall exactly though ... I'd like to know more about them though as I like the idea of removing the fine particals that the regular fitration doesn't get.
 
basslover34;1332446; said:
I remember reading a posting about polishing filters before... I think it was one of the mods that said something about they have one and they only use it for an hour every week as it's not needed for more than that... Don't recall exactly though ... I'd like to know more about them though as I like the idea of removing the fine particals that the regular fitration doesn't get.
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Most "polishing" filters are as you described. Powerful, noisy, and only intended to be run occasionally for, well..... polishing. i.e. Vortex and other brands.
There are some however,(oceanclear, magnums with micron filters, and others) that can be run all the time.
They just need more attention to cleaning when they run all the time.
I used to have 4 micron carts. for my Magnum when I had it, just to have a "hot ready" when it needed changed.
Cleaning is obviously directly related to load, but typically, they need cleaning 3-4 times as often as "regular" filters if not more, to keep them at peak.
 
I think my best bet will be to expand my power strip and let it run all the time. Thanks for all the great info.
 
basslover34;1332838; said:
Which is typically what? a couple cycles ...
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every tank is different. some you could run it all the time and still would look murky and other maybe a few hours a day.............just like UV :) depends on its wattage and flow
 
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