Filtration issues

[Caveden]

Yes, there are several ways you can modify your sump tank to improve its ability to collect debris:

Mechanical Media: You could consider adding more mechanical filtration media to your sump. This could be in the form of sponge pads, filter floss, or even ceramic rings. These materials can help trap smaller particles that the cotton wool might miss.

Filter Socks: Filter socks are another option. They are made from a fine mesh material that can catch small particles. You can place these over the drains in your sump to catch debris as the water flows in.

Protein Skimmer: A protein skimmer can also help remove waste from the water. It works by creating tiny bubbles that attract waste particles. The waste then rises to the top of the skimmer and is collected in a cup for easy removal.

Refugium: A refugium is a separate section in your sump where you can grow plants or algae. These plants can help absorb excess nutrients in the water, which can reduce the amount of waste.

The filter sock idea seems good, I’ll try to find one and place it underneath the tubing where the water flows out!

Could you keep the system exactly as it is, but cut your floss in larger pieces, so that the floss curls up the sides of the floss chambers? Then there would be less lateral run off onto the next piece, and into the first media chamber. You might have to replace the top piece of floss more often.

I do change my cotton wool often, so there isn’t any lateral run sideways, just downwards into the next cotton wool. I wouldn’t think that would be much of an issue

 

[Caveden]

Last question, which porrett foam should I get, found one on my local website. There’s small pores, medium or large pores. Not sure which one to get, as I have not much knowledge on which is more beneficial. Smaller pores seem better to me because it can capture more of the debris, but would the pores be too small, such that the rate the water passes through is unable to infiltrate into the foam fast enough that it overflows?

 

[tlindsey]

You could also

Last question, which porrett foam should I get, found one on my local website. There’s small pores, medium or large pores. Not sure which one to get, as I have not much knowledge on which is more beneficial. Smaller pores seem better to me because it can capture more of the debris, but would the pores be too small, such that the rate the water passes through is unable to infiltrate into the foam fast enough that it overflows?

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If it was me I would call Swiss Tropicals and describe to them the flow of the water entering your sump. They will probably know exactly which pores size to get.

 

[wednesday13]

The filter sock idea seems good, I’ll try to find one and place it underneath the tubing where the water flows out!

I do change my cotton wool often, so there isn’t any lateral run sideways, just downwards into the next cotton wool. I wouldn’t think that would be much of an issue

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Based on this pic id make a drip tray to spread out the water and there for filter it more through that section. Easy to make one out an old tupperware/rubbermaid lid with holes drilled into it… personally i quit using any foams or fibers yrs ago. They work fine but i got tired of cleaning. Id recommend a 200micron filter sock 7”x32” or at the least a 7”x16” size. I run both around the house and they can last up to a year with minimal flow per sock. The longer 32” size may fold up in ur space but thats fine. It will take much longer to clog than the 16” length.

 

[Caveden]

Based on this pic id make a drip tray to spread out the water and there for filter it more through that section. Easy to make one out an old tupperware/rubbermaid lid with holes drilled into it… personally i quit using any foams or fibers yrs ago. They work fine but i got tired of cleaning. Id recommend a 200micron filter sock 7”x32” or at the least a 7”x16” size. I run both around the house and they can last up to a year with minimal flow per sock. The longer 32” size may fold up in ur space but thats fine. It will take much longer to clog than the 16” length.

200 micron, would this work? I’m not entirely sure how filter socks function, I thought it was just tying it the the tube where the water flows out.

You could also

If it was me I would call Swiss Tropicals and describe to them the flow of the water entering your sump. They will probably know exactly which pores size to get.

Don’t think they’ll answer me, i checked their website and they mentioned they don’t take calls regularly and this brand is US based, I live in Singapore.
Do you think medium pores would be better, if I were to purchase the foam I posted above?

Just for extra info, Started this thread because I would be enlisting into the army de Jan 2nd 2024, and wouldn’t be able to take care of the tank as much such as changing the filter wool often, so I’m trying to improve filtration currently

 

[dmyersWv]

I have used these and they were good. I cleaned 1 per week.

 

[Caveden]

I have used these and they were good. I cleaned 1 per week.

Do I just tie it to the piping where the water flows out? How did you tie it if so?

 

[duanes]

I use zip ties to hold them in place.
And usually had 3 socks per fluent, one working, one cleaned and dry at the ready, and one soaking in bleach.
With my messy cichlids they were switched out every couple days.

 

[Caveden]

Last question, which porrett foam should I get, found one on my local website. There’s small pores, medium or large pores. Not sure which one to get, as I have not much knowledge on which is more beneficial. Smaller pores seem better to me because it can capture more of the debris, but would the pores be too small, such that the rate the water passes through is unable to infiltrate into the foam fast enough that it overflows?

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Thanks for the input everyone. The sock would definitely improve my filtration issues, I would say half the battle is won. Now the other half would be to figure out whether I should get small, medium or large pores. I guess I could trial and error by buying all 3 types, although it would put a strain on my budget

 

[duanes]

3 types would seem be the best way to go to me.
You could experiment which configuration would work best in your system, whether large pore was best on top to filter out the large particles but rinsed out most often,

or just the opposite.
Because I have a lot of plants, all I needed do, was scoop off some detritus every other day when I used this type sump.

It allowed only smaller debris to pass thru, which took longer to buildup enough to need be rinsed.
With 3 pore sizes the tiniest pore matt may hardly ever need to be rinsed, and become basically a bio media receptacle.
Once I started using porrett, I gave up filter socks, because they seemed redundant.