Need help on sump filtration

[duanes]

anarekist brought up a good point, is your tank cycled? because you said its been set up just 6 weeks? If only 6 weeks, could be a bacterial bloom that has to run its course, in the cycle.
Also, did you rinse your carbon? If not, it can turn your water gray.
Bio balls, lava rock , scrubbies etc, all serve the same purpose, biological filtration, but they do not clear the water.
Your filter sock clears water, but if its a bacterial bloom, it can't capture that small micron range, you just have to let it run its course, and keep up the water changes.

 

[thepotz]

I would turn your pump back up to max, stop the water changes, and let the the filter do it's job. I think frequent water changes may be part of the prob in this case. The only reason I ever do a water change is to vacuum the gravel if it gets gross looking, and yes, I know that everyone on this site seems to do water changes on a weekly basis... just not my thing.. I see it as an ocd thing on MFK.

 

[isellcars]

It seems it was a bacteria boom. I did a big water change and bought new carbon. The previous carbon and bio balls were from my canister filter. I did rinse the carbon very well this time to make sure. I have also stopped using filter floss altogether. Just the sock and a sponge block.
The bio balls are mainly being used to hold the hogwart in place do it's not spinning out of control in the sump. I have bought some lava rocks that are soaking right now to make sure no chemicals or minerals are present. They will then go into the refugium part of the sump with ceramic rings, carbon bag, purigen and hogwart floating at the top. From there back to return pump.
Starting to realize less is more. The way things are set up now all I should have to do is change filter sock every other day, and carbon once a month.
Since I stopped with filter floss my water actually seems cleaner.
Not sure if anybody else has tried but I live in an area with very hard water. So I went and bought a small whole house water filter for about $30 and connected it to my water hose. It claims to remove chlorine, calcium and other chemicals and sediment. I just set it up yesterday and did a 30% water change and do far all seems well.


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