Filter socks, sponges/floss, bacteria...

[Potatohead]

Like a lot of reefers I am currently running filter socks. My sump (Eshopps RS-75) fills a drain chamber and then cascades water down into the sock with about a 6" drop until it meets the skimmer chamber water level. I have been stuffing a coarse sponge into the sock in order to silence the water trickle sound. My question is, when I change the sock/sponge (I rotate three of them) every 3 - 5 days or so, am I possibly creating small ammonia spikes every time I do this? I have 35 lbs of rock and three litres of Matrix in my sump (40 gallon system) so I wouldn't think it would have a big effect, but I am really grasping at straws because I can't seem to really pin down some problems I have been having.

I probably could figure out another way to silence it if I had to, but it wouldn't be as easy.

Thanks for any help

 

[Mishri]

not likely. what problems are you having? you could get an ammonia alert badge to see, but I'll bet it never moves from safe.

 

[JWClark]

No. If you start a thread about your issues you might get some ideas as to the culprit(s).

 

[Potatohead]

not likely. what problems are you having? you could get an ammonia alert badge to see, but I'll bet it never moves from safe.

That's what I figure too, it was just an idea that occured driving in from work this AM.

No. If you start a thread about your issues you might get some ideas as to the culprit(s).

I did about a month ago in the SPS forum, it has been very helpful overall. I have been trying to stay the course now about a month, I am seeing recovery in some corals, some are stagnant, some are seemingly getting worse but it's hard to know if that is from the previous issue or if something else could still be wrong too. All my water parameters and what not all seem fine.

 

[Mishri]

I read through your sps thread. Sounds like you are trying too hard to micro-manage it(or were).. keep things the same is ideal(water conditions/lighting), and it could very well be your LED's, other people with a lot of experience have had problems using LED lights with SPS and switched to MH or 6x T5 and had much better luck by just switching light fixtures and changing nothing else. As long as your water parameters are stable and in acceptable ranges, and you have proper lighting and nothing is poisoning them you should be good. -so.. my concern would be.. the LED light fixture isn't putting out the right light.

also, this might help you with your loud sump so you can get rid of the sponge.. (I don't care for that design)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhO_pdVnMEE

 

[Potatohead]

I read through your sps thread. Sounds like you are trying too hard to micro-manage it(or were).. keep things the same is ideal(water conditions/lighting), and it could very well be your LED's, other people with a lot of experience have had problems using LED lights with SPS and switched to MH or 6x T5 and had much better luck by just switching light fixtures and changing nothing else. As long as your water parameters are stable and in acceptable ranges, and you have proper lighting and nothing is poisoning them you should be good. -so.. my concern would be.. the LED light fixture isn't putting out the right light.

also, this might help you with your loud sump so you can get rid of the sponge.. (I don't care for that design)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhO_pdVnMEE

I think that's the previous design sump, mine already has the drain pipe below the water level in the drain chamber. The water draining down through the sock is the problem, it's not loud but not silent either.

I am probably micro-managing sure, that's fair. I know people try to help but you hear all sides.. LED are terrible, LED are fine, do more water changes, do less water changes, etc. I am just trying to find what works for me I guess.