Return keeps getting blocked by chaeto

[m0nkie]

I have random chaeto that makes it through the pump into the return. Then crap would build up and block the flow. I caught on this problem when I found my filter sock clean after weeks. Switched to a bigger pump (Fluval SP6), which helps, but now it looks partially blocked again.

The intake splits into 3 tubes, then 3 outlets (built by Cadslight), so I can't change it.. I think the best option is to filter the pump intake some sponge? or should I block the refugium portion of the sump with some sponge?

Anyone else put sponge on their pump intake? or any other ideas?

thanks

 

[BeanMachine]

I have random chaeto that makes it through the pump into the return. Then crap would build up and block the flow. I caught on this problem when I found my filter sock clean after weeks. Switched to a bigger pump (Fluval SP6), which helps, but now it looks partially blocked again.

The intake splits into 3 tubes, then 3 outlets (built by Cadslight), so I can't change it.. I think the best option is to filter the pump intake some sponge?

Anyone else put sponge on their pump intake? or any other ideas?

thanks

Someone posted online that they used a clear hamster ball for their chaeto... thought that was a pretty cool idea if you have the room.

 

[m0nkie]

interesting... I guess that's an idea. I can stick an acclimation box in there for chaeto

 

[ChefZilla]

You can put a box made of egg crate around the pump to hopefully catch the cheato

 

[keepLearning]

You want a lot of water through them otherwise, what is the point of putting chaeto in at the first place?

interesting... I guess that's an idea. I can stick an acclimation box in there for chaeto

 

[m0nkie]

You can put a box made of egg crate around the pump to hopefully catch the cheato

thanks. I'll give that a try tonight, put a few layers of them, see if they catch anything.

You want a lot of water through them otherwise, what is the point of putting chaeto in at the first place?

I've always used them for pod population. Never trim the chaeto. Trying to feed my pair of scooter blennies. I don't think flow in the sump was that high.

 

[bozoreefer]

I have the same problem. I think I'm going to shove some sponge in between the baffles that separate the 2 sections.

 

[OC CJ]

I had this problem in my tank at work. I ended up using a piece of snap in gutter guard from lowes and cut it to fit on onto the last baffle. Worked great.

Though, nothing worked better than removing my fuge from the tank at home. And it's never run better!

 

[m0nkie]

I had this problem in my tank at work. I ended up using a piece of snap in gutter guard from lowes and cut it to fit on onto the last baffle. Worked great.

Though, nothing worked better than removing my fuge from the tank at home. And it's never run better!

I took out the fuge in my new tank setup.. made an external fuge and connected the sumps.

too late for this build.. I may have some plastic gutter guards too. thanks!

 

[billyzbear]

On my old tank I had this problem. I could fit a 1" pvc on my inlet to pump. I cut out a length of 1" pvc in a form of an " I ". Put window screen around it and put a cap at one end and there was a slip on the other end. Muscle together. It worked great.

 

[bboyvital]

if you are going to put a sponge in the baffle make sure to clean it often. A series of unfortunate events starting with a sponge that was clogged up caused me to wake up to a soaked living room floor.

 

[m0nkie]

On my old tank I had this problem. I could fit a 1" pvc on my inlet to pump. I cut out a length of 1" pvc in a form of an " I ". Put window screen around it and put a cap at one end and there was a slip on the other end. Muscle together. It worked great.

thanks! my Fluval pump has an intake outlet too. So I can easily stick a sponge around it.

if you are going to put a sponge in the baffle make sure to clean it often. A series of unfortunate events starting with a sponge that was clogged up caused me to wake up to a soaked living room floor.

hmm.. what was the exact reason? maybe I can avoid this in design.. if the clogged sponge is in the baffle, wouldn't water just flow over the baffles? as long as the return pump works.. how did water overflow?

 

[Coelli]

M0nkie, not sure what your system looks like so this may not work but I use plastic canvas along the edge of the baffle from the fuge to keep chaeto out of the return section. Works great and never clogs.

 

[m0nkie]

thanks! I'll check out Michaels for these plastic canvas. Never used them in life..

looks like my best bet is use these plastic canvas or gutter guards to block out the fuge.. I'll cut some foam around the pump intake too, just to see what it catches..

if things still get by, I'm going to put the chaeto into a container or switch macro algae!

 

[BeanMachine]

M0nkie, not sure what your system looks like so this may not work but I use plastic canvas along the edge of the baffle from the fuge to keep chaeto out of the return section. Works great and never clogs.

I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier, but I do the same except I glued egg crate to the top of the baffle to accomplish the same thing. I'm not using chaeto though... I've got dragon's tongue and for the most part if it breaks loose the eggcrate catches it so I can remove it.

 

[diver22]

Hi, I made two screens out of Egg Crate, I used fiberglass home screen, and cut two pieces of egg crates ad put the screen with TieWraps. I cut is to be snug in sump ...

So from my Refu to where Skimmer compartment I put one and from the skimmer compartment to my return pump I put another one, just to catch if anything was missed.

 

[pga7602]

Hi, I made two screens out of Egg Crate, I used fiberglass home screen, and cut two pieces of egg crates ad put the screen with TieWraps. I cut is to be snug in sump ...

So from my Refu to where Skimmer compartment I put one and from the skimmer compartment to my return pump I put another one, just to catch if anything was missed.

2 years later, I hope Monkie found a fix. If not, I have some ideas

 

[m0nkie]

2 years later, I hope Monkie found a fix. If not, I have some ideas

I upgraded that tank and sump already haha.

but the permanent fix was growing cleaner chaeto. I got healthier chaeto from someone and tossed out my old ones. The new ones grew in cluster and rarely broke off. I noticed dirty chaeto in sump tends to die off and break off