should I use filter sponges?

[bbauer]

I have a proclear 125 wet dry filter that has an overflow box on my 110 tall FOWLR. I have been reading several threads about lowering my nitrates and I have come across a few threads that have said that the filter sponges could be contributing to the nitrate level. Could this be the case in my tank? There is a filter sponge in the overflow box that all the water runs through, in the sump there is a filter pad that the water overflows onto and then finally there is one last filter block that the water has to go through before being returned to the tank. I have about 125lbs of live rock stacked in my tank as well. These filters usually get cleaned out every couple of weeks when i do a water change and they seem to catch some pretty nasty stuff, especially the one in the overflow box and the filter pad in the sump.

 

[harsh12ka4]

sponges do trap the organic waste so yes they do seem to raise the nitrate level. if you remove the sponge they will significantly reduce the nitrates and also algae growth which will make your tank look clean.

 

[billdogg]

as long as you are willing to clean them often (like every couple days) filter sponges are fine. it's when they sit there for any lenght of time that problems begin

 

[bbauer]

If I remove the sponges and and it doesnt catch the nastiness wont the water quality go down, or will my tank LR take care of that?

 

[Jakesaw]

Interesting topic - I'm getting closer to starting up my first saltwater tank - and planning the details of Quarantine Tank.

The source I'm using recommends using a sponge filter for bio activity - and setting up the QT when you need it - and bringing over a well seasoned sponge filter from your display tank to the QT. It was recommended that you keep this in your sump/fuge - or display tank if you don't have a sump/fuge.

If the sponge filter causes problems - is there any alternative that does the same job as effectively as a sponge filter.

Thanks

 

[Michael]

as mentioned above, clean them every day or 2 in tap water and this will stop it clogging up and becomming a bacterial colony and it should be fine

 

[Sk8r]

or just have over 1lb live rock and 1 lb sand per gallon and a fish load that doesn't exceed that filtering capacity and run without any of that work and fuss. I use no sponges, no filter sock, nada. If I get noticeable particulate in the water I add the equivalent of a filter sock for 24 hours, then remove it. If you have a fuge, it's best to have no filtration, because every hour your run it, you're sacrificing pods and other things that get stopped. Since copepods also live on no-see-um stuff, notably phyto, you're giving up a tank-cleaner when you lower the pod count.