Sponges on skimmer outflow

[Inflames]

I've seen some skimmers with sponges on the outflow to help with micros but does this have the potential to increase nitrates as well?

 

[jdieck]

They will be OK if you rinse them once a week and prevent detritus accumulation.
By the way as the sponge gradually plugs the skimmer settings may change.

 

[J. Montgomery]

The preskimmer box that goes with my AquaC Remora Pro contains a sponge. Its a real pain in the b*tt since it quickly gets covered in junk (bacteria, algae, and detritus) and prevents water from flowing through it. I pulled it out and don't use it anymore.

 

[Reef Sponger]

I've been using sponges in my external overflow boxes for over 10 years. Every week, I just pulled them out and rinse them before they ever get clogged. As long as you rinse them weekly, the detritus won't really have a chance to buildup or cause nitrate problems.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9644483#post9644483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J. Montgomery
The preskimmer box that goes with my AquaC Remora Pro contains a sponge. Its a real pain in the b*tt since it quickly gets covered in junk (bacteria, algae, and detritus) and prevents water from flowing through it. I pulled it out and don't use it anymore.

If your overflow gets direct light from the lamps that will create algae a lot faster, cover the overflow (I use black acrylic) and no algae will grow at all.