Sump micron filter bag

[em805]

I have a 60g reef tank that has been up for about 1.5 years and has been doing great. However, I am concerned about the micron filter bag in my sump. It seems to be very full (looks like a balloon) and there seems to be water running over the outside of the bag vs through it. Other than less efficient filtration what are the implications--if any of this. Someone suggested cleaning it... I am hesitant to do that since I know alot of my biological filtration resides in that bag (right?). I heard of a few instances when people changed the bag or cleaned it their system crashed, is this possible? Recomendations or advice please.

 

[djtodd]

Re: Sump micron filter bag

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385350#post7385350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by em805
I have a 60g reef tank that has been up for about 1.5 years and has been doing great. However, I am concerned about the micron filter bag in my sump. It seems to be very full (looks like a balloon) and there seems to be water running over the outside of the bag vs through it. Other than less efficient filtration what are the implications--if any of this. Someone suggested cleaning it... I am hesitant to do that since I know alot of my biological filtration resides in that bag (right?). I heard of a few instances when people changed the bag or cleaned it their system crashed, is this possible? Recomendations or advice please.

You should be cleaning that guy out on a weekly basis. The build up of detritus will only cause your nitrates to increase.

 

[em805]

Sump micron filter bag looks like a balloon

Sump micron filter bag looks like a balloon

Are you sure about that? The guy from the pet store that was doing my maintenance for the first 8 months was pretty attimate about not cleaning the bag... Can anyone else support cleaning the micron filter bag regulary?

 

[TCU Reefer]

I change mine out every 7 days. The goal of the filter bags is to remove detritus and other gunk out of the water column before it has a chance to break down to nitrates and phosphates.

If you're leaving the bag on there for 8 months, you're defeating the whole purpose of the bags.

 

[em805]

Sump micron bag

Sump micron bag

It's not that I doubt anyones advice on this forum, I know most hobbyists are very helpful and honest, I'm just in the habit of getting second opinions. Thanks for your advice . Don't know why my tank is doing so well then... I guess I've just been lucky that my system hasn't crashed. I'll change out the bag today!

 

[scarter]

change mine daily if im overfeeding or if I have areason to thing the water might be out of wack. and you dont have to "change them out", just wash them. I do mine by hand but some people put em in the washer

 

[smleee]

Replace weekly here.

eee

 

[scott058]

I have a few of them so I can swap them out once a week or so

 

[DaveG99]

What size should I get and where should I get them from. I need to get some for my 125 gallon.

 

[Spuds725]

I use these-- 100 micron 4" diameter x 14" long

http://www.filterbag.com/items/PONG100P4P.html

swap out every 3 days and wash them all (10) when I run out about every 3 weeks-- throw them in the washer with hot water, NO detergent, little bit of bleach, and an extra rinse... come out looking brand new.

There is a 25 bag minimum order on these now, so you might want to split an order with someone else, or buy 25 and sell extras on Ebay or something...

 

[DaveG99]

Is there a place where I could buy just a few of them? Jeez 25?

 

[spoon671]

Hey there. I know how everyone likes pics... so here's a few. I am also including a link to my LFS. I have spoken recently with Dr. Le and he said he would be willing to ship these out to some of you guys.

Aquatic Gallery

and

 

[cweder]

I buy them from Marine Depot or Custom Aquatic. You can get them in 25, 50 or 100 micron. You kept yours on for 8 months is amazing. What are your nitrates? The only purpose I see this doing is cutting back the micro bubbles. I am not sure you want to filter out all the particulate matter for certain corals and fish. I am depending on my protein skimmer for filtration since I dont have a microbubble problem, but it is impressive how quickly these bags can turn brown. Im not sure they are just pulling out stuff my skimmer would get eventually anyway. I would like to know if they help the skimmer or hinder it? There is no question they work when changed routinely.

 

[Fast Fred]

If you have enough live rock, then the bags are not an essential part of you bio-filtration. You shouldn't be leaving the bags in there for a long enough period that they become bio-active. changing them every week or two will prevent this.

 

[spoon671]

Micron bags pull out particulate matter, like fish poop and other debris floating around the tank. This can make a tank look like crap literally. Skimmers do the job of pulling out organics that are already dissolved, if I am not mistaken.

 

[RobTheReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7388142#post7388142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spoon671
Micron bags pull out particulate matter, like fish poop and other debris floating around the tank. This can make a tank look like crap literally. Skimmers do the job of pulling out organics that are already dissolved, if I am not mistaken.

You might be. Mistaken, that is. Mine pulls out small chunks of fish poo and even charcoal/phosban dust, if I don't rinse them thorough enough.

 

[spoon671]

I must be mistaken, and I don't doubt it. My girlfriend always says I am mistaken, it must be true! Haha. My opinion is that a Diatom Bag/Micron Pad will pull out the most floating debris of any other filtration method, leaving your water crystal clear.