Fish Keeper82
New member
Since my 170 gallon tank sprung a leak I'm switching to a 125 and might be redesigning my sump. I did not use a filter sock before and wondering weather to use one this go around.. what do you think?
If no filter socks, don't expect water clarity. Expect a lot of detritus that settle down all over your sump floor that can cause high nitrates/phosphates. Your choice.Since my 170 gallon tank sprung a leak I'm switching to a 125 and might be redesigning my sump. I did not use a filter sock before and wondering weather to use one this go around.. what do you think?
If no filter socks, don't expect water clarity. Expect a lot of detritus all over your sump floor that can cause high nitrates/phosphates. Your choice.
If no filter socks, don't expect water clarity. Expect a lot of detritus that settle down all over your sump floor that can cause high nitrates/phosphates. Your choice.
If it is settling in the bottom of the sump, then how is it in the water column affecting clarity? If it is floating around the aquarium before reaching the sump, then how is a sock getting it before it reaches the sump? This makes no sense.
FWIW I have collected this so called nutrient laden mass from my sump, allowed it to completely settle and measured the nitrates and phosphates, it is exactly the same as the rest of the tank water. I have done this numerous times now, at all different times and moon cycles, it is always the same.
CPR pre filter holder ...anyone use these?
If no filter socks, don't expect water clarity. Expect a lot of detritus that settle down all over your sump floor that can cause high nitrates/phosphates. Your choice.
I read that many people who use socks say they (socks) help a lot. Socks or pads or filter floss, etc as a mechanical filtration are to trap detritus that is mostly made up of uneaten food and fish waste (poop) which cause high ammonia/nitrite. Biological filtration is there to convert those chemicals. Once it converts to nitrate, it can build up without water changes or other methods that reduce nitrate. As for phosphate, it comes from detritus, doesn't it?That simple not true.
I'd suggest you do a little more reading before you make such ridiculous posts.
If it is settling in the bottom of the sump, then how is it in the water column affecting clarity? If it is floating around the aquarium before reaching the sump, then how is a sock getting it before it reaches the sump? This makes no sense.
FWIW I have collected this so called nutrient laden mass from my sump, allowed it to completely settle and measured the nitrates and phosphates, it is exactly the same as the rest of the tank water. I have done this numerous times now, at all different times and moon cycles, it is always the same.
Did your tank have algae bloom while it had 40 PPM nitrate?Agreed.....I had my 170 gallon running for 7 years with no sock and I did not even siphon the detitrus. When my tank sprung a leak the sand was filthy when i was removing it from the tank,and there was alot of detitrus on bottom of my sump when i was cleaning it out , but IN 7 YEARS MY NITRATES NEVER GOT OVER 40 PPM with minimal water changes and I mean minimal since it was FOWLR. Water was super clear too.
Only reason I'm thinking about sock is to keep the unsightly mess out of sump/ sand. Nitrates are not an issue IMO. I know alot of people would argue this but i seen proof 7 years.
How did you test organic matter for something that it may produce days, weeks or months down the road as bacteria break it down and why would you expect nitrates to climb in a test vial on the order of seconds??
You will go through periods where sediment is suspended, whether from your activities or natural. Socks help remove that from the water column. My fish are constantly stirring sand or rock fines up.
That's the reason why we have biopellets and GFO or algae scrubbers (to reduce those chemicals).
Again, I suggest you keep reading. You're drawing a lot of incorrect conclusions. Many successful tanks run not only without filter socks but without biopellets, GFO and certainly ATS.
Here's a self contained frag tank (25 gal actual volume), no sump, no mechanical filter of any kind, no carbon or GFO, just a HOB skimmer. Small water changes weekly (10%) and frags are growing very fast. High bioload from fish contributing to color and growth of corals because I'm not filtering detritus. Water is very clear.
There are SPS, LPS, an RBTA, softies and Palys. Kessil LEDs provide a 10 hours photoperiod.
Well, first of all, it looks beautiful. How old is it? Since you are not filtering detritus, how do you prevent algae bloom?Again, I suggest you keep reading. You're drawing a lot of incorrect conclusions. Many successful tanks run not only without filter socks but without biopellets, GFO and certainly ATS.
Here's a self contained frag tank (25 gal actual volume), no sump, no mechanical filter of any kind, no carbon or GFO, just a HOB skimmer. Small water changes weekly (10%) and frags are growing very fast. High bioload from fish contributing to color and growth of corals because I'm not filtering detritus. Water is very clear.
There are SPS, LPS, an RBTA, softies and Palys. Kessil LEDs provide a 10 hours photoperiod.
Did your tank have algae bloom while it had 40 PPM nitrate?[/
Long post warning:
No lighting was not strong enough to help algae. Thats why i didnt do too many water changes( parameters were fine for FOWLR)
And that's my whole point 40 ppm nitrates in 7 years ....and I know this is going to sound extream but I did about 30 percent water change once a year. Don't beat me up for it..... params were fine I have a blue tang and green chromis that are 7 years old.
I had about 300 lbs of live rock and a 4"deep sand bed. And the whole reason deep sand beds turn nitrates into nitrogen is because you don't stir it up. No oxygen zones in the sand because detritus clogging up is part of the reason. No one does a 30percent monthly water change in the ocean right? no monster water sock in the ocean?
I'm thinking about getting a sock is because it is unsightly in the sump. Even if you use a sock there no way you are getting all the detritus out of the sand without a constant sand storm.
thanks for all the replies I can still see the debate is as same as it was when I started in the hobby. I think ill stick to what was successful for me and no sock