Accumulation on return pump

[pledosophy]

My return pump (Simplicity) seems to accumulate a pretty good amount of debris on my current system. This is not really something I have experienced before.

I am hesitant to put a sponge or filter floss in the baffle inbetween the refugium and return pump chamber as my tank is new and still low on pods in the display (fuge is full).


Anyone have any good tricks to keep this from happening or easier ways to clean then a shop vac?

I think most of the junk collecting is broken pieces of chaeto, and some sponge that seems to love it there.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Ron Reefman]

Any ideas as to why the cheato is breaking up and flowing to the pump?

I have some similar issues with other macro algae, but cheato seems to stick together really well. I rarely see any break off.

I have installed an egg crate wall about an inch away from the weir inside the fuge. I catches most of the other kinds of loose algae from my fuge.

 

[pledosophy]

Any ideas as to why the cheato is breaking up and flowing to the pump?

I have some similar issues with other macro algae, but cheato seems to stick together really well. I rarely see any break off.

I have installed an egg crate wall about an inch away from the weir inside the fuge. I catches most of the other kinds of loose algae from my fuge.

Ron!!! I haven't seen you around in years. I used to see you on RC all the time back in the day.
My system has pretty low nutrients, so if I do not keep the chaeto very trimmed it dies off, causing it to break apart.

 

[Bryknicks]

Do you perform regular water changes or dose trace elements? I've noticed that if my iron and other trace elements get low that happens with my chaeto. I also run a low nutrient system. I now have to supplement with red sea trace colors because I don't do routine water changes.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Ron!!! I haven't seen you around in years. I used to see you on RC all the time back in the day.
My system has pretty low nutrients, so if I do not keep the chaeto very trimmed it dies off, causing it to break apart.

Been active here for a few years. Ever since Reef Breeders dropped their sponsor forum at RC. Been here long enough to get roped into being on the Reef Squad.