Filter Sock Flow Rate

[Jonathan Ng]

Hi All,

I have been troubleshooting (trying to quiet down) my new system for about 4-5 weeks now.

First of all I have a system really similar to red sea's reefer.

80G tank + sump.

Sump above is not my tank BUT it's fairly similar. The only difference I would say is the return pipes, they are only about 1/2" - 1" below surfaces.

So the issue I have is maintaining the water level, the two configuration I can achieve at the moment is:
1. Gate valve on full open, flow is great, no level change, noisy return pipe + sump
2. Controlled valve, flow is restricted, level change varies, zero noise, full siphon

I am trying really really hard to get scenario 2 to work
- Tried durso and stockman stand pipe (no luck)
- Tried different pump (borrowed a $1000 Royal Xclusive pump) (no luck)
- Tried turning off ATO system off (no luck)
- Drain the whole sump and tank for clean up (no luck)
- Open the gate valve for cleaning (no luck)
- Turn off all wavemaker (no luck)

What I find is:
- When the return chamber (sump) dries up, the overflow box floods [Water too sump not quick enough ?]
- I can usually run the water level stable for about 1-2 days until the return chamber goes dry and overflow blood floods
- Lately it will only last about half a day

Out of all these, I believe I know what the issue is.

I believe when the sock filter gets dirty, there is less flow going into the return chamber.

Hence return chamber gets dry up.

I am currently at a point of giving up, to be honest, I am can't just ditch the socks and fix this.

Sorry for the long post but do you guys have any experience similar to this?

Regards,
Jono

 

[1WildBill]

My socks get dirty slowly, but when they do, my sock chamber will almost flood the cabinet. I just took the socks out. Only use them when I do a water change for about 4 hours.

 

[Jonathan Ng]

My socks get dirty slowly, but when they do, my sock chamber will almost flood the cabinet. I just took the socks out. Only use them when I do a water change for about 4 hours.

Thanks Bill. Dumb question, does that mean your sump has no filter? At the moment those 2 socks are my only filtration.

 

[1WildBill]

I have the mesh filters in place one in the return pump chamber and one in the skimmer chamber.

 

[Waters]

I would suggest either switching to mesh filters or just changing them more often. I have 4-5 that I just continuously swap out as needed.