How do you guys keep flow to return chamber constant?

[Adamantium]

Hi all, I'm having an issue with my FijiCube AIO insert in my 40B.

I use a pad of filter floss at the beginning of the filtration, and as it clogs, my return chamber volume lowers, triggering the ATO, and overfilling my tank.

I can't figure out how people that use filter socks deal with this. Do you just change them before they get dirty enough for this to happen? What happens if they go too long without a change? Is a regular sump just somehow different?

Thanks for any input!

 

[BlennyTime]

I change my filter socks every other day. How many microns is your filter floss? You may need to go up in size.

 

[Adamantium]

I change my filter socks every other day. How many microns is your filter floss? You may need to go up in size.

Oh, wow. No kidding. I just use the stuff that comes in a big roll. One side is pink, one side is white. I'm not sure what Micron size it really is. Pretty big, I imagine. One brand is "Pinky".

 

[Adamantium]

Anyone else have some insight on this? It’s causing real problems for me.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Filter socks last about 3 days on my
Tank before filling up. I got tired of changing them and stopped using them. If I’m doing something that will mix the tank up I will put socks off temporarily.

 

[GlassMunky]

I don’t use an ATO on my AIO because of this reason.
Its easier for me to keep a 5g jug next to the tank and periodically top it off as the splash gets louder.
usually a tiny bit each night before bed.

 

[Chlorinated]

I use basic batting used for comforters and such bought at the craft store. $15 gets you a ton! No idea what size it stops, but it gets pretty nasty every 2-3 days. That is when I pull and replace. Any longer and same happens to me. Just stay on top of your filtration and tou won't have any issues.

 

[dadnjesse]

I change mine every couple day's also, but if mine get clogged the water just goes over the baffle in my sump so it won't slow down either way. Sounds like a design problem with your sump.

 

[Chlorinated]

I change mine every couple day's also, but if mine get clogged the water just goes over the baffle in my sump so it won't slow down either way. Sounds like a design problem with your sump.

Its nit a design flaw, its just the way the baffle system works in AIOs

 

[Adamantium]

Its nit a design flaw, its just the way the baffle system works in AIOs

It sure feels like one given how quickly the water level starts to drop in the return chamber. Even if I replace the floss every 3 days, it starts to screw with my salinity and overfill my display.

It’s sounding like I don’t have that many options other than change filters like every day. That would be a pain...

 

[Chlorinated]

It sure feels like one given how quickly the water level starts to drop in the return chamber. Even if I replace the floss every 3 days, it starts to screw with my salinity and overfill my display.

It’s sounding like I don’t have that many options other than change filters like every day. That would be a pain...

I understand what you are saying, but unlike a traditional sump, there are limited options for a limited space. The other option is to not run floss/sock at all. Dirtier maybe, but some believe it to be super beneficial to the corals. Have to do what works best for you.

 

[JohnnyBeagle]

in my Waterbox Cube 20 I replaced the socks with filter floss using the intank floss holder. I replace the filter floss once a week or so and it stays relatively level with the tunze nano ATO in the third chamber to handle evaporation loss

 

[JBKReef]

On larger tanks its not that big of an issue, but in my smaller AIO (14 and 25 Nuvo) I had to give up on using floss for this exact reason.

While I'm good with monitoring the tanks, it was taking roughly 24 hours for my floss to clog, drive increased ATO, raising waterline.

I'm not familiar with the Fiji cube specifically, but yes, this is an issue lots of people have. Finding the balance of micron size, maintenance goal, and filtration needed is a tightrope.

 

[Adamantium]

On larger tanks its not that big of an issue, but in my smaller AIO (14 and 25 Nuvo) I had to give up on using floss for this exact reason.

While I'm good with monitoring the tanks, it was taking roughly 24 hours for my floss to clog, drive increased ATO, raising waterline.

I'm not familiar with the Fiji cube specifically, but yes, this is an issue lots of people have. Finding the balance of micron size, maintenance goal, and filtration needed is a tightrope.

Really appreciate it. That’s so annoying, though. Can’t wait until I can have a real sump someday.

 

[cmmatxh]

in my Waterbox Cube 20 I replaced the socks with filter floss using the intank floss holder. I replace the filter floss once a week or so and it stays relatively level with the tunze nano ATO in the third chamber to handle evaporation loss

what return pump are you using? i just installed an intank chamber one but my third chamber keeps going dry within a few hours. and i only have filter floss nothing in the bottom compartments

 

[Chlorinated]

what return pump are you using? i just installed an intank chamber one but my third chamber keeps going dry within a few hours. and i only have filter floss nothing in the bottom compartments

Do you have an ATO? If your level is dropping that fast it seems like you floss is clogging very fast.

Maybe try a deep clean of the sand and rocks with the floss. Toss the floss after tank clears and then add more floss.

Also, the pumps used in the AOIs are fairly low flow...for obvious reasons. If you use too much floss then the flow will already be restricted...add in a bit of debris and you get clogged.

I use a single layer of floss in my basket in my AIO. does it catch every spec? No, but it catches enough and I clean it every couple days.

Less is more in these tanks when it comes to filtration blocking flow.

 

[stylolvr]

in my Waterbox Cube 20 I replaced the socks with filter floss using the intank floss holder. I replace the filter floss once a week or so and it stays relatively level with the tunze nano ATO in the third chamber to handle evaporation loss

Were there any required modifications to the first chamber with the floss holder? I don’t really want to remove the sock bracket holders since the tank is up and running and this seems like a good plug and play alternative.

 

[Gaspipe]

in my Waterbox Cube 20 I replaced the socks with filter floss using the intank floss holder. I replace the filter floss once a week or so and it stays relatively level with the tunze nano ATO in the third chamber to handle evaporation loss

I have a WB MP25 and am running the same issue as the OP. To boot my Hanna salinty pen was off and my salinty was too low. I may lose a torch

Calibrated the pen, and now trying to figure out water levels for return chamber. My fear is if I am away for a week.