Mechanical Filtration: Skimmer Enough?

[HellaDudes]

I recently set up an all in one tank and I opted to use the filter caddy instead of a filter sock. I tried putting in filter pads or filter floss for mechanical filtration at the top of the caddy, but they get clogged so quickly that it restricts the water passing through the overflow. This creates all sorts of problems like raising the water level in my display and lowering it in my return chamber. This causes my ATO to pump in more water, dropping salinity and over dosing kalk... yada yada. Long story short, I stopped using them and now I only have carbon, GFO, marine pure and a protein skimmer for filtration.

Anyways, my question is this: Do I need a filter sock or filter pad to remove large particulate in the water column? Or does my protein skimmer provide sufficient mechanical filtration?

 

[Gablami]

Answers are No and Maybe. Plenty of successful reefers go without socks. And in regards to whether a skimmer is “enough” there’s a lot of variables there. But yes, it can be “enough” depending on what your goals are. Also I wouldn’t call a skimmer “mechanical filtration.”

 

[Cory]

A smimmer has a hard time removing large particles. However if you have a high powered skimmer (not a needle wheel but beckett or downdraft) then it will help.

 

[HellaDudes]

Answers are No and Maybe. Plenty of successful reefers go without socks. And in regards to whether a skimmer is “enough” there’s a lot of variables there. But yes, it can be “enough” depending on what your goals are. Also I wouldn’t call a skimmer “mechanical filtration.”

I guess my goals are low phosphate/nitrate and clear water. The reason I referred to it as mechanical filtration is because I know it has the capability to removes smaller particles, not just decayed organics. Also, doesn't aquarium filtration usually fit into 3 categories [mechanical, chemical and biological]? If it is not mechanical, how would you classify it? Or do you think this type of classification is oversimplified/inaccurate?

 

[HellaDudes]

A smimmer has a hard time removing large particles. However if you have a high powered skimmer (not a needle wheel but beckett or downdraft) then it will help.

i have in innovative marine desktop skimmer, so i don't think that counts as "high powered"... do you have any suggestions for something that will fit in a caddy that is clogged up within 24 hours?

 

[Cory]

Sorry whats a caddy? Would a rollermat fit?

 

[HellaDudes]

Sorry whats a caddy? Would a rollermat fit?

unfortunately, no, can't fit a rollermat

 

[Cory]

unfortunately, no, can't fit a rollermat

Thats tough. Id probably plumb a sump and get the usual socks or rollermat filter.

 

[Cory]

A skimmer wont fit in there fwiw

 

[HellaDudes]

A skimmer wont fit in there fwiw

skimmer is in the second chamber

 

[Cory]

skimmer is in the second chamber

Can you get a tank pic of it?

 

[tamanning]

I'm running a deep sand bed. No socks no media reactor only my home made skimmer. my nitrates are undetectable

 

[HellaDudes]

Can you get a tank pic of it?

it's just the standard innovative marine 14 gallon desktop skimmer and caddy upgrades

 

[HellaDudes]

I'm running a deep sand bed. No socks no media reactor only my home made skimmer. my nitrates are undetectable

how is you water clarity?

 

[tamanning]

how is you water clarity?

crystal no water changes in 4 years.

 

[Cory]

You wont get any skimmer powerful enough in the caddy for good mechanical removal.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Good old fashioned, old-school filter floss. Enough to polish the water, but not packed tight enough to hamper water flow.

 

[HellaDudes]

crystal no water changes in 4 years.

ok, screw the filter pads then. I'll just leave it as is.

 

[HellaDudes]

Good old fashioned, old-school filter floss. Enough to polish the water, but not packed tight enough to hamper water flow.

I've not really had too much luck with it. It always gets clogged. I do put it at the top of the caddy near the overflow. should i put it somewhere else? am i packing it too tight?

 

[JumboShrimp]

I’d say try less (keep it ‘light and fluffy’ instead of densely packed) and just work it into your normal routine to pull and replace (from the top of the caddy, where it’s easy to grab) every once a week.