Modify JBJ overflow?

[reeferfoxx]

I want to get rid of my filter floss!! I Absolutely hate having to change out the filter floss. I feel like i'm a slave to this overflow. Reminds me when I used to smoke cigs... It stinks, you gotta replace them every other day, did i mention it stinks?

Anyway, I like the sponge that comes with the tank. Only because it reduces the intake noise(splashing). I don't like that after awhile it becomes a nitrate factory. Has anyone modified there overflow? and what do you use?

I've had thoughts about cutting the factory sponge in half for easier cleaning? Either keeping two halves on each overflow or reducing the sponge to half? Any ideas would be great because I really dislike having to check the filter floss.

 

[Bob Escher]

I ended up going with a media basket from intank. They are larger ( twice the size of one media basket) hold twice as much and comes almost all the way up to the screen. Depending if you have a older tank or newer ( mine is only 7 months old) you can add a floss or coarse sponge in it and it's easy ( very) easy to remove the sponge for cleaning) my tak is virtually silent other than the noise from the skimmer ( I don't have a internal tunze skimmer) I'm getting ready as soon as the piping comes in from BRS to move everything down into a refugium in the stand.
You can also try a finer sponge on top of the coarser sponge so it comes closer to the overflow.

Below is the link to media baskets
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Rimless-Nano-Cube-45-Media-Basket-RL45MR.htm

 

[Marktheshark83]

Owners of reef tanks are already slaves to thier tank.

In my opinion filter floss the best option. But who knows maybe someone out there has a easier way

 

[Chrisfish]

Owners of reef tanks are already slaves to thier tank.

In my opinion filter floss the best option. But who knows maybe someone out there has a easier way

I agree I only need to change mine when I do water changes and it blocks out the waterfall noise

 

[Bob Escher]

Gee I think owners of any type of tanks are slaves to their tanks as well as anyone who owns any pet

 

[reeferfoxx]

I have a standard 20 without any filtration other than live rock. At the moment im slave to only it's evaporation. Thw water changes are only 2 gallons every week, now. What i really like about the JBJ is the ability to use ATO without major parameter swings. However the overflow maintenance is driving me nuts.

The filter floss does a great job at filtering, really i don't want it. I think its filtering too much and allowing other biological elements to circulate. I would ultimately like the overflow to be sponge or filter free. For now I think I will cut the sponge in half, only for easier cleaning. I think I could get away with cleaning once a week.

So far cleaning a sponge once a week is better than poly-fill every 2 to 3 days. Until i figure out something better.

Bob, are going to use filter socks with your new refugium?

 

[Bob Escher]

No reefer fox ( love your name) I'm going to something called a Rottertube
http://www.rottertube.com/filtration/
It seems promising especialing being that you don't need to put the socks in a washing machine . It's basically a tube that has coarse sponges plus filter floss in it. Catches a lot of stuff. Just pull out the floss replace and your done

I have a standard 20 without any filtration other than live rock. At the moment im slave to only it's evaporation. Thw water changes are only 2 gallons every week, now. What i really like about the JBJ is the ability to use ATO without major parameter swings. However the overflow maintenance is driving me nuts.

The filter floss does a great job at filtering, really i don't want it. I think its filtering too much and allowing other biological elements to circulate. I would ultimately like the overflow to be sponge or filter free. For now I think I will cut the sponge in half, only for easier cleaning. I think I could get away with cleaning once a week.

So far cleaning a sponge once a week is better than poly-fill every 2 to 3 days. Until i figure out something better.

Bob, are going to use filter socks with your new refugium?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Wow! I watch some of this guys videos from his earlier years and really enjoyed his "offbeat" approach to reefing. Meaning, he always says things like they are without sugar coating the hobby. Glad to see something has come of his experience!

That sort of where i'm going with this. Although he's still using sponges and poly-fill, he's eliminating the sock and possible soap and detergent leeching.

To me, conventional sponges and poly-fill seem outdated with more cons than pros. Pro's being - they filter stuff! Con's being - increased nutrients, reduced water movement, maintenance. There is a lot of room for innovation in this area. The easier we can make the hobby, the more beneficial for the hobbyist and retailers. Our understandings about how reef tanks and biology work is never ending. What's worked in the past doesn't always last. Ultimately the filter floss I was using was causing excess bubbles, nutrients, maintenance needs and reduced flow causing ATO to over work. But my water was crystal clear. I believe we can achieve the same crystal clear water without the dreadful floss.

Take my points as trolling in the hobby, but maybe some day my tenacity can invent something you'll all love. Different strokes with different folks.