No filter sock in sump? Why Randy?

[AzReefn]

In the context of refugia discussions, it is (or should be) flow from tank to refugium and back, and IMO, 10x needed makes no clear sense.

That said, it is certainly possible that some people confound these different ideas: tank flow vs refugium flow through.

Ah gotch'ya, so my turnover is fine and most likely my tank flow would suffice for higher flow corals at 27x.
So I'm contemplating removing my filter sock to try to sustain a higher pod population. Is it something I can just remove without issue or will I need to replace it with something else like GFO, or vodka dosing etc.?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah gotch'ya, so my turnover is fine and most likely my tank flow would suffice for higher flow corals at 27x.
So I'm contemplating removing my filter sock to try to sustain a higher pod population. Is it something I can just remove without issue or will I need to replace it with something else like GFO, or vodka dosing etc.?

I'd remove it and see what happens. You can always add it back.

 

[AzReefn]

I'd remove it and see what happens. You can always add it back.

Hahaha true, however I've read posts where tanks have crashed from removing filter media like bio balls. Would removing the sock potentially have the same result?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hahaha true, however I've read posts where tanks have crashed from removing filter media like bio balls. Would removing the sock potentially have the same result?

No.

 

[Sea MunnKey]

The ~1% daily I did was actually running for many 15 minute periods each day, so it was actually almost continuous. It is potentially less stressful on organisms to change water that way, and less stressful on me since I needn't match anything (not temp, salinity, etc.) and it runs automatically. I only needed to make up new salt water once a month or so and it did its thing on its own with a two line diaphragm pump on a timer..

Hello Randy ... it's been pretty interesting reading up on a lot of your research & writings (as much as I could understand and remember ...). When you had stated that you "make new saltwater once a month or so and it did its thing on its own with a two line diaphragm pump on a timer..." my 2 questions are:
A. which particular diaphragm pump model (we do have a hard time looking for one let alone purchasing it in Toronto) and
B. new saltwater in a reservoir doesn't alter or change any trace elements that's in the synthetic salt in or around a month's in storage?

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello Randy ... it's been pretty interesting reading up on a lot of your research & writings (as much as I could understand and remember ...). When you had stated that you "make new saltwater once a month or so and it did its thing on its own with a two line diaphragm pump on a timer..." my 2 questions are:
A. which particular diaphragm pump model (we do have a hard time looking for one let alone purchasing it in Toronto) and
B. new saltwater in a reservoir doesn't alter or change any trace elements that's in the synthetic salt in or around a month's in storage?

Thank you

I used a dual head Reef Filler pump. It's loud so is only suitable for a garage or basement.

Salt mixes may have some precipitation of calcium carbonate (my IO did), but I'm not sure how much of that happened after the first day. I did not heat the water, which decreases the chances. Lower alk mixes won't have this trouble as much.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Hahaha true, however I've read posts where tanks have crashed from removing filter media like bio balls. Would removing the sock potentially have the same result?

I've removed my sock for the same reason as you want to. Its been about 2 weeks so far, and the biggest difference I've seen is there is particulate matter in the water column. No real measurable difference in the nutrient level. I love not changing and washing socks!

 

[Oldreefer44]

I also removed my filter socks and the following happened:
GHA which had been an off and on problem, disappeared.
Water chemistry did not change other than PO4 went down by about .03
Coral, mostly sps and lps seemed not to notice.

I have a sump that is mostly filled with rock
A Pax Bellum algae reactor
Dose Red Sea A & B 5 days a week and Accropower 2 times weekly.

Feel that socks are only really beneficial to keep some particulates out of the water column but at the same time, unless they are changed out and cleaned daily, end up being as detrimental as they are beneficial.

 

[Sea MunnKey]

Dang it ... my company IT security wouldn't allow me to search for the Reef Filler pump info online ... ;Rage

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

I've always run around 3-5 turnover through the sump after reading in Coral magazine many years ago that this was the norm in Europe. You know, German efficiency, baby.
It makes the entire system much quieter and is a more efficient use of energy as well. If you want more flow in the display, use powerheads up there. No sock either.

 

[Centurio]

Neptune Dos works great for continuous water changes as well and is easy to use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dang it ... my company IT security wouldn't allow me to search for the Reef Filler pump info online ... ;Rage

Might not be available anymore. For decades they were sold by Champion Lighting, but they no longer list them.

 

[Sea MunnKey]

Might not be available anymore. For decades they were sold by Champion Lighting, but they no longer list them.

You are not wrong and I may have to search elsewhere for a dual Reef Filler pump ... sigh. Thanks for the confirmation ... saw our RC posting dated back in 2008!!

 

[AzReefn]

No.

Thank you[emoji5]

 

[AzReefn]

I also removed my filter socks and the following happened:
GHA which had been an off and on problem, disappeared.
Water chemistry did not change other than PO4 went down by about .03
Coral, mostly sps and lps seemed not to notice.

I have a sump that is mostly filled with rock
A Pax Bellum algae reactor
Dose Red Sea A & B 5 days a week and Accropower 2 times weekly.

Feel that socks are only really beneficial to keep some particulates out of the water column but at the same time, unless they are changed out and cleaned daily, end up being as detrimental as they are beneficial.

Well I have had a small algae problem for a month or so. I was changing my sock once a week [emoji849]
I think I'll go without it for a while

 

[madcanary]

I run triton with the synergy reef sump my refugium grows like GSP.
My turnover is around 1000 my sump is louder than quiet but not bad.
The idea behind the high turnover so that your not running 2 systems is the slower flow in the sump would create a different environment. I didn’t read the whole thread.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

i only use filter socks when blowing off rock work. Flow from sump is about 5x system volume, in display around 50x. No water changes and PO4 was .009 on Triton testing. I do have an ATS

 

[mic209]

For those of you who know how much turnover is going through your tank/sump, how are you getting your measurement? Are you putting a 1 gallon jug at the return line and timing it, or just taking a guess based on return pump specs?

 

[Bruce Burnett]

For those of you who know how much turnover is going through your tank/sump, how are you getting your measurement? Are you putting a 1 gallon jug at the return line and timing it, or just taking a guess based on return pump specs?

guesstimated by head loss and then taking another 15% off. Since i oversized the return i figure it is close enough for my use.

 

[ChrisOFL]

I used to worry about turnover and flow rates through my sump and display but over time with keeping corals I've started to look more at how the polyps are flowing/reacting versus how much turnover do I have total. It's the corals that need the flow not the sump. People have too much variabilty in this hobby with great success for there to be a specific number required.