Replacing AIO equipment

[Mcdonalds]

Hey, so my questions are:

1) I’ve had my tank running for about 8-9 months now, and was wondering when I should replace my return pump in my 24g AIO. Also my protein skimmer is as old as the tank because it came with it, should it last a while?

2) Filter sponge replacement is getting a little annoying and I wanted socks from the start (especially because if the black plastic flakes that come off the sponge and go into the tank) so how do I buy the right ones? Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Joe31415]

If you don't like replacing filter sponges, stay away from filter socks. They're expensive to replace, at least if you replace them on a regular basis, and a pain to clean. And they'll have to replaced/cleaned fairly often. In my AIO QT, I replaced the socks with media baskets and stick some polyfill in them. At least when it's dirty and I don't feel like replacing it, I can move it a little bit so the incoming water hits a clean spot and stops making trickling sounds.

The other questions, about replacing your pump or skimmer, we can't really answer. That's going to be very dependent on what shape they're in. If you're looking for a reason to upgrade them, go ahead and do it. It's never a bad thing to have spare on hand. This would give you a chance to dismantle the old one (pump or skimmer), clean it really well, let it all air dry and put it away. It'll always be there, ready to go, if your current one breaks. It also allows you to swap them when it's time to clean so you don't feel rushed to get them back in the tank ASAP.

 

[Mcdonalds]

If you don't like replacing filter sponges, stay away from filter socks. They're expensive to replace, at least if you replace them on a regular basis, and a pain to clean. And they'll have to replaced/cleaned fairly often. In my AIO QT, I replaced the socks with media baskets and stick some polyfill in them. At least when it's dirty and I don't feel like replacing it, I can move it a little bit so the incoming water hits a clean spot and stops making trickling sounds.

The other questions, about replacing your pump or skimmer, we can't really answer. That's going to be very dependent on what shape they're in. If you're looking for a reason to upgrade them, go ahead and do it. It's never a bad thing to have spare on hand. This would give you a chance to dismantle the old one (pump or skimmer), clean it really well, let it all air dry and put it away. It'll always be there, ready to go, if your current one breaks. It also allows you to swap them when it's time to clean so you don't feel rushed to get them back in the tank ASAP.

So even if I cleaned them like every 3-5 days would it be expensive? Also I was planning on using the washer to clean them. But if polyfill is a good alternative then that sounds pretty good to me.

 

[tharbin]

My wife would throw me out if I stuck those things in the washing machine. Filter socks work very well but they are a hassle to work with and can get expensive. The filter sock wears out after repeated cleanings so you will need to buy replacement socks from time to time. Most AIOs use undersized socks (2.75" is a popular one) that are usually harder to get and more expensive than the standard 4" and 7" sizes. Therir smaller size also makes them harder to clean.

A lot of AIO users, including me, replace the filter sock holder with a media cup or rack. I use a media cup filled with filter floss. I just toss it and put new in very 3-4 days.

 

[Mcdonalds]

My wife would throw me out if I stuck those things in the washing machine. Filter socks work very well but they are a hassle to work with and can get expensive. The filter sock wears out after repeated cleanings so you will need to buy replacement socks from time to time. Most AIOs use undersized socks (2.75" is a popular one) that are usually harder to get and more expensive than the standard 4" and 7" sizes. Therir smaller size also makes them harder to clean.

A lot of AIO users, including me, replace the filter sock holder with a media cup or rack. I use a media cup filled with filter floss. I just toss it and put new in very 3-4 days.

Yep the floss sound great. So should I just size around for a rack or something? Also is there a certain reef safe kind of floss to buy or does anything work?

 

[tharbin]

Yep the floss sound great. So should I just size around for a rack or something? Also is there a certain reef safe kind of floss to buy or does anything work?

There are vendors that make racks or cups for most common AIO tanks. InTank is probably the biggest for the racks. You may want to check them out. Kraken Reef makes some cups as does Octo Aquatics and a bunch of 3D printers. Search by your tank name for filter cup. You should find at least one out there.

I use filter floss from InTank, Sera or Marineland but the least expensive alternative is pillow stuffing polyfill. There are number of people using various polyfills that they buy on Amazon or through Walmart but I've never used them so I will let others give a specific recommendation.