Resolution to HOB filters getting clogged

[tutmatt3]

Hey Guys,

So I have a sumpless system, w/ 2x HOB filters, each with 2x standard filters of carbon. My issue is that these filters get gunk build up quickkk. I can't rinse them in a bucket of RO water, since I need much more power to get the gunk off. I can't rinse them in the sink due to water being left behind which I prefer not to. My current resolution is filling a spare WaterPik flosser I don't use with RO water, and hitting the filters with them to unclog them.

This is a lengthy process, so what type of resolution do you guys recomend?

I was thinking of putting each one of my filters in a nylon-type bag (filter sock), so anytime that clogs up, I can rinse that easily in the sink, and put the filter back in - which should supposedly be clean and wouldn't require de-clogging as the nylon bag should protect it. Any additional input?

I change them out 1x times a month, but need to do something once-twice a week to unclog the gunk. Thanks!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Pretty cool your pulling that much funk out.

How are you packing the media and what media are you using?

 

[jeff williams]

Hey Guys,

So I have a sumpless system, w/ 2x HOB filters, each with 2x standard filters of carbon. My issue is that these filters get gunk build up quickkk. I can't rinse them in a bucket of RO water, since I need much more power to get the gunk off. I can't rinse them in the sink due to water being left behind which I prefer not to. My current resolution is filling a spare WaterPik flosser I don't use with RO water, and hitting the filters with them to unclog them.

This is a lengthy process, so what type of resolution do you guys recomend?

I was thinking of putting each one of my filters in a nylon-type bag (filter sock), so anytime that clogs up, I can rinse that easily in the sink, and put the filter back in - which should supposedly be clean and wouldn't require de-clogging as the nylon bag should protect it. Any additional input?

I change them out 1x times a month, but need to do something once-twice a week to unclog the gunk. Thanks!

Order a sponge pre filter that you slide onto the pick up tube in the tank then you just remove it rinse it out and the filter floss on the filter cartridge will stay cleaner a lot longer dr foster and smith sell them pretty cheap

 

[tutmatt3]

Pretty cool your pulling that much funk out.

How are you packing the media and what media are you using?

Haha ya. I think a lot of the gunk may be leftover pellet food decomposing. They look like distoms sometimes on the rocks but im 90%sure its just the decomoosed food.

There's even heavy layers of it on some areas of the rock. May need to scrub em hard to get off

They're just the original topfin & marineland filters. Thought about maybe reusing the plastic and fabricating my own thing for the nylon, but don't want to get that DIY

Order a sponge pre filter that you slide onto the pick up tube in the tank then you just remove it rinse it out and the filter floss on the filter cartridge will stay cleaner a lot longer dr foster and smith sell them pretty cheap

Hmm Maybe! I prefer something on the other end, closer to the filter. I'm sure as i remove the pre filter to clean, a lot of that gunk will end in the water column as i Get it out

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's best imo to get it out of the tank.
I ran hob tanks or many years. If the filter was clean it causes problems.

A skimmer/ filter sock tank relies on the bio filter to pull the rotted foods out as bacterial waste. A sump is a gravity filter.

 

[tutmatt3]

It's best imo to get it out of the tank.
I ran hob tanks or many years. If the filter was clean it causes problems.

A skimmer/ filter sock tank relies on the bio filter to pull the rotted foods out as bacterial waste. A sump is a gravity filter.

To get what out of the tank? The entire hob filters?

What problems did you run into with them being clean

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

To get what out of the tank? The entire hob filters?

What problems did you run into with them being clean

To get the detritus out of the tank. When I packed the hob poorly it wouldn't trap anything.
If you put a sponge on the inlet to the hob it will leave the detritus in the tank.

So if the hob was clean when I did my WC and cleaning I knew it was not pulling anything out of the tank.

 

[tutmatt3]

To get the detritus out of the tank. When I packed the hob poorly it wouldn't trap anything.
If you put a sponge on the inlet to the hob it will leave the detritus in the tank.

So if the hob was clean when I did my WC and cleaning I knew it was not pulling anything out of the tank.

Yeah that's one reason why I prefer not to add a sponge to the inlet. That plus if the sponge indeed gets clogged, it would force the motor to work harder, and possibly shorten its life.

I like that I'm able to pull out the original brands' filters & clean them out with my waterpik / rodi solution, I was just hoping for a easier way - which is why I thought of tossing each filter in some sort of filtersock/etc.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Try some filter floss. The blu white stuff.
You can throw it away too.
There's a couple company's that make custom inserts. You can kind of copy their setups.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

In tank media baskets I think it's called.
Pretty much pull the whole thing out for cleaning.

 

[harryball69]

Sounds like over feeding..

 

[tutmatt3]

Thanks for the recommendation salty I'll look into it.

And regarding overfeeding, I tried to feed my tank smart

Try to make sure every pellet is eaten before it hit the send and only put in about 2 to 3 at a time. And I defrost my frozen shrimp and feed very slowly to make sure everything is eating before I feed more

About 1 to 2 minutes worth total


My theory is it's most likely the small oyster feast which I allow to circulate for 30 minutes with the pumps off every time I feed

 

[brandon429]

Why not just rinse them in tap water until clean? You can do a final rinse w ro water and even if you didn't tap is harmless as a rinse. It does not kill the bacteria on the filters even if you ran the hottest setting.

If we look up the effectiveness of city tap water as a brief rinse it's the same as rinsing with saltwater, it's literally not a sterilizer whatsoever and even if you left the filters soaking for 24 hrs in tap the chlorine would degas out before it has time to sterilize. numerous articles cover the amnt of live heterotrophic bacteria that come out of tap water. for the way we use it=harmless and ideal. we have a six page thread of rinsing live sand beds with it, to restore invaded tanks back into control. my own included numerous times

Tap rinsing is a trick the sages use to be complete in rinsing/backwashing both fw filter systems and marine filter systems for the ages. having to use premade water as a rinse is limiting and no more supportive of overall bacteria nor safety, and that final wash in ro mitigates its worst characters anyway. that's how I do my sandbed. unlimited rinse potential.

I know you didn't want to use non tank water but once we find out tap leaves as much bacteria after a rinse as .023 saltwater, and that it can be post rinsed with clean ro or tank water anyway, that may change your stance on it

 

[tutmatt3]

Why not just rinse them in tap water until clean? You can do a final rinse w ro water and even if you didn't tap is harmless as a rinse. It does not kill the bacteria on the filters even if you ran the hottest setting.

If we look up the effectiveness of city tap water as a brief rinse it's the same as rinsing with saltwater, it's literally not a sterilizer whatsoever and even if you left the filters soaking for 24 hrs in tap the chlorine would degas out before it has time to sterilize. numerous articles cover the amnt of live heterotrophic bacteria that come out of tap water. for the way we use it=harmless and ideal. we have a six page thread of rinsing live sand beds with it, to restore invaded tanks back into control. my own included numerous times

Tap rinsing is a trick the sages use to be complete in rinsing/backwashing both fw filter systems and marine filter systems for the ages. having to use premade water as a rinse is limiting and no more supportive of overall bacteria nor safety, and that final wash in ro mitigates its worst characters anyway. that's how I do my sandbed. unlimited rinse potential.

I know you didn't want to use non tank water but once we find out tap leaves as much bacteria after a rinse as .023 saltwater, and that it can be post rinsed with clean ro or tank water anyway, that may change your stance on it

You know, that is very true..
I was less concerned with killing bacteria on the cartridges (each HOB has a bio-plate for bacteria, and I have a decent amount of rock/sand as well), but was more cautious of introducing any nasties / silicate from tap water into the tank.

The RODI bath is definitely an option after rinsing with some pressured tap water.

Thanks!