Should I Add A Fleece Filter Roller?

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I'm considering adding a fleece filter roller (the Thieling Compact to be precise), but I'm not sure if I should.

The major upside would be I think my system could benefit from some mechanical filtration. Currently, I don't use any, and there's always some detritus somewhere in the system. I think keeping things cleaner in general might help with some dino/cyano problems I've been having. I've also always had a problem with vermetid snails. I'm sure no mechanical filtration means there's a lot for them to eat. So I would hope to see a benefit there as well.

The downside would be I hate making changes to my system. It's only in the last year or two that my SPS have really started taking off. So any change could upset whatever delicate balance I've struck.

Plus, the corals could be eating particulate matter from the water column. If I start filtering it out, that could halt their growth or cause decline. I will say, I don't directly feed particulate matter, and I don't feed my frag tray directly. I feed pellets to my display tank. So there may not be much particulate food making it to my corals anyway. I also run normal nitrates (~5 ppm) and high phosphates (0.15 - 0.2 ppm), so I don't think they would starve without particulate foods. But still, change always brings uncertainty.

I'd like to hear the community's thoughts on what you would do if you were in my shoes. Thanks!

 

[Timfish]

I wouldn't. Fish poop is an important part of the carbonate cycle in reef systems. I don't use any mechanical filtration and only rarely (years) siphon detritus out from my sumps.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I'm considering adding a fleece filter roller (the Thieling Compact to be precise), but I'm not sure if I should.

The major upside would be I think my system could benefit from some mechanical filtration. Currently, I don't use any, and there's always some detritus somewhere in the system. I think keeping things cleaner in general might help with some dino/cyano problems I've been having. I've also always had a problem with vermetid snails. I'm sure no mechanical filtration means there's a lot for them to eat. So I would hope to see a benefit there as well.

The downside would be I hate making changes to my system. It's only in the last year or two that my SPS have really started taking off. So any change could upset whatever delicate balance I've struck.

Plus, the corals could be eating particulate matter from the water column. If I start filtering it out, that could halt their growth or cause decline. I will say, I don't directly feed particulate matter, and I don't feed my frag tray directly. I feed pellets to my display tank. So there may not be much particulate food making it to my corals anyway. I also run normal nitrates (~5 ppm) and high phosphates (0.15 - 0.2 ppm), so I don't think they would starve without particulate foods. But still, change always brings uncertainty.

I'd like to hear the community's thoughts on what you would do if you were in my shoes. Thanks!

How easy will this be to do?

I have filter socks I replace on the regular and a powerful skimmer and still have detritus in many places, so do let that be the deciding factor(ridding your system of detritus).

But it would be nice to pull things out as the system ages it is good to help control nutrients and keep them on the lower side if that's what your after.

I Like to have mechanical filtration so I can have relatively lower nutrients and add them if I need to, or feed more if I feel like.

With a roller atleast it would make maintenance a little easier than socks, and you could always slow down your advancement at first while your system gets used to having mechanical filtration.

So if it were easy enough to do I would definitely do it, no imput on brands, but having a roller I believe would be a good addition to a system.

Go for it!

 

[mike550]

@chipmunkofdoom2 I have a fleece roller in my system as a substitute for socks. This has to be one of the best changes I made for my tank. I agree with you that adding mechanical filtration is a good thing to do … although I’m sure there will be those who say “if it’s not broken dont fix it”. I’ve found that the fleece is much better at keeping my tank chemistry steady than socks and I don’t need to worry about keeping an eye on my socks to replace and clean them.

Two quick points to consider. I set up my fleece to advance a bit every couple of hours rather than relying on water levels triggering the fleece to advance. I feel like it’s a more consistent approach. Second, when I replace the fleece with a new roll my skimmer foams up a bit. So I turn off my skimmer for a couple of hours after I change rolls.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

How easy will this be to do?

I have filter socks I replace on the regular and a powerful skimmer and still have detritus in many places, so do let that be the deciding factor(ridding your system of detritus).

But it would be nice to pull things out as the system ages it is good to help control nutrients and keep them on the lower side if that's what your after.

I Like to have mechanical filtration so I can have relatively lower nutrients and add them if I need to, or feed more if I feel like.

With a roller atleast it would make maintenance a little easier than socks, and you could always slow down your advancement at first while your system gets used to having mechanical filtration.

So if it were easy enough to do I would definitely do it, no imput on brands, but having a roller I believe would be a good addition to a system.

Go for it!

It would be pretty easy to implement. I have two systems draining into the same sump, so I wouldn't put it on a return line. I'd just put it in my sump and add an external pump to feed it.

I run filter socks occasionally, but I always get too lazy and stop changing them out. Plus, I have a 50 gallon Rubbermaid trough as a sump, and there's really not a great place to put filter socks there. So a filter roller would definitely make things easier.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I wouldn't. Fish poop is an important part of the carbonate cycle in reef systems. I don't use any mechanical filtration and only rarely (years) siphon detritus out from my sumps.

I agree, there's something about having enough fish in the system that is beneficial. I do often wonder though, is the benefit from the poop itself? Or is the benefit from the nitrogen and phosphorus in the poop? And that fish are just basically constantly dosing your system with N and P?

At any rate, this is a good consideration, and one I'm taking into account for sure. Thanks for mentioning!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

It would be pretty easy to implement. I have two systems draining into the same sump, so I wouldn't put it on a return line. I'd just put it in my sump and add an external pump to feed it.

I run filter socks occasionally, but I always get too lazy and stop changing them out. Plus, I have a 50 gallon Rubbermaid trough as a sump, and there's really not a great place to put filter socks there. So a filter roller would definitely make things easier.

Yeah I'd definitely go for it, it sounds like the best move for your set up. I guess the one thing I would do is find one with the "best but cheapest" filter media, I know some are making diy roller fleece, but I've read some cost a little more to maintain, I have no experience with them but I like the idea.

 

[Psychedelic Fins]

I'd listen to your corals. I think sometimes we overcomplicate our system to the detriment of our animals. Thriving SPS corals are a great indication that what you currently are doing is working.

 

[exnisstech]

The downside would be I hate making changes to my system. It's only in the last year or two that my SPS have really started taking off. So any change could upset whatever delicate balance I've struck.

If your not running any mechanical filtration now and your not really sure if you should why not try socks for a while? If it works out then step up to a filter roller. If it doesn't work out your not out hundreds of $
I've considered one but the price has put me off. Also I seem to keeps seeing a post from someone having trouble with theirs and I like to keep thing simple. More moving parts mean more points of failure. I run mesh socks on my smaller system. They are super easy to rinse out. I use reef diapers on my larger system so I just toss them.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

i like the idea of the fleece roller but have not bought one yet.
im thinking they will all be making improvements in the next generation models.

 

[Timfish]

I agree, there's something about having enough fish in the system that is beneficial. I do often wonder though, is the benefit from the poop itself? Or is the benefit from the nitrogen and phosphorus in the poop? And that fish are just basically constantly dosing your system with N and P?

At any rate, this is a good consideration, and one I'm taking into account for sure. Thanks for mentioning!

The paper I linked looked specifically at carbonates. There are other papers looking at organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in fish poop as well as nitrogenous wastes excreted through fish gills. So it's all three, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

If your not running any mechanical filtration now and your not really sure if you should why not try socks for a while? If it works out then step up to a filter roller. If it doesn't work out your not out hundreds of $
I've considered one but the price has put me off. Also I seem to keeps seeing a post from someone having trouble with theirs and I like to keep thing simple. More moving parts mean more points of failure. I run mesh socks on my smaller system. They are super easy to rinse out. I use reef diapers on my larger system so I just toss them.

This is probably the smart way to do it. I just hate changing filter socks lol. They clog pretty fast on my system and they're a pain to wash.

But you're right, if I really wanted to know if a fleece filter roller would help, using filter socks for 3 - 6 months would be a good way to test it out.

 

[Dom]

I wouldn't waste my money on such a luxury when you can go to the local hobby store, and for 29 cents each, use white felt squares.

 

[mike550]

This is probably the smart way to do it. I just hate changing filter socks lol. They clog pretty fast on my system and they're a pain to wash.

But you're right, if I really wanted to know if a fleece filter roller would help, using filter socks for 3 - 6 months would be a good way to test it out.

Great idea! Of course changing filter socks will push you to buy a roller. haha

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I wouldn't waste my money on such a luxury when you can go to the local hobby store, and for 29 cents each, use white felt squares.

In general, low tech is my approach to reefing. I don't have any sort of controller, for instance. I don't have LEDs where you can customize each single color channel. Dosing is done with DIY pumps that run on a timer. The most sophistocated thing I do is semi-automatic AWCs, where I siphon and use Home Assistant to refill the amount I drained with a commodity high-flow dosing pump.

A fleece filter would be worth it to me though. Life's getting pretty busy with work and my consulting gig, so shaving some time off my tank maintenance would be worth it.

 

[exnisstech]

I wouldn't waste my money on such a luxury when you can go to the local hobby store, and for 29 cents each, use white felt squares.

Or pillow stuffing by the bag if you have a basket. I do this occasionally on my smaller tank because it filters better than the mesh socks I use. I may have to give the felt a try.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I love my Roller, will never go without one again.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I hope everyone keeps buying these first generation rollers so the companies can do more r&d on your dime then in a few years I'll buy one when there's 100 to choose from and clear cut winners to buy. it takes time

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I'd listen to your corals. I think sometimes we overcomplicate our system to the detriment of our animals. Thriving SPS corals are a great indication that what you currently are doing is working.

Exactly. If everything is thriving, dont rock the boat.

 

[metalruebe]

Old post, but if anyone is asking himself the question i want to share my experience

My reef: mixed, about 50% sps/50% LPS and other; 90 gallon, feed 3x a day Flakes and in the evening 2 cubes frozen

No filter socks, no filterroller.. just heavy skimming (for about 16 hours a day, 2 hours Ozone injection) and 24/7 UV sterilization; system is running 2 years

Chemistry is very stable now:
3-5ppm nitrate, 0.05-0.08 phosphate, alk 7.5, Calcium 430-450

I started the first year with a very low nutritional approach and a filterroller, fed frozen only 1 time per week, flakes daily. My nutrients bottomed very often. More feeding resulted in nutrient spikes, but it didnt even it out.

At the 1 year mark i withdraw from filterrolling and my corals got a very substantial boost in growth and health. I don't use filter socks either. I stir up the detritus in the sump regularly to feed the coral

I didnt witness a vermetide explosion or substantial increase in any filterfeeders. My nutrients are interestingly much more stable.

The only tradeoff at the Moment ist water clarity. With the filterroller and Ozone combination my water was crystal clear. Now particulates are more visible, but it do3sn't bother me really. It was worth it and also there is one device less, which needs maintenance. Im glad i ditched it.

I will try coral snow to clear my water from particulates a bit, curious if it reduces it a bit.