Sponge filter in sump

[howietumba]

Bunch of rocks and sand in my display. Attached are pics of sump/sponges and my display.

 

[howietumba]

My display

 

[WestMI-Reefer]

You should sell it as a "nitrate factory" marketed toward those that have to dose nitrate. With all the nitrate dosing these days, I'm surprised bio balls haven't made a come back yet. As for taking out the sponge, you will be fine, unless it is the sole bio filter in the tank.

I’m in that situation right now. Running a skimmer and refugium has my nutrients nearly bottomed out, I added a sponge to a baffle in hopes of raising nutrients and slowing flow in the skimmer section. Working well so far, but eventually it will need to be cleaned which needs to done carefully

 

[howietumba]

I’m in that situation right now. Running a skimmer and refugium has my nutrients nearly bottomed out, I added a sponge to a baffle in hopes of raising nutrients and slowing flow in the skimmer section. Working well so far, but eventually it will need to be cleaned which needs to done carefully

So removing this sponge would really lessen my no3 then im assuming. Because ive been contemplating on getting an algae scrubber to be honest. I dont feed alot. I feed 3 cubes of frozen food once a day for a heavy stocked tank..

 

[howietumba]

So removing this sponge would really lessen my no3 then im assuming. Because ive been contemplating on getting an algae scrubber to be honest. I dont feed alot. I feed 3 cubes of frozen food once a day for a heavy stocked tank..

Also my po4 is consistent at .03-.05. I feed roids,gonipower,reefchili,ab+ and frozen coral food every other day.

 

[WestMI-Reefer]

Also my po4 is consistent at .03-.05. I feed roids,gonipower,reefchili,ab+ and frozen coral food every other day.

I think the sponge mostly raises just nitrate. Removing would definitely help lower it, maybe remove it in sections so the biological doesn’t get shocked? If your trying to rid the sponge.
I’m thinking if add the algae scrubber, phos would bottom out.
Maybe keep the sponge in and when it starts to get too nasty, remove/clean part of it, wait and do the same with other part?
I’m really enjoying the slowed flow that it provides in my sump, just gotta keep an eye on it to not let it build too much detritus.

 

[howietumba]

I think the sponge mostly raises just nitrate. Removing would definitely help lower it, maybe remove it in sections so the biological doesn’t get shocked? If your trying to rid the sponge.
I’m thinking if add the algae scrubber, phos would bottom out.
Maybe keep the sponge in and when it starts to get too nasty, remove/clean part of it, wait and do the same with other part?
I’m really enjoying the slowed flow that it provides in my sump, just gotta keep an eye on it to not let it build too much detritus.

Thank you for your input. Makes sense. Maybe best way is just to clean sponge instead of removal? Like you said i like the slowed flow in the sump as well.

 

[WestMI-Reefer]

Thank you for your input. Makes sense. Maybe best way is just to clean sponge instead of removal? Like you said i like the slowed flow in the sump as well.

It’s been working for you so far! You’re reef is beautiful!