Who Replaced Filter Socks w/ A Skimmer?

[naterealbig]

I oversize my skimmers 3-4x manufacturer recommendations and don't use filter socks.

My systems are dominant acropora setups and bare bottom.

No algae filters..........I will use GFO to keep P04 stable if needed.

Great info @Big E ! Thank you very much.

Which skimmer are you using for your BB SPS setup? How large is your display, sump? What is your return flow rate? I assume that because you have been running like this that there is no major concern for floating particulate in your setup?

Best Regards

 

[naterealbig]

The 240 has 3500 GPH, the 75 has 700 gph and the 30 has 200gph from the same sump.

Thank you for this - looks like about 10X roughly. Coincidentally, about what I am running on mine (1300gal for 150gal display). Great info!

 

[dank reefer]

I dumped the filter socks in March or April of 2019, and I will not go back to using filter socks. I do run a fuge though which does catch all the particles in the tank, and feeds the macro algae (chaeto). my P04 stays at about .05 and really haven't checked my N03 lately. But since removing the filter socks and tank has been running for over a year its been keeping it steady. I do have to clean out the sump more often to get any of the detritus, and particles that are settled in the sump.

I do run a sand bed in my DT, but I am BB on the frag tank, which is plumbed into my DT.

 

[WVNed]

 

[Quietman]

RSR170, no fuge, big skimmer (Tunze 9410DC), carbon dosing (reason for big skimmer), but I do have shallow sand for appearance.

Ran blue/white sponge filter rolled up in cup for first 6 months. Recently - last 2 weeks pulled the sponge. Water is still crystal clear, skimmer doesn't appear to be pulling anymore gunk out and I didn't adjust it.

I'm testing parameters again today or tomorrow but first week was no impact to no3/po4 - 5ppm and .07ppm before and after filter pull.

I do run a small bag (3 tbsp) ROX 8.0 GAC and a teaspoon of Phosguard in the cup still.

 

[WiscoFishNut]

I tried going this route and am coming to the conclusion that I need to do some kind of mechanical filtration, even if just temporarily to get rid of the particles.

I'm running a bare bottom 60g cube w/ a sump (nothing in the fuge yet) and a Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS skimmer. My return pump is running pretty slow(30%) to keep balance with the tank's overflow rate. I'm planning on trying one last ditch effort with filter floss. The sump (Fiji Cube Fiji-20) has an option to remove the dual sock holder and replace it with a filter floss container. I'm hoping that'll be enough to keep the water clear.

 

[Big E]

Great info @Big E ! Thank you very much.

Which skimmer are you using for your BB SPS setup? How large is your display, sump? What is your return flow rate? I assume that because you have been running like this that there is no major concern for floating particulate in your setup?

Best Regards

My total system volume is 80g. Sump is approx 10g.
Return flow approx. 300gph

I run an Aquamaxx ConeS- 3

Visible particles are not an issue, never have been.

 

[naterealbig]

RSR170, no fuge, big skimmer (Tunze 9410DC), carbon dosing (reason for big skimmer), but I do have shallow sand for appearance.

Ran blue/white sponge filter rolled up in cup for first 6 months. Recently - last 2 weeks pulled the sponge. Water is still crystal clear, skimmer doesn't appear to be pulling anymore gunk out and I didn't adjust it.

I'm testing parameters again today or tomorrow but first week was no impact to no3/po4 - 5ppm and .07ppm before and after filter pull.

I do run a small bag (3 tbsp) ROX 8.0 GAC and a teaspoon of Phosguard in the cup still.

This is good to hear - keep us updated on with the results of your next test!

Thank you

 

[naterealbig]

I tried going this route and am coming to the conclusion that I need to do some kind of mechanical filtration, even if just temporarily to get rid of the particles.

I'm running a bare bottom 60g cube w/ a sump (nothing in the fuge yet) and a Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS skimmer. My return pump is running pretty slow(30%) to keep balance with the tank's overflow rate. I'm planning on trying one last ditch effort with filter floss. The sump (Fiji Cube Fiji-20) has an option to remove the dual sock holder and replace it with a filter floss container. I'm hoping that'll be enough to keep the water clear.

Thank you for the reply @WiscoFishNut - another great data point.

Any idea what your return pump flow rate might be at 30%?

 

[WiscoFishNut]

Thank you for the reply @WiscoFishNut - another great data point.

Any idea what your return pump flow rate might be at 30%?

Yep, I'm running a Jebao DCT4000 which is rated at 1056 GPH, so 316.8 GPH @30%, but you have to factor in 4 feet of 1" pipe (only 2 x 45 degree elbows, no T's for reactors and stuff). If I had to guess I'd say 270GPH, but I'm no expert on that math.

 

[naterealbig]

Yep, I'm running a Jebao DCT4000 which is rated at 1056 GPH, so 316.8 GPH @30%, but you have to factor in 4 feet of 1" pipe (only 2 x 45 degree elbows, no T's for reactors and stuff). If I had to guess I'd say 270GPH, but I'm no expert on that math.

All good - everyone just estimates.... 99% of folks are probably WAY off without breaking out the Fluid Dynamics Text Book .

My gut was telling me that a slower return flow would minimize the particulate - and at a glance, it doesn't seem this way in your case.
Of note however, your skimmer at "heavy bio load" is rated @ 60 gallons, or approximately 1x tank capacity. @Big E skimmer at "heavy bio load is rated at 270 gallons, or 3x tank capacity..... Perhaps the massively oversized skimmer is what makes the difference?

As an aside, for this theoretical setup, i would likely use a MRC double Beckett injector skimmer - which would allow for an absolutely enormous amount of air and water flow. Coupled with a quality, powerful DC pump, the skimmer is efficient, adjustable, and bullet proof

 

[FranklinDattein]

Thank @fsamir:

Visible particles are a concern; although I am willing to make some trade of aesthetics for functionality (after all, I just removed all of my sand ). I guess it depends on how much particulate there is, and how much it detracts from the display "presentation" - which is hard to quantify.

Out of curiosity, for the system with no socks/large skimmer:

1. Which skimmer did you choose?
2. What is approximate tank size and return flow?

I know a couple of guys that can't bear any particles and they only rested after they removed the sand, installed a roller filter and UV or ozone. These guys were looking for pristine water clarity and usually have OCD
If you you are one of those types, keep UV or ozone in mind, too.

The bright side is that you can do it incrementally, if removing sand didn't achieve the level of clarity you were looking for.


1. My skimmer is a JNS FC-280 (probably not popular in the USA).
2. Tank size is 500l (130gal) and return is a Vectra L1 at 60%. I can't remember the exact return flow, though.

 

[WiscoFishNut]

Ok, so Saturday morning I replaced the sock holder in my sump with a filter floss box. I put in as much filter floss as would fit and let it run since then. The water in the tank looks pretty dang good today. The floss is starting to get clogged up, but not to the point where water gets dumped to the next chamber via the overflow. I'll probably need to swap the floss in the next day or so. The cloudiness is pretty much all gone and there's only a small bit of particles floating around. I'm hoping after I swap the floss out it'll be 99% clear. If this works out and I only have to replace the floss once a week that's a win in my book lol

 

[LARedstickreefer]

I replaced socks with floss and run a skimmer in addition to the floss. I usually run floss only when I’m either cleaning the tank (catch debris that gets into the sump) or running carbon/poly pad to prevent it from clogging.

If you filter out all of the suspended particulate matter, your corals will have less food. This is why I usually just rely on my skimmer.

 

[Big E]

I replaced socks with floss and run a skimmer in addition to the floss. I usually run floss only when I’m either cleaning the tank (catch debris that gets into the sump) or running carbon/poly pad to prevent it from clogging.

If you filter out all of the suspended particulate matter, your corals will have less food. This is why I usually just rely on my skimmer.

I do the same and second all the "plankton" type food that the Sps get. When my lights come on there is always more particles/dust, ect. floating in the tank. I believe these are microscopic animals that only come out at night.

 

[jim_fitz]

personally i have 4 return lines and the go through floss, as biological process' work better in physically clean water

 

[naterealbig]

Anyone have thoughts on the most powerful/best skimmer for the job? I'm thinking Venturi or Beckett driven, for the air and water throughput....

Been looking at this skimmer. The RK2 says rated for 700 gallons for the 6-3.5 model. Anyone have any experience with these units?

RK2 Systems - Protein Skimmers

Professional Grade Aquatic Life Support filtration for freshwater or seawater shellfish and finfish aquaculture systems, public aquarium and zoological facilities and the hobbyist fish/reef aquarium markets worldwide.

www.rk2.com