Who uses the Red Sea reefer black sponge?

[Waynerock]

Thinking about taking this out. What has everyone done? Right now I use it cut in half and the end without sponge I have a bag of Purigen. Seems like it’s unneeded if you don’t have micro bubbles from a skimmer and don’t have a fuge. Thinking of Trying to get a bag of carbon down in it.
Ideas?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

That could work. If you leave it, it definitely needs regular cleaning. I'd think replacing it with media bags would be a good call.

 

[windemerejack]

I took mine out, clogs too quickly and caused sump level to rise sending skimmer crazy.

 

[magikfly]

I still have it after 20 months of running the reefer. I never had any trouble with it and its filled with sponges, tunicates and whatnot. i also never had to clean it because I use filter floss

 

[Tastee]

I still have it after 20 months of running the reefer. I never had any trouble with it and its filled with sponges, tunicates and whatnot. i also never had to clean it because I use filter floss

Same here, had mine in my RSR 250 for 2 1/2 years now. I originally cleaned it every 4-6 weeks but stopped that a year ago as it was clear it didn’t really need it. I haven’t touched it since then. My new RSR 525 has been running for 7 weeks now and it has the stock sponge also, don’t plan on touching it unless I need To.

 

[Plecosam]

The sponge is very coarse.

 

[ctopherl]

I took mine out, clogs too quickly and caused sump level to rise sending skimmer crazy.

Isn’t it noisy without the sponge there to soften the waterfall? How did you make it quiet?

 

[basshead808]

I took mine out, clogs too quickly and caused sump level to rise sending skimmer crazy.

Woke up this morning to this exact same thing. I think no more sponge for me.

 

[A Young Reefer]

If I don’t run it I will end up with too many micro bubbles, I have enough already.