Sump

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stangd1909
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Sump

Post by stangd1909 »

So I'm thinking of removing my filter sock and replacing it with 25-35 lbs of live rock. Is this an good idea? Does anyone else just use LR instead of a sock?
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Sump

Post by Pufferpunk »

I hate filter socks! I have the section under my dump opening to the sump, filled with rubble. Eliminates micro bubbles too.
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RTR
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Re: Sump

Post by RTR »

Filter socks are mechanical filters. Sumps w/live rock are biological filters. Apples and oranges, they are different things, performing different tasks.
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stangd1909
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Re: Sump

Post by stangd1909 »

RTR wrote:Filter socks are mechanical filters. Sumps w/live rock are biological filters. Apples and oranges, they are different things, performing different tasks.


Which one is better?
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Re: Sump

Post by J-P »

mechanical takes out the suspended particulate making your water clearer. Bio takes out harmful contaminates that you can't see.

You'll need both to a certain degree.
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stangd1909
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Re: Sump

Post by stangd1909 »

J-P wrote:mechanical takes out the suspended particulate making your water clearer. Bio takes out harmful contaminates that you can't see.

You'll need both to a certain degree.

Ok...thanks. I'll just run all three then.
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suvattii
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Re: Sump

Post by Pufferpunk »

Filter socks need to be changed out about every 3 days. PITA.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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stangd1909
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Re: Sump

Post by stangd1909 »

Pufferpunk wrote:Filter socks need to be changed out about every 3 days. PITA.

I agree...I just wash mine out.
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Re: Sump

Post by RTR »

Essentially all my SW tanks have had sumps, and all ave had overflow devices to feed the sumps from the main tank. Those overflows all have sponge filters for gross particulate capture. For SW tanks they are rinsed daily, but that is far simpler than rinsing a filter sock. Daily (or almost daily)* rinsing such prefilters makes quite a difference in the water quality IME.

*If I miss a day it does not bother me. If I check the tanks, I do the SW prefiler rinses. If I skip the checks, it does not spoil my day or the tank's balance.

There is no "better" between mechanical and biological. Both are needed and both are valuable, but they are separate jobs, as already said
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