fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Right now i have a 55 gallon tank on which i am running two filters one eheim canister filer ( not sure about model #) and one marineland hob emperor 400. I am moving up t a90 gallon tank with 30 g sump. Can i put the filters in the sump to keep the main clean clear of any pipes? Also do i need both filters? i may not have space for both in the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 You can hang them on the sump....same effect. Do you have a protein skimmer? If not, try to use both filters. Liverock would be a definite plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Yes i do have protein skimmer. So with protein skimmer - i should be okay just running the canister filter, right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 i am planning on having a refugium setup in the sump. can you point me to any designs or any pictures you may have of your setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 If you have a skimmer, why are you running the filters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 I didnt know its either or. I had the filters from when i had freshwater so just kept them in saltwater too. So you are saying i either need to have filters or skimmer but no need to run both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 I would ditch the filters and use a filter sock or filter floss in the sump and change it weekly to bi-weekly. You basically direct the incoming flow to the sump through the sock or floss. It's up for debate still, but it's typically assumed that canister filters on marine tanks build up too much detritus and thus end up releasing a bunch of NO3 back into the tank. They work well in FW because it's not uncommon to run 20 - 50ppm NO3, but that's not a good thing in a reef tank. Using media that is frequently changed like a sock or floss prevents this from happening. You should have plenty of bacteria in the tank's rock and substrate to handle the biological filtration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 It can't hurt to run some carbon through the canister, but it's not crucial. Just keep up with the maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 i have Red Sea Prizm Deluxe Protein Skimmer now. So i definitely need to upgrade my skimmer. any budget skimmers that you can suggest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 It's a little small, but I would run it until you get something larger. Check the used equipment section here, possible on MAAST, or other forums. I think it's worth it to get a good brand skimmer, but a used one should work just as well as new. Precision Marine, Deltec, Octopus, Bubble Magus, Tunze, many more... There's not a huge amount of difference in efficiency by shape or brand, so just get a good brand in the correct size range for the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Thank you so much for the help all of you. This forum is a wealth of information and a lot of friendly people sharing their experience with newbies like me. Thx again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 What they said! And, you're welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zilkerfish Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Moving to a bigger tank, you'll probably want to grab more liverock also. I think there is some for sale in the "livestock" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 i would get rid of the filters and just get a filter sock, makes life easier and it dont use electricity or generate heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 with the filter socks. r they reusable or do i replace them everytime? if s how often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 They're reusable, but mine never stay white forever. I change them when they discolor too much. Once a week I switch the filter sock with a spare that is already clean and dry. The dirty ones I clean with fresh water and soak them for a day in a little bleach water. After they are dry they are ready to used again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 i found a post on another forum where they were using filter socks used for milk filtering The post --> http://www.reef-geeks.com/forums/reef-geeks/5124-disposable-filter-socks.html the product --> http://www.fleetfarm.com/mff/detail/milkhouse-brand-heavy-duty-milk-filter-socks-2-1-4-in-x-12-in-/0000000001458 they cost about $14 for 100 of these. What do you guys think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 As long as they don't clog too quickly those looks better than a normal filter sock and you don't need to worry about cleaning them. I would use a plastic tube clamp instead of a rubber band but otherwise that should be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightinghippo Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 awesome. thanks for the comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I'm curious how often you would need to replace those. It would be nice to not have to clean but at the same time If I'm having to change it daily it gets to be a hassle in my eyes. I'd have to wet the new filter, install the pipe, install the clamp and remount the pipe. I'm more for the reuseable socks, just have a clean one on stand by pull the dirty and drop in the clean. no preppng each filter. Turn the filter inside out and spray it off in the shower then toss it into a bleach bucket to soak. Replace them as the get too dirty, but each 1 lasts 1 week between cleaning. at .89 cents each if you replaced them daily you spend 6.23 plus have to prep and remount a pipe each time. reuseable filter socks are 5.99 and last several uses. I can't see the dispossable really helping my situation. but if you can get away with changing them weekly then it becomes more feesible and I'd love to try them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuxx Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 i found a post on another forum where they were using filter socks used for milk filtering The post --> http://www.reef-geek...lter-socks.html the product --> http://www.fleetfarm...-/0000000001458 they cost about $14 for 100 of these. What do you guys think?? Cool idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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