Filter Media

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by reefkprZ http:///t/392519/filter-media#post_3486312
my only filtration is my rock sand skimmer and algae screen, I am running a benthic zone sump for all the detritus to settle in. basicly its a stack of eggcrate and pipe with rubble rock on it to house natural micro and macro fauna. no pads no socks nothing like that.
I empty my skimmer cup once or twice a week, I clean the algae screen every two weeks. with my regular waterchanges tyhats all I have for filtration.
Are you the one who does 50% water changes every two weeks, and 100% "reset" 2Xs a year? I remember threads but seldom recall a name, sorry.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
my skimmer i empty at least once every week and half if not once a week....the turf scrubber i just let dry out every now and again...
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486318
Are you the one who does 50% water changes every two weeks, and 100% "reset" 2Xs a year? I remember threads but seldom recall a name, sorry.
right now I am only doing 30% every two weeks because I dont have a larger mixing container.... yet. but yes thats me
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
My mechanical filter on my old 55g system was simply a wastebasket full of crushed ouster shells.
Algae and stuff would "clog" the top so that every 3-6 months it would overflow. At which point I would just clean up the top.
about every years or two I would completely rinse the shells. And replace those "lost". A 40 pound bag of oyster shells from the local feed and seed store cost like $8 and lasted 5+ years.
nitrates and phosphates were unmeasureable because I also used macro algae in refugiums.
calcium jumped from 300 to 400 in a few weeks but alk dropped also. So I eventually started the diy two part system,
my .02
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaslbob http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486592
My mechanical filter on my old 55g system was simply a wastebasket full of crushed ouster shells.
Algae and stuff would "clog" the top so that every 3-6 months it would overflow. At which point I would just clean up the top.
about every years or two I would completely rinse the shells. And replace those "lost". A 40 pound bag of oyster shells from the local feed and seed store cost like $8 and lasted 5+ years.
nitrates and phosphates were unmeasureable because I also used macro algae in refugiums.
calcium jumped from 300 to 400 in a few weeks but alk dropped also. So I eventually started the diy twp part system,
my .02
Wow...now that sounds interesting....it all sounded pretty good up until you said it overflows every 3 to 6 months.
I also have macros, and 0 readings on nitrates or phosphates.
 
wild man

wild man

Member
I always see felt pads for sale to use for mechanical filtration. Has anyone tried just buying felt off the roll at a craft store?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Man http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486672
I always see felt pads for sale to use for mechanical filtration. Has anyone tried just buying felt off the roll at a craft store?
It's very thin...you need the "fluff" to catch stuff and become trapped in it instead of going into the tank. It would clogg too fast I would think.
 
wild man

wild man

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486686
It's very thin...you need the "fluff" to catch stuff and become trapped in it instead of going into the tank. It would clogg too fast I would think.
I went and bought some right after posting the question. LOL
I am going to try it with a layer of the blue and white media on top and see how it works. Will report back after the trial.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Man http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486700
I went and bought some right after posting the question. LOL
I am going to try it with a layer of the blue and white media on top and see how it works. Will report back after the trial.
I use polyfill batting used for quilts. I buy a big old roll of it for like $12.00 at a craft store. I cut it into sheets the size of my filter box and change out two sheets every week. I just throw out the used stuff. The used discarded stuff looks super gross... But I know that it is removing some pretty nasty stuff from the system.
I have a thicker polyfill almost felt like roll that I want my wife to sew up to fit in the filter box. I want like 5 and I want to change it out twice a week and just bleach and wash like filter socks. But the wife sux at sewing and it is on the way back burner for her. I need to learn how to sew.
 
wild man

wild man

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486703
I use polyfill batting used for quilts. I buy a big old roll of it for like $12.00 at a craft store. I cut it into sheets the size of my filter box and change out two sheets every week. I just throw out the used stuff. The used discarded stuff looks super gross... But I know that it is removing some pretty nasty stuff from the system.
I have a thicker polyfill almost felt like roll that I want my wife to sew up to fit in the filter box. I want like 5 and I want to change it out twice a week and just bleach and wash like filter socks. But the wife sux at sewing and it is on the way back burner for her. I need to learn how to sew.
This acrylic felt I bought was $5.99 a square yard, so it is very reasonable. The only question is, what was brought up earlier, about how fast it will clog up. I have a piece in place in the top try for my quarantine filter. If it lasts the week I would be thrilled.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486615
Wow...now that sounds interesting....it all sounded pretty good up until you said it overflows every 3 to 6 months.
I also have macros, and 0 readings on nitrates or phosphates.
I put some horizontal holes at the top above the media for the "overflow".
It was just setting in my sump/refugium so the overflow was just the trickling out the holes instead of going out the bottom.
when I heard the tricking, I cleaned the top screen and shells of the algae that had build up.
not as bad as it sounds.
but you should have seen all the crud I would rinse out every year or so. LOL
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392519/filter-media/20#post_3486703
I use polyfill batting used for quilts. I buy a big old roll of it for like $12.00 at a craft store. I cut it into sheets the size of my filter box and change out two sheets every week. I just throw out the used stuff. The used discarded stuff looks super gross... But I know that it is removing some pretty nasty stuff from the system.
I have a thicker polyfill almost felt like roll that I want my wife to sew up to fit in the filter box. I want like 5 and I want to change it out twice a week and just bleach and wash like filter socks. But the wife sux at sewing and it is on the way back burner for her. I need to learn how to sew.
When you throw the old stuff out, do you worry about loosing nitrifying bacteria.
Same with Bob, because the materials been there for 3-6 months, the bacteria has obviously had time to populate the material... so do you notice any spike in nitrite or anything after you throw the old stuff out?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top