Mechanical Filtration

Hey Aquarists,

I have a question about Mechanical filtration. I have a sump with water flowing first through a mechanical filter (Pad) then water flows over my carbon into the base of my sump, then my skimmer skims the water further and the water then passes through a long blue sponge to remove particulate matter, then finally the return pump send the water back to main tank. Do I need the mechanical filtration PAD in the beginning of my sump,... is it removing organic matter that is benefical to my reef? should I or shouldn't I have it? detailed info is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Tyslin,

IMHO get rid of the filter and let skimmer do its job. You are right that filter pad is taking out lots of benefical matter/creatures that are good for your reef.

Lots of people run pre-filters, but I got rid of mine (filter bags on return lines) long ago and the tank seems to be doing much better then it did.

It may cause a bit more particulate matter in water column but the benefits far outweigh the totally filtered water.

OmarD

 

I'm with Omard on this one. In Nov. of 07 I got rid of all filter floss and sponges in the sump. Incidentally, the blue sponge right before the return pump is meant to prevent bubbles from entering the return chamber of the sump, not for mechanical filtration, although it does serve to mechanically filter the water.

Like Omard said, there is resultantly more particulate matter in the water, but my sponges, dusters and other filter feeders in my tank love it.

Perhaps the biggest plus to no filter pads or floss, is the lack of maintenance of changing/cleaning pads twice a week.

My vortech moves the water in my main tank so well, nearly all the detritus accumulates in 3 inconspicuous areas on my sand bottom, and I siphon this up when I do my water changes.

 

Wow, just realized this thread is nearly a year old.

 

Reef-Guthrie-
Thanks for bumping it, I'd been wondering the same thing


I dropped a "polishing pad" in my fluval a few days ago and while the water has cleared up I started wondering about the copes (as in they are gone).

So a 29 gal with 60# LS 30# LR and a skimmer - drop the fluval entirely or run it with the larger bio-media only?