Sponge Filter in Sump

I have an EShopp sump that has a sponge for filtration between two of the compartments. I know in the freshwater world whenver I do a water change I clean the filter pads with the old tank water that has been removed during the change. I am assuming I should be doing the same thing with this sponge. The tank has been up 9 weeks now and I started with a hair algae problem two weeks back and I am thinking this is part of the problem. I have a Tunze 9010 in the sump, just replaced a Euro Reef Rs 100 with the Tunze. There is also a phospate reactor in sump.

So my question is, should I clean the sponge at every water change? I know when I cleaned it this morning it was loaded with gunk...

Thank you

 

Definitely clean it. The last thing you want is to have it full of uneaten food, etc....... Good thing to clean it every week.

 

As glampka stated clean it sooner than later! It will impede water flow, cause nitrates, phosphates etc. to rise and detritus etc. to accumulate!

 

Thanks guys, that is what i thought. Just was making sure. I know it was impeding water flow and I have a sneaking suspicion it was probably one of the root causes of my algae bloom....

 

I would yank it totally as the sponge or sock just pulls the food from the water and the corals can't eat naturally. If more stopped scrubbing their water and let the fish waste and food particles float in the water colume so the corals will eat that as food.. I have a power head to come on several times a night to stir the sumps up to feed the corals.. Marine snow

 

actually I usually don't clean it using the theory that that sponge is full of anerobic bacteria and helps remove nitrates.

 

agree with tangster, take the sponge out. they clog constantly and prohibit some good stuff for the corals

 

But by removing the sponge, wouldn't it let all that crap get caught in the pump? Kas

 

i cut a little hole in mine to let tiny amounts of the good stuff back in the tank and still have the cleaning of the spnge there

 

sponges clog and prevent flow to easily. the stuff that it keeps will feed the corals or settle in the sump or fuge or goes back to the tank and settle for the clean up crew and helps to balance the eco system better. during a water change the siphon hose can be directed near the bottom of the tank or the sump if your concerned about it.