Using wool in sump setup

[Avrilovigne]

Recently, my layer of wool (mechanical filtration) in my sump setup got stuck with debris and caused water from my outflow pipe to overflow into my living room. Some people told me I should not use wool filter as it is not necessary.

What are your thoughts? Is this required or do I just allow the water to flow directly through bio balls and just let the skimmer do the work?

[Evolutionz]

you should use micron sock filter to filter out debris instead. filter wool will become a nitrate bed if left un-washed

[Avrilovigne]

you should use micron sock filter to filter out debris instead. filter wool will become a nitrate bed if left un-washed

Where can I buy micron socks?

[Happy13]

Where can I buy micron socks?

Can check with East Ocean

[Admiraltian]

Where can I buy micron socks?

Any lfs should have it.

[Evolutionz]

i got my holder + sock at Clementi block 328.

[lazydevil]

you should use micron sock filter to filter out debris instead. filter wool will become a nitrate bed if left un-washed

Bro, correct me if i am wrong. For any given filter, even for the micron sock filter , if we put it inside the sump for maybe 2-3 weeks then it will become a nitrate factory too right?

[Zee123]

Bro, correct me if i am wrong. For any given filter, even for the micron sock filter , if we put it inside the sump for maybe 2-3 weeks then it will become a nitrate factory too right?

If you see the detritus/dirt trapped there, and it's left uncleaned, for a prolonged period of time, then yes it will become a nitrate factory.

[Evolutionz]

yes indeed, but micron filter are easier to clean and trap less detritus compared to a thick filter wool.

[hfabs]

But Micron sock filters are not so porous and clot easily and may cause water to overflow too. I use Sera filter wool and replace it every 2 weeks.

[Avrilovigne]

Has anyone successfully kept their tank without any sock or wool filter? I'd recently tried the sock and there's still a chance of choking unless you wash it every other day.

[Kayakkite]

I've thought of using socks too but afraid might choke and water overflow out of sump. Currently using wool and weekly discarded when changing water.

[lazydevil]

I find that using socks are much better than wool. They can trap more particles and is more "eco friendly", (can always wash and reuse).

The main concern is the nitrate that it is giving out over time.

[Admiraltian]

I've thought of using socks too but afraid might choke and water overflow out of sump. Currently using wool and weekly discarded when changing water.

If ur filter sock chokes or overflows easily, it might be due to the type of material of the sock, micron size of sock permeability, diameter and length of sock (too small).

[Kayakkite]

If ur filter sock chokes or overflows easily, it might be due to the type of material of the sock, micron size of sock permeability, diameter and length of sock (too small).

It might be due to feeding leftover food. I agreed that the socks diameter is important. I used a small one as space constraint. Hence now, back to wool type.

[Gouldian]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter.

In a typical marine tank, we need:

1. Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles
2. Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients
3. Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients

Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock).

If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer.

In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you.

Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles.

In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank.

Hope that helps.

[sunnymau]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter.

In a typical marine tank, we need:

1. Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles
2. Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients
3. Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients

Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock).

If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer.

In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you.

Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles.

In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank.

Hope that helps.

+1 well said bro!

[Avrilovigne]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter.

In a typical marine tank, we need:

• Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles
• Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients
• Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients

Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock).

If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer.

In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you.

Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles.

In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank.

Hope that helps.

Thanks!

[Admiraltian]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter.

In a typical marine tank, we need:

• Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles
• Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients
• Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients

Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock).

If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer.

In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you.

Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles.

In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank.

Hope that helps.

Agreed with what bro Gouldian said, regardless of whether u use sock or wool, u still need to practice good husbandry ( washing & cleaning of filter socks & changing filter wool every now & then ) in order to keep your tank water clean. Cheers and happy reefing.

[lazydevil]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter.

In a typical marine tank, we need:

1. Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles
2. Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients
3. Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients

Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock).

If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer.

In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you.

Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles.

In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. the clarification does help ..alot