AIO tank back filtration

[Rodolfo Garcia]

Hello guys, I finally have my 60 gallon long AIO tank going and I have a question regarding the filtration in the back. The first pic is exactly how i have my filtration set up. My only question is in the first prefilter chambers i feel like gunk is just floating on top and not being sucked into the next chamber even though water is flowing and i do have the waterfall effect going with the least water in the return chamber. Each prefilter chamber has a sock and i stuffed filter floss along the length of the sock on both sides. I also have biomedia rocks halfway up one of the chambers and a protein skimmer in the other. Are the chambers just to congested with filtration making the water not flow through hard enough to pull the gunk?
The return pumps are blasting water so I dont know what could be the issue.

 

[Fish Fan]

Bump for the OP!

What tank do you have?

 

[JumboShrimp]

You seem to have already ruled out what I was thinking-- sometimes people have all the water back there level across the back, without a helpful waterfall effect. Is that gunk 'new' gunk, from initially setting up the tank, or has it slowly developed/collected after a period of time? I'm just wondering whether it has any unusual consistency to it that's preventing it from moving/being pulled down? (Maybe remove it manually and see what else forms next.)

 

[Rodolfo Garcia]

Bump for the OP!

What tank do you have?

I have a 60 gallon long IcaCap AIO. Thank you for bumping my post.

 

[Rodolfo Garcia]

You seem to have already ruled out what I was thinking-- sometimes people have all the water back there level across the back, without a helpful waterfall effect. Is that gunk 'new' gunk, from initially setting up the tank, or has it slowly developed/collected after a period of time? I'm just wondering whether it has any unusual consistency to it that's preventing it from moving/being pulled down? (Maybe remove it manually and see what else forms next.)

I set up my tank yesterday so you may be right, it may just be fresh new gunk settling at top. I will remove and continue to monitor, see if that clears up. Do you think its necessary to put filter floss in the filter sock?

 

[JumboShrimp]

With a small AIO, I like filter floss 'instead' of a filter sock. I'd rather change filter floss often (maybe 3-5 days, based on a quick visual check) than monkey around rinsing out socks. ;)

 

[JumboShrimp]

My go-to. Lasts forever-- cuts into sheets/shapes.

 

[Rodolfo Garcia]

With a small AIO, I like filter floss 'instead' of a filter sock. I'd rather change filter floss often (maybe 3-5 days, based on a quick visual check) than monkey around rinsing out socks. ;)

Would you recommend removing the filter sock and just leaving the filter floss?

 

[Fish Fan]

I set up my tank yesterday so you may be right, it may just be fresh new gunk settling at top. I will remove and continue to monitor, see if that clears up. Do you think its necessary to put filter floss in the filter sock?

Given that this is a literally a brand new tanks, I think that gunk may just be floating residue from your salt mix, would be my guess.

With a small AIO, I like filter floss 'instead' of a filter sock. I'd rather change filter floss often (maybe 3-5 days, based on a quick visual check) than monkey around rinsing out socks. ;)

Same here. On my small Innovative Marine AIO tanks I swap the socks out for media baskets (I personally don't like socks on any system). In the top of the media basket I use Poly-Fil, which is just like aquarium filter floss, but cheaper, found at craft stores or in the craft section of your local Mega-Lo-Mart. It's super cheap and easy to simply pull and replace the Poly-Fil every 3-7 days.

https://www.michaels.com/product/th...Y2SZj9R7Zdt4_5qV7a7IcNrjAcpI9yiUaAtqNEALw_wcB

 

[JumboShrimp]

I'd ditch it. I have tanks ranging from 20 gallon AIOs to two (2) 150 gallon tanks with sumps. I use those woven floss pieces, cut to size, then tossed. (My garage is filled with unused filter socks.) lol.

 

[JumboShrimp]

(I've heard it said that if you go the local 'fabric store' route, be certain not to buy something with flame retardant or other chemical treatment. I have avoided taking the chance.)

 

[Fish Fan]

(I've heard it said that if you go the local 'fabric store' route, be certain not to buy something with flame retardant or other chemical treatment. I have avoided taking the chance.)

Absolutely, but that stuff is well marked, and fairly expensive in comparison. Cheap Poly-Fil is 100% the same material as basic, polyester filter floss. It just costs a lot less because it doesn't have a fish on the bag :)

 

[nd6irish4]

I swap the socks out for media baskets

I'm starting up an IceCap 45G AIO; and I've been trying to research the same question discussed in here - how exactly to set up the prefilter chamber. Do you have multiple levels in your media basket? If so, what do you have on lower levels after the filter floss? Thanks!

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm starting up an IceCap 45G AIO; and I've been trying to research the same question discussed in here - how exactly to set up the prefilter chamber. Do you have multiple levels in your media basket? If so, what do you have on lower levels after the filter floss? Thanks!

Yes, I have three tiered media caddies and on the very top where the water comes in I use the Poly-Fil material I linked above, you could certainly use traditional aquarium floss or pads; that’s your mechanical filtration. In the middle I’d use any chemical media you may need, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is a good place to start. On the bottom I like to keep a little plastic bio media like bio balls. This isn’t so much for the “extra” biofitration; the rocks and sand takes care of that. Rather, I like to have some pre-cycled biomedia on hand in case I ever need to quickly start a hospital or QT tank. I think it’s a good idea for everyone to keep some cycled biomedia on hand for emergencies.

I hope that helps; good luck!

 

[nd6irish4]

Yes, I have three tiered media caddies and on the very top where the water comes in I use the Poly-Fil material I linked above, you could certainly use traditional aquarium floss or pads; that’s your mechanical filtration. In the middle I’d use any chemical media you may need, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is a good place to start. On the bottom I like to keep a little plastic bio media like bio balls. This isn’t so much for the “extra” biofitration; the rocks and sand takes care of that. Rather, I like to have some pre-cycled biomedia on hand in case I ever need to quickly start a hospital or QT tank. I think it’s a good idea for everyone to keep some cycled biomedia on hand for emergencies.

I hope that helps; good luck!

Thanks so much, that's a great help!

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks so much, that's a great help!

Anytime!

 

[RajM]

I would remove the floss and only run socks. But more socks to cycle between cleaning.
Media baskets is the way to go if you want to run floss.
You will need to tweak your setup to always have water somewhat falling into first chamber and not be level else it will have floating stuff on top.

 

[nd6irish4]

I would remove the floss and only run socks. But more socks to cycle between cleaning.
Media baskets is the way to go if you want to run floss.
You will need to tweak your setup to always have water somewhat falling into first chamber and not be level else it will have floating stuff on top.

Do you happen to have an IceCap AIO? I am noticing today, when we just really added sand / rocks / water, that with the filter socks the water isn’t really “falling” thru the sock and I’m seeing debris and scum floating in the first rear chamber. I did see somewhere that someone indicated the first baffle is too high in the IceCaps, but I think mine is somewhere around an inch lower than the display tank level. Not sure if this is appropriate or not.

 

[RajM]

I would remove the floss and only run socks. But more socks to cycle between cleaning.
Media baskets is the way to go if you want to run floss.
You will need to tweak your setup to always have water somewhat falling into first chamber and not be level else it will have floating stuff on top.

Do you happen to have an IceCap AIO? I am noticing today, when we just really added sand / rocks / water, that with the filter socks the water isn’t really “falling” thru the sock and I’m seeing debris and scum floating in the first rear chamber. I did see somewhere that someone indicated the first baffle is too high in the IceCaps, but I think mine is somewhere around an inch lower than the display tank level. Not sure if this is appropriate or not.

I have own Innovative Marine and Fuji Cube AIO.
Is the pump also on the highest setting?
If the water just stays above the sock then it’s not a good design

 

[Fish Fan]

Do you happen to have an IceCap AIO? I am noticing today, when we just really added sand / rocks / water, that with the filter socks the water isn’t really “falling” thru the sock and I’m seeing debris and scum floating in the first rear chamber. I did see somewhere that someone indicated the first baffle is too high in the IceCaps, but I think mine is somewhere around an inch lower than the display tank level. Not sure if this is appropriate or not.

I do not have an IceCap AIO, but in general you want the water to somewhat cascade from the first filter section, into the second, and then into the third (if you tank has three). You want the little bit of a cascade to help increase gas exchange, and to prevent a slick film of proteins building up on the surface of the water in the filter section.

There is a great video about this by Josh E. from World Wide Corals, but I can never find it.......

Try lowering the water level in the filter section, and if that doesn't do it, please post a pic/videos of what you're experiencing.