Filter sock removal and alternative

[joshua1316]

Hi everyone,

So My tank is running with super low phosphate and nitrate, as i don't need to pull nutrients out of thank as my refugium is keeping them low i would like to remove the socks to allow less maintenance on the tank "one less thing to worry about". My question is what would i put in place of the socks? Sounds like a waterfall in my tank when they are removed and want to see what options i have.

 

[ingchr1]

Can you place a piece of Lifegard Aquamesh (or similar) over the opening? I have an AIO, but used the blue to cover the opening when I stopped running socks/floss. In my case, it's quieter than the socks/floss were. I only have to rinse it every so often.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Get the largest micron Mesh Filter Sock you can find. I've seen 800 micron socks. You want mesh because a one minute wash under the faucet will clean the sock. With the large mesh you'll get a long time between washes.

 

[exnisstech]

Can you extend your drain so it's below the water level? Or just leave the dirty socks overflowing if your not worried about raising nutrients.

 

[mboley]

Extend the exit point below water level with a pvc pipe and T- fitting on the end. I also trimmed the width of the T fitting. Then insert some inert plastic mesh inside the pvc pipe. That and the T fitting breaks up and disperces the water flow. The T fitting also keeps the mesh in place.