Filter Socks

[Christopher Corbett]

I'm new to reef aquarium maintenance. I inherited a lot of reef aquariums. I know growing up all of the tanks had protein skimmers but now the only filtration is 1 filter sock that gets changed once a week. Should there be more filtration than that. Aside from that everything is stable and appears to be thriving.

 

[CuzzA]

Most tanks will have a few different forms of filtration. Some sort of mechanical filtration like a filter bag. These should be changed out every other day depending on bio load. A skimmer is very much still a staple filtration technique. Not only for the dissolved waste exportation, but the gas exchange and aeration. From there many will add reactors to hold media like carbon to remove toxins and yellow water, GFO to remove phosphates or Bio Pellets to feed bacteria which eat nitrates and then are removed by the skimmer. This is also accomplished by dosing a carbon source like vinegar. UV sterilizers are not a form of filtration, but are commonly used to keep cyano, dinos and bacteria blooms from occurring. Finally, the most important filtration is quality live rock. That is going to be the work horse of any system to complete the nitrification cycle. There are also other forms of nutrient export like refugiums to grow macro algae and chaeto or algae turf scrubbers to grow algae on mesh for removal. There are also some other forms of filtration but are less common. As with anything, they all have their pros and potential cons. Nevertheless, I think I gave you enough keywords to investigate what combination you think is best for the biotype you are trying to achieve.

Also, I'll add it's essential to start with clean filtered water for water changes and topping off freshwater for replacing evaporation. So you'll want to use RO/DI water. Whether buying it or making it yourself.

 

[Christopher Corbett]

I think I asked the wrong question. We have established reef tanks that only have a filter bag/sock for filtration. Should I be worried about that? Or if everything in the tank is happy then just keep trucking on?

 

[Hemmdog]

I think I asked the wrong question. We have established reef tanks that only have a filter bag/sock for filtration. Should I be worried about that? Or if everything in the tank is happy then just keep trucking on?

Things looking happy is a relative term, let’s see some pics and get your water parameters.

 

[CuzzA]

I think I asked the wrong question. We have established reef tanks that only have a filter bag/sock for filtration. Should I be worried about that? Or if everything in the tank is happy then just keep trucking on?

There is no constant in our closed systems. Every system is different and many people have different biotypes. A high end SPS reef is going to require a different setup than a NPS reef. This all plays in the decision as to how to address filtration. The bottom line is our number one job as hobbyists is to manage the systems water to maintain it for the biotype we want to keep.

You're going to need to be more forthcoming with detailed information about your systems if you want more specific responses.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I think I asked the wrong question. We have established reef tanks that only have a filter bag/sock for filtration. Should I be worried about that? Or if everything in the tank is happy then just keep trucking on?

If things look good, keep going then. In the future you may definitely want to look into something more like a protein skimmer but if it works for now, I think you are good to go.

 

[Christopher Corbett]

Calcium is 400 and alkalinity is 2.5. Those are the only things I test for, should I be testing for more? I do magnesium every now and then. Sorry for the crappy picture, they were just fed.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Calcium is 400 and alkalinity is 2.5. Those are the only things I test for, should I be testing for more? I do magnesium every now and then. Sorry for the crappy picture, they were just fed.

Your alk is really only 2.5? That's low. Most keep theirs around like 7 or higher. Tank does look good though. I would try to increase that alk, just go at it slowly so you don't suddenly shock everything in the tank.

 

[Christopher Corbett]

Your alk is really only 2.5? That's low. Most keep theirs around like 7 or higher. Tank does look good though. I would try to increase that alk, just go at it slowly so you don't suddenly shock everything in the tank.

Sorry, no the Alk is 8, its to early in the morning. Should I be testing for anything else? Like I said I have inherited these tanks. I know the routine to keep the aquariums alive but don't know exactly what I'm doing. For example I have another aquarium which the alkalinity hovers right at 16 which I know is too high but I do not know how to get it down. Even with water changes. There is a lot of green hairy looking algae/Moss.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Sorry, no the Alk is 8, its to early in the morning. Should I be testing for anything else? Like I said I have inherited these tanks. I know the routine to keep the aquariums alive but don't know exactly what I'm doing. For example I have another aquarium which the alkalinity hovers right at 16 which I know is too high but I do not know how to get it down. Even with water changes. There is a lot of green hairy looking algae/Moss.

That makes more sense lol. Ca and alk are big for corals, you could every once in a while keep an eye on PH too but things seem happy. Are you using Ro water at least for the tank that has a alk of 16? Before I switched to ro water I found out my tap water had an alk of 11 or 12, then adding the salt to it rose it to above 20 alk total. Explained why I never got the alk down doing water changes. Might be worth using the alk test on your freshwater for the high alk tank. Could give you some insight to what is happening there.

 

[Christopher Corbett]

That makes more sense lol. Ca and alk are big for corals, you could every once in a while keep an eye on PH too but things seem happy. Are you using Ro water at least for the tank that has a alk of 16? Before I switched to ro water I found out my tap water had an alk of 11 or 12, then adding the salt to it rose it to above 20 alk total. Explained why I never got the alk down doing water changes. Might be worth using the alk test on your freshwater for the high alk tank. Could give you some insight to what is happening there.

I use RO water made from well water on all saltwater tanks no exceptions. But I have not tested the Alk on just the RO water, I will do so. I don't suspect that being the culprit because I done have this issue on any of the other tanks, but I will check it regardless.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I use RO water made from well water on all saltwater tanks no exceptions. But I have not tested the Alk on just the RO water, I will do so. I don't suspect that being the culprit because I done have this issue on any of the other tanks, but I will check it regardless.

Very interesting then.... I wonder why one tank is much higher then the other.I hope someone else maybe a little more experienced with this type of issue can chime in too.

 

[Passedyouby]

I'm new to reef aquarium maintenance. I inherited a lot of reef aquariums. I know growing up all of the tanks had protein skimmers but now the only filtration is 1 filter sock that gets changed once a week. Should there be more filtration than that. Aside from that everything is stable and appears to be thriving.

Dont forget- skimmers, automated filter socks, more regularly swapping out socks, etc doesn't have to be done to make your corals happier, but instead can simply reduce your frequency of water changes and can protect you from high nitrates etc sneaking up on you! :) sometimes though less is more. Up to you! Personally I like seeing all the crud my rollermat and skimmer remove from the tank :)