replacing filter socks with live rock

[$pikes_{air]

i posted this earlier under filtration but probably should have posted it here instead. so here is my idea, instead of using filter socks i am thinking about making an acrylic tower box that i would fill with rubble from top to bottom. what do you guys think as far as catching all the nasty stuff in the water? here is the rough scetch

 

[$pikes_{air]

the box would sit in my sump where my filter socks are now and my drain would empty in through the top. the water would come out the small holes drilled all around the bottom portion

 

[dallasg]

how would you clean it? take out all the rubble and throw it away?

rather stick with filter socks, easier and efficient

 

[$pikes_{air]

someone earlier mentions rinsing them...i also thought about adding some emerald crabs to the rubble to help with waste control.

 

[dallasg]

in my view it would aid with aeration, but for trapping detritus etc, i dont think it would be worth it.
why are you looking at changing the filter sock?

 

[$pikes_{air]

just being kind of lazy; changing them weekly and washing them. also thought this idea would be pretty cool

 

[dallasg]

i know the feeling, i make my own so i can leave them soaking till i get round to cleaning them...
cheap to make, i use 10 micron felt, made 6 so i can just switch around etc

 

[$pikes_{air]

i have about 10 on stand by always, as wash them when im down to the last one. i just thought i would run this idea through some different minds and see whta you guys thought

 

[dallasg]

check this idea
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do...r-those-us-who-hate-washing-filter-socks.html

 

[$pikes_{air]

i saw that before and thought it was a pretty cool idea as well. was also considering incorporating some sort of heavy sponge at the bottom of the tower that would filter debris. i could have a grated areas wehre the spong would sit and i could take it out when it gets dirty and just rinse that off

 

[Eckolancer]

My friend has something like this setup in his tank right now. First section of sump is rubble with chaeto on top. Then goes to skimmer then to return. He never cleans the rock in 6 years it's been up and his tank looks great.

 

[Eckolancer]

Saw your other post about adding crabs in there. He did add a brittle star and like 10 crabs and 10 snails the type that live in the sand.

 

[$pikes_{air]

He doesn't have any type of filter media besides the rock? I'd there a picture you can send

 

[vlangel]

My first chamber is rubble rock and I never change it. I intentionally don't have crabs or anything in there (although its full of micro starfish) because it is full of pods that I want to reproduce. The drain dumps in that chamber with gusto (since I have a mag 9.5 return pump and my tank is only a 36g) so I don't get a lot of detritus there. I just have a filter pad in my 3rd chamber where the return pump is to catch large debris and its a breeze to change. My nitrates are 0 so it works for me.

 

[Eckolancer]

Next time im over there I will grab a pic

 

[$pikes_{air]

My drain beats down in my sump. But I may consider just adding ruble to my sump chamber with a sponge. Avoid spending more money

 

[SantaMonica]

Also you could just have no filter, and let the particles circulate back around to feed the corals.

 

[ReeferJoe]

I also have a section where I have cheatos and rock rubbles but the rocks are covered with hair algae and there are a lot of detritus trapped at the bottom. Is the good? I mean the idea is to remove the detritus from the tank...right. I'm thinking about getting rid of all the rocks and just keep the cheatos and add a sock filter instead

 

[SantaMonica]

I'd say it's not good if you don't have animals eating there. However if animals can live there and break it up, the particles will circulate back around to feed your corals.