Sump Design Help - Mechanical filter between chambers

[CJ Monty]

My sump goes fuge->skimmer & carbon/gfo reactor -> return. I am having an issue with algae clogging up my reactor. I have put a pre filter on the reactor and it made little improvement.

I thought about the nuclear option of making a new sump putting the equipment 1st and then the fuge. But I like having the biggest fuge as possible. Also the crap will go into the DT instead of my equipment which is also not ideally.

I am trying to figure out if there is any diy solution for mechanically filtering between the 2 baffles.

My temporary solution for now is pictured below. Any help would be great!!!!

 

[JasonK84]

A member sent me a link to BRS video yesterday that showed them using some of the Matala filter mats as a barrier that water would flow through but keep the bigger particles from coming through. The media is 1.5" thick and they cut a slit in it to slip it onto the top of the baffle. This allowed the water to flow through at baffle height but the media rose higher keeping the algae where it needed to be.
Here is the link to my thread and the posted BRS video: hope this helps as it did me.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/has-anyone-used-the-matala-filter-foam.462309/

 

[Danj]

Just to be sure, the problem your having is macro algae (i.e. chaeto) clogging the reactor? Or are you growing algae on the walls inside the media reactor?

If loose chaeto is the issue then +1 on that BRS video. For what it's worth, my red Sea reefer - from the factory - includes a block of that stuff wedged in the last baffles before the return pumps - keeps bubbles and other bigger items out of the pump chamber.

 

[CJ Monty]

A member sent me a link to BRS video yesterday that showed them using some of the Matala filter mats as a barrier that water would flow through but keep the bigger particles from coming through. The media is 1.5" thick and they cut a slit in it to slip it onto the top of the baffle. This allowed the water to flow through at baffle height but the media rose higher keeping the algae where it needed to be.
Here is the link to my thread and the posted BRS video: hope this helps as it did me.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/has-anyone-used-the-matala-filter-foam.462309/

Thanks! I was literally just looking at that stuff. I like your idea! I am not crazy about the idea in the video as using it as a baffle because it means you have to remove the baffle to clean which could lead to the algae going everywhere.

I assume you can wash and reuse this stuff? They have four types extra coarse, coarse, medium and fine. Which would you recommend using? I was thinking medium as I would rather trap more and change a little more often. Per BRS "We highly suggest running either Aquamesh Coarse or Medium to keep the Fine pad from clogging too quickly." How often do you think you need to replace? Similar frequency as a filter sock?

 

[JasonK84]

Less often the courser the media I would think. Yesterday I ordered medium and fine as I plan on using it to catch most of the stuff before hitting my marinepur media and preventing it from clogging. After seeing this video I am debating getting some of the coarse (green) to use as a "fence" and turn my first chamber into a chaeto farm.

I would imagine they can be used for a very long time as you just shake stuff out and re insert.

 

[JasonK84]

Less often the courser the media I would think. Yesterday I ordered medium and fine as I plan on using it to catch most of the stuff before hitting my marinepur media and preventing it from clogging. After seeing this video I am debating getting some of the coarse (green) to use as a "fence" and turn my first chamber into a chaeto farm.

I would imagine they can be used for a very long time as you just shake stuff out and re insert.

But I figured I'd wait and see how the ones I already ordered work out and if I can use them and accomplish the same thing.

 

[CJ Monty]

Just to be sure, the problem your having is macro algae (i.e. chaeto) clogging the reactor? Or are you growing algae on the walls inside the media reactor?

If loose chaeto is the issue then +1 on that BRS video. For what it's worth, my red Sea reefer - from the factory - includes a block of that stuff wedged in the last baffles before the return pumps - keeps bubbles and other bigger items out of the pump chamber.

Actually I just think its algae and/or gunk. I put on a prefilter (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/maxi-jet-double-pack-prefilter.html) which caught the bigger stuff. Nothing is growing in the equipment chamber. I currently do not use a filter sock which I am sure is contributing. I have DIY plumbing and was using the felt drawstring and tying it to my plumping. This made it a pain to change and a pain to clean (could not find mesh draw string socks). This lead me to doing in less than I should which created a nitrate factory for sure. So I stopped. I was debating trying to get a sock holder and use the mesh ones but I think @JasonK84 may kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

[CJ Monty]

Less often the courser the media I would think. Yesterday I ordered medium and fine as I plan on using it to catch most of the stuff before hitting my marinepur media and preventing it from clogging. After seeing this video I am debating getting some of the coarse (green) to use as a "fence" and turn my first chamber into a chaeto farm.

I would imagine they can be used for a very long time as you just shake stuff out and re insert.

Do you plan on doing the "cut a slit and stick it on your baffle thing you suggested"? How do you plan on using the medium and fine in tandem? I was thinking you could glue the 2 together instead of slitting one and sticking that on the baffle.

 

[ca1ore]

Just make sure there is a path for the water flow in the event the mechanical media clogs.

 

[CJ Monty]

Just make sure there is a path for the water flow in the event the mechanical media clogs.

Thanks, I will not put the pad all the way to the top of the tank, so it can just flow over like as if it was a baffle.

 

[JasonK84]

Do you plan on doing the "cut a slit and stick it on your baffle thing you suggested"? How do you plan on using the medium and fine in tandem? I was thinking you could glue the 2 together instead of slitting one and sticking that on the baffle.

I was going to slit the coarser one and put it on the first piece of glass. Cut a piece to fill the first baffle chamber with the same coarsest and fill the second chamber of the baffle with the fine before going to the middle equipment section. The last set of baffles will house the 4-marinepure plates but may put some of the fine Matala as a fence there also.
Here is my 40 gallon sump:

 

[JasonK84]

I was going to slit the coarser one and put it on the first piece of glass. Cut a piece to fill the first baffle chamber with the same coarsest and fill the second chamber of the baffle with the fine before going to the middle equipment section. The last set of baffles will house the 4-marinepure plates but may put some of the fine Matala as a fence there also.
Here is my 40 gallon sump:

Also, my baffles are 1.5" slots so the media will fit right in them.

 

[CJ Monty]

Also, my baffles are 1.5" slots so the media will fit right in them.

Very nice! I assume the fuge is the left most in the pic. You plan on putting marine pure blocks in between the baffles?

 

[JasonK84]

Very nice! I assume the fuge is the left most in the pic. You plan on putting marine pure blocks in between the baffles?

Not the blocks but the 1" plates. They are 8x8x1" the 40 beeeder is 18" front to back so I'll slide 2 in each chamber and still have plenty of flow around them. Do you think this will cause an issue? Here is a link to my build thread.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/120-planet-aquarium-build.458000/

I'm getting the rest of what I need to put it together this week and plan on starting it up this weekend. My fish will love the extra room!

 

[JasonK84]

And yes on the refugium section. My original plan was to just fill that section with matrix but I like the refugium idea better.

Very nice! I assume the fuge is the left most in the pic. You plan on putting marine pure blocks in between the baffles?

 

[Michael Llabona]

I was going to slit the coarser one and put it on the first piece of glass. Cut a piece to fill the first baffle chamber with the same coarsest and fill the second chamber of the baffle with the fine before going to the middle equipment section. The last set of baffles will house the 4-marinepure plates but may put some of the fine Matala as a fence there also.
Here is my 40 gallon sump:

Sorry to go off topic, but what fitting did you use to plumb you Eflux pump?

 

[JasonK84]

Sorry to go off topic, but what fitting did you use to plumb you Eflux pump?

Not sure but I'll check when I get home in a few hours.

 

[JasonK84]

Not sure but I'll check when I get home in a few hours.

Never mind about waiting. I found it: @Michael Llabona

 

[Metasyntactic]

Thanks! I was literally just looking at that stuff. I like your idea! I am not crazy about the idea in the video as using it as a baffle because it means you have to remove the baffle to clean which could lead to the algae going everywhere.

I assume you can wash and reuse this stuff? They have four types extra coarse, coarse, medium and fine. Which would you recommend using? I was thinking medium as I would rather trap more and change a little more often. Per BRS "We highly suggest running either Aquamesh Coarse or Medium to keep the Fine pad from clogging too quickly." How often do you think you need to replace? Similar frequency as a filter sock?

Any type of open cell reticulated foam will work. You'll want something around 10-30 PPI if you're keeping out macro algae. Lower PPI is better because it will clog with bio waste slower but still catch your macro. When the media starts to foul, just pull it out and give it a good wash in the sink. I wash it out like once a month.

 

[Sonor]

I have been using aquamesh blue, medium, for over 3 years now as an algae and large particle collector at my baffle from fuge to return pump. I purchased it from BRS and it does a great job of keeping loose chaeto, and small critters ie. snails out of my return chamber. When it gets a little dirty i just take it out and scrub it with a nylon brush and it cleans right up. It just sits on top of my lower baffle panel.