Why do you use prefiltration.

[atoll]

Following on from my previous thread, no prefiltration no problem I got to thinking people may use it for different reasons. So I thought I would create a poll on what you believe is most important reason you use prefiltration if you do because not everybody does, if you choose other please explain.

 

[CoralB]

I use a prefilter going to my sump to keep the larger detritus material from going into the rest of sump and possibly back into the tank . I have rock in my sump and don’t need it clogged up with large particulate that could lead to higher nitrates as it breaks down . A prefilter avoids that and for me it makes sense

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I use it to limit the amount of build up in my sump chambers and to hopefully keep my water clearer of debris in the display.

 

[210 Reef Tank]

I use socks to keep my water clear and limit detritus from getting in my sump.

 

[shakacuz]

I use it to limit the amount of build up in my sump chambers and to hopefully keep my water clearer of debris in the display.

pretty much this

 

[tnw50cal]

pretty much this

Same here.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Pre-filter? Explain?! Lol
In my 7" media cup I keep bags of ceramic rings and bio type filter things.
My skimmer has a nylon net like women's leg stocking. Aka pantyhose. Does that count as my pre-filter? It's at the skimmer output so kinda an after filter. Lol!
D

 

[RichReef]

All of the above.

 

[atoll]

So far 36.7% don't use prefiltration. Maybe I should have said if you don't use it state why.

 

[WVNed]

I don't even know what it is.
The only thing that cleans my water is a skimmer though and I don't have a preskimmer.

 

[atoll]

I don't even know what it is.
The only thing that cleans my water is a skimmer though and I don't have a preskimmer.

Pre-filter not preskimmer.
Pre-filter = filter wool, sock, rollermat, foam. Designed to remove particular mater prior to other filtration and skimmer.

 

[WVNed]

I see
I only use post-filtration

 

[sixty_reefer]

I’m not using anything, just light, pump and heater occasionally run GAC keeping it simple and effective, letting the biological filter handle the filtration naturally.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Pre-filter = filter wool, sock, rollermat, foam. Designed to remove particular mater prior to other filtration and skimmer.

I'm still lost....

So if my filter contains foam and floss, is it a filter or pre-filter? Both? neither?

Is OP just asking who uses mechanical filtration?

 

[jhuntstl]

To those with no filter socks, floss, etc...how do you handle detritus buildup?

I run a lot of flow, even in the sump(no baffles). I like to keep it suspended, but it always finds somewhere to accumulate if the skimmer doesn't catch it.

Do you siphon it out or let it be?

 

[atoll]

I'm still lost....

So if my filter contains foam and floss, is it a filter or pre-filter? Both? neither?

Is OP just asking who uses mechanical filtration?

I gave examples in my reply of what prefiltration means. Am sorry your lost maybe somebody else could simplify it for you However, anything designed to remove particulate matter before entering other forms of filtration like biological, algae filtration or skimmer if they are used.

 

[sixty_reefer]

To those with no filter socks, floss, etc...how do you handle detritus buildup?

I run a lot of flow, even in the sump(no baffles). I like to keep it suspended, but it always finds somewhere to accumulate if the skimmer doesn't catch it.

Do you siphon it out or let it be?

Most just let it build up, it doesn’t affect the overall system, those detritus that build up in the sump over time don’t decompose and are just there similar to the ocean carbon storage.

 

[hart24601]

I went without for a while but the sump detritus buildup - well even DT detritus buildup, and visible particulate matter made me switch back to using mechanical filtration. While I didn’t find it “needed” I found it a quality of life improvement. I try every couple years to remove it as I hope the system has changed but always end up going back be it a few weeks or months later.

 

[nereefpat]

Most of us would call 'pre-filtration' mechanical filtration, I believe.

 

[The Farmer]

Crystal clear water and less cleaning the sump