All In One "Sump" Question

[mbgrubb15]

Attached is a very crappy drawing of my "sump" in my All In One Ecoexotic 25g tank.

For some reason the middle chamber gets flooded sometimes. water collects over the blue filter pad. As soon as i take off the filter pad air bubbles come up and the water drains through no problem. Then it wont get blocked up for a few days.

I thought there might be a blockage with the rocks below - however i moved them around and there is no blockage. and once i lift the filter pad water flows through fine.

The blue filter pad sits on a plastic base. the plastic base has holes in it.

Is it something to do with air getting to the middle chamber? that would explain the air bubbles coming up when i remove the blue filter pad.

any advice would help.

thanks

 

[Reef Fixations]

If I'm understanding you correctly, your blue filter pad is getting clogged? If it gets clogged then yes, it will slow down your flow thru the pad and can overflow. Best thing to do is to periodically rinse your blue filter pad in your "dirty water change" water and put it back. It is usually best not to rinse it in tap or ro/di water as not to kill all of the beneficial bacteria in it especially with a nano.

 

[mbgrubb15]

ive actually have just been changing the pad or letting the water through periodically. its weird. i think its clogged but once i take it, let water through and put it back in. its fine for a few days.

 

[masterswimmer]

It's doing exactly what it is designed to do. The reason it flows smoothly for a few days is because it takes that amount of time for detritus to collect and clog the pores. When you rinse it (in water change water of course) you're clearing the clogs and permitting it to flow again.

FYI, if this is in a reef tank, I would remove that filter pad completely. Seeing as it is above the water line it is a perfect breeding ground for excessive nitrates.

Russ

 

[mbgrubb15]

It's doing exactly what it is designed to do. The reason it flows smoothly for a few days is because it takes that amount of time for detritus to collect and clog the pores. When you rinse it (in water change water of course) you're clearing the clogs and permitting it to flow again.

FYI, if this is in a reef tank, I would remove that filter pad completely. Seeing as it is above the water line it is a perfect breeding ground for excessive nitrates.

Russ

Hey Russ, so you would suggest just not using the blue filter pad. and just having the live rock and skimmer to clean the water?

 

[masterswimmer]

Hey Russ, so you would suggest just not using the blue filter pad. and just having the live rock and skimmer to clean the water?

Correct.....that's all 99.99% of us use. Running carbon and GFO is beneficial as well.

Russ

 

[mbgrubb15]

Correct.....that's all 99.99% of us use. Running carbon and GFO is beneficial as well.

Russ

Great. i will try that.

thanks

 

[dherrera83]

Some people also add filter floss to that chamber.