Help answer question about filters??

[Lynn]

I keep a sponge in front of my mag 18 return pump (sits in sump) Once in a while it gets sucked in to much and slows the flow down. It also has to be cleaned every 3 days or so. My sump is also my refugium, does this sponge trap all the little bugs? Should I not have the sponge in front? really what purpose does it serve?? thanks

 

[Entacmaea]

Hi Lynn, you could take the sponge off with no ill effects. Most people agree that they trap nutrients, and are basically a pain to clean. However, to guard against your pump ingesting something, it might be a good idea to put some kind of strainer, or screen on the intake. I am not familiar with the mag 18, but it has a 3/4 inch intake, if for which you could buy a "threaded bulkhead strainer(screen)". This would serve the same purpose as your sponge without the maintenance or hazard- letting the smaller particles that do not effect the pump pass through, and preventing larger items that would harm the pump, (or be harmed by it!) from entering the intake.

Hope this helps!

Peter

 

[Anonymous]

I just took my sponge out Lynn.

 

[danmhippo]

Lynn, my mag does not come with the hard plastic intake screen as stated above. Rio has it, sedra has it, but I don't think my mag comes with it. If yours does, use it instead of the sponge. The purpose is not to let "hard to chop" items entering the pump. "Hard to chop" things includes strands of macro algae, tube worms, and fish/shrimp longer then an inch. It's PTA to disassemble the pump housing to remove them. If you don't have the hard plastic intake screen with your Mag, you can build one using windows screens wrapped outside of egg-crate boxes as a replacement. I am pretty sure there are other alternative you can think of that do the same thing.

 

[Entacmaea]

Hi again Lynn, as I said you should be able to order a threaded bulkhead strainer that would most likely screw right on. You can test the threads on the intake with any standard pvc male 3/4 inch threaded fitting- if this works, a bulkhead strainer will work. These are really cheap, like $5-7 and much better than having to build something...

Good luck!

Peter

 

[Lynn]

Any idea where I'd order one from? I bought mine here locally at a plant shop. Also I guess I should have one on my skimmer pump too , right??

 

[Entacmaea]

Here ya go, try this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... CatId=4082

and yes, it wouldn't hurt to have one on your skimmer intake as well. I was even high on my price estimate, it will cost you a whopping $2.49!

 

[Lynn]

Thanks So Much!!!! appreciate it