to sponge or not-to-sponge

[dclegern]

when using a skimmer in the sump......how many of ya'll do or do not use a sponge as a filter/particle trap.

especially in the overflow box. is the sponge section necessary?

[Gseclipse02]

the filter floss? is that what your talking about ?

[rabadanmarco]

when i use the sponge on my seaclone skimmer it doesn't skim as well...when i used the sponge in the overflow my filter pad needs less frequent replacing(saves on money). but the sponge needs regular cleaning ....i clean it with tap, then a final thorough rinse off with RO

[Europhyllia]

no sponge for me. I don't clean stuff like that often enough

[wesheltonj]

+ for Sponge

[dclegern]

sorry........ I meant, I've got sponge filters on my overflow box....leading to my sump, where my skimmer is..... thus passing through a crypt-rubble refugium..... to another sponge filter/bag of carbon section......then the return!!!!

Question should have been..... are all the filters needed if the skimmer is always on?

[rabadanmarco]

why not...it will filter out larger debris

[Europhyllia]

I would look at it as different kinds of filtration. the sponge filter collects the larger debris. This is good as long as you clean it out every few days. Not so good if you don't regularly clean it.
The skimmer takes care of dissolved stuff (smaller than the sponge would trap)

[kkiel02]

I have a sponge on my return pump. I clean it weekly. I used to have a large sponge in the bubble trap that came with the sump but that was a pain to clean as it wouldnt fit in my sink very well.