Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Barr
As far as sumps go, I think many folks use this idea with open cell sponge.
I have foam blocks in all my sumps. Like many, I've not noted any filter differences between slow and high flow rates for some rather obvious reasoning.
You want about 30-60 open cells per square inch.
As the foam gets clogged with mulm/detritus, the flow rates slow down in most areas and you get some pocketing / uneven flow. The sites of low flow yield the slower flows that are better at filtration.
The issues and idea here are very old and it sounds a lot like a new name and an old idea.
Regards,
Tom Barr
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I guess I'm a little slow on the uptake, lol. Since I'm not sure what the obvious reason is. I would guess you mean since the water must pass through the media. However, like you said it will follow the path of least resistance. Not sure if that's what you even meant.
I had read that the idea for the Mattenfilter has been around for years and the principles it uses were not new at that time either. I guess my idea for discussing it revolves more around optimizing whatever it is that we choose to use.
For example, a sponge filter may work better with an airstone than a powerhead, but that would just be a guess on my part. Many will say that powerheads work great on them. Without evidence it's hard to decipher. Many things work for many people, but without setting some parameters it will be hit and miss.