Sock it to me!

You know it's the good stuff because it's on the "UP & UP"

Filter Socks are a convenient method of providing mechanical filtration. They are used in sump systems and are usually installed with some kind of holding mechanism (see: DIY Filter Sock Holder).

The filter socks are available in felt or mesh materials and are commonly sold for the reef hobby in 100 and 200 micron sizes. The smaller the micron size is, the finer particulate it will remove.

There's several benefits to using filter socks. They help remove small particles of detritus from the system, help polish the water, and can help keep your sump clean. They are easy to swap out, and can be reused.

Some of the cons to using filters are the cost (each sock can cost $4-10), they can trap small life such as Copepods, they may clog quickly, and when not changed frequently they can contribute to increased nitrates.

Illuminating the sump...

"Oh no's! I dropped something in my sump, and now I can't see it! Whatever will I do?!?!"

"Oh no's! Whatever will I do?"

Has this ever happened to you? You're fiddling around with a thumb screw or trying to reconnect some airline tubing to a venturi, and you drop a small part in your sump?

The space under your tank can be a dark and scary place. Items can get dropped, knocked over, or simply just not seen. Holding a flashlight takes a free hand out of the equation, and every hand is needed when working under your sump!

Don't let this happen to you! Put light where light is needed, but not intended to go. Sure, you can put shop lights or even small led lights, but these can cost 10's of dollars and require the use of AC current! Try a touch light today!

The Fulcrum 3 LED 3-Pack Tap Light comes with not one, not two, but THREE touch lights. These battery controlled lights are safer than regular more powerful lights, and are able to be mounted practically anywhere! Change your filter sock, clean your skimmer collection cup in complete ease and simplicity. The extra lighting will make any chore a simple breeze.

Attached easily with double sided tape.

Don't fall victim to the millions of other lighting options avaialble! Use your free hand to change that filter sock, snap your fingers to the beat, or simply wave at your fish!! Purchase your Fulcrum 3 LED 3-Pack Tap Lights today! (batteries not included).

"With my hand now free, I can snap my fingers to the beat..."

*Disclaimer: The Fulcrum lights and linked vendor webpage are not affiliated with nor indorse Chromis' Reef in any way shape or form. This is not a paid advertisement or endorsement. While this blog post is loaded with satire, I really did purchase these lights and install them in my sump stand. The extra light is extremely beneficial, and I feel safe not worrying about extra plugs or having to mount a light fixture in the sump. Until next time...

My DIY Sump

I installed my DIY 20 gallon long sump. Using a design from RemsReef.com as inspiration, I decided to try my hand at my first DIY (do it yourself) sump / glass project. My final product has some areas of opportunity, but so far, so good. There were no leaks from the baffles or aquarium, and the sump is doing its job well. I won't post detailed information on how I built it; if you want to see a professional make a DIY sump, I suggest www.RemsReef.com! He did a great job with his sump, and it came out looking very clean.

Anyways, here's my sump in action. I am very pleased that there is no annoying waterfall noise. I also have a large skimmer chamber to hold an internal protein skimmer down the road. The skimmer chamber is followed by 3 glass baffles that act as a bubble trap, hopefully reducing (possibly eliminating) micro bubbles from entering the display tank. Check out the picture below!