hair algea caused by sponge on return inlet?

[truck24000]

hello all again
well i have a question and i hope someone on here has a good answer....
on my return pump (magna 950) i have a sponge filter that is over the inlet, this sponge is 3" x 5" x 8"
would this be a possible cause to my hair algea problem?
iv noticed many a critters living in it and would it be better to just let it be unprotected?
all other perams are where they need to be (and i do check everything)
some test are twice weekly others once a week

[amcarrig]

How often are you cleaning the sponge filters?

[coral reefer]

You are going to have to clean the sponge frequently to rid the sponge of collected detritus etc. and to allow the pump to function effectively and efficiently!

[truck24000]

well i think i havent been doing to well on the cleaning lol
i think in the last 6 months i have cleaned it twice,

do i really need it on there in the first place?

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by truck24000

do i really need it on there in the first place?

Nope And if you don't clean it regularly, leaving it on there will do more harm than good.