Could filter socks be bringing unwanted nutrients into our tanks?

[Crabs McJones]

I find it hard to see where you are putting your filter socks. I'm not seeing the water flow clearly here

I believe this is how the flow goes through the auqeons crabs can correct me if I'm wrong

This is correct. The water comes in the pipe into the bubble trap tube, then flows over into the filter socks, and then to the rest of the sump.

Yes that would be noisy lol. without socks. So why dont you use something that will still 'wick the water' like a filter sock - but with larger holes that will not need to be rinsed as much. Secondly, what is the reason you want to get rid of filter socks.

Part of the reason I want to remove socks is I think it'll help my refugium more, plus the concern of this whole thread, if the socks are bringing unwanted nutrients into the tank from being washed with tap water

 

[Jeepguy242]

If the pipe comes out of that use a couple of elbows and direct it through one of the filter sock holes instead of the bubble trap pipe

 

[jsker]

Last picture

 

[Crabs McJones]

If the pipe comes out of that use a couple of elbows and direct it through one of the filter sock holes instead of the bubble trap pipe

Wouldn't that create a bunch of noise and splash? that was the main reason I haven't removed the socks yet

 

[JoshH]

Wouldn't that create a bunch of noise and splash? that was the main reason I haven't removed the socks yet

It's a less invasive way of doing what I had suggested and as long as the pipe ends below your water level in the sump but not too far it will eliminate any noise you have

 

[HB AL]

I don't think the amounts if any of potential contaminants would be high enough to even worry about. I guess if your really concerned you could wash and dry your socks as you normally would and then put one in a small container filled with tank water saturate it squeeze it a few times then test the water for copper, etc.

 

[count krunk]

@crabs_mcjones If you don't want to use socks (I h8 them personally), I would modify the water delivery to your sump as others have suggested. Use pvc to redirect it down through the holes where the socks go with a pipe going all the way down to the water. That will have very minimal splashing and should be quiet as well. If the rest of the sump could handle the bubbles I would simply cut the bottom of the tube that heads down into the chamber then comes back up. Just be sure to cut it below the water line by an inch at least.

 

[jsker]

I do think washing filter socks is not good for the system, with the residue of detergent. Also the sock is really not ever clean and tend to clog faster of the first use. As far as extra nutrients, yes if you leave to sock in to long your nitrates and phosphate will climb a little, but not that much.

Back when I was trying to figure out my high phosphates and nitrate combined with cyano outbreaks and then diatoms is was playing around with filter sock and not running them and running them. I really did not see a difference in nutrient levels with the sock were in or out.

The key to controlling my nutrients was running a good GFO reactor and running a seeded filter media.

Now I have to be careful not to run to much or my nutrient levels will go down to zero and I still feed heavy.

 

[paphater]

I'd gladly ditch the socks but I get a ton of bubbles that make it to the return pump. :mad:

 

[jsker]

I change out my filter socks twice a week. Sunday and Wednesday. And I do 6 gallon water changes every sunday (total water volume is between 40 and 50 gallons) And I wash the socks right away, and let them air dry before reusing them. I'm seriously considering finding a way to go sockless.
This is my sump, any ideas on how I can modify it to not have socks but not splash and make all kinds of noise?

One way to do it is to cut the acrylic clear down tube off at the bottom and extend the PVC down under the water line and then there would not be the splashing

 

[Jeepguy242]

As far as bubbles go I use a 90 on the end of my downpipe that is just barely submerged it keeps all the bubbles close to the water surface.

You can turn the 90 in a direction opposite the pump to help also

 

[John3]

I machine wash my filter socks too. I’ve noticed that if I put in a new sock that is dry my skimmer goes nuts and wants to fill the cup really fast. If I rinse the sock so it’s wet then the skimmer is fine. I certainly feel like something gets on the socks in the washing machine. I’ve even run them through 3 times in a row to really give them a rinse but it doesn’t help the skimmer issue.

 

[cccharliecc]

I never really thought of reusing my filter socks. I throw them out and put new ones.
I buy them on eBay - 5 for $22

It would be nice to save the money and wash them, but I tried rinsing them by hand once and it was a pain so I threw them out.

 

[MnFish1]

Why do people use the washing machine to wash something in an aquarium. The risk of soap or something else getting on/in them is so high? Rinsing them with a high pressure water source works fine for me - no soap, bleach, etc

 

[themcfreak]

I never really thought of reusing my filter socks. I throw them out and put new ones.
I buy them on eBay - 5 for $22

It would be nice to save the money and wash them, but I tried rinsing them by hand once and it was a pain so I threw them out.

How often do you change them?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Why do people use the washing machine to wash something in an aquarium. The risk of soap or something else getting on/in them is so high? Rinsing them with a high pressure water source works fine for me - no soap, bleach, etc

What I used to do was use the hose outside. It has one of those pressure nozzles on the end to give it some kick. Only problem is I live in wisconsin so right now that's a no go lol. And the sprayer nozzle on my sink doesn't have nearly enough pressure to be able to effectively clean off anything.

 

[Midrats]

I get some noise and splashing if I go without. The solution for me was a filter cup. Noise and splashing eliminated and if I want to throw in some floss and carbon or whatever I can. Most of the time the cup is empty.

 

[cracker]

I have been using the washer to clean my socks. I run a quick cycle to hopefully rinse detergent residue, turn the socks inside out & wash with a little bleach. then air dry out in the sun. I would need to work on my sewing machine skills to make my own. I do have one just never broke it out.

 

[paphater]

Why do people use the washing machine to wash something in an aquarium. The risk of soap or something else getting on/in them is so high? Rinsing them with a high pressure water source works fine for me - no soap, bleach, etc

For 9 months out of the year I use the hose for high pressure blasting outside. The winter is a no go though and I have to use the washing machine. I add an extra rinse and wash them twice and I haven't seen any negative side effects yet.

 

[HB AL]

I just hose them off with the garden hose and let em air dry.