Filter Roller vs Filter Sock: Which One Rules Your Reef Aquarium?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Filter Roller versus Filter Sock: Which One Rules Your Reef Aquarium?

When it comes to mechanical filtration, there are two popular options: filter rollers and filter socks. We want to know which one you swear by for maintaining optimal water quality in your reef aquarium. Are you a fan of the convenience and efficiency of a filter roller, with its automated roll and discard mechanism? Or do you prefer the classic reliability and versatility of a filter sock, allowing you to customize filtration media?

Share your preference, along with the reasons behind your choice!

 

[Geebs19]

Right now I am just not running anything but a skimmer 12 hours a day. I am too lazy with socks to change them out. For me the rollers are too expensive and having to buy new rolls when it runs out just seems like an added expense. When I do use socks, I just wash them.

 

[A Young Reefer]

Currently run none, however I would like a roller Mat that would fit my sump (reefer 250) and isn’t too expensive.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I REALLY need a roller for my 120 DT, but I missed the sale and I cannot get myself to pay full price.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Basket with floss.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

It’s so easy to vacuum (what little there is)out the sump occasionally. Everything is perfectly stable without socks or mats. A good skimmer, monthly vacuuming, consistent water changes equals a beautiful reef for all (me) to enjoy!

 

[MichaelReefer]

Filter Roller hands down. Will NEVER go back to socks or cups. Replace the roll every 2-3 months and never touch it again.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Basket with floss.

I tried that, I was so excited, the inlet was on a small cube sump was in the back, where the filter sock was a PITB to get to, so I bought the cup from Marine Depot, filled it filter floss, some carbon etc, put it in it seemed to fit so well, the cup got heavy after being in there for a week and it fell through to the bottom what a mess, no more filter cup, near impossible to get it back out.

 

[Miami Reef]

Socks! Socks! Socks!

 

[paragrouper]

Floss in the basket for me

 

[iamacat]

Been rollin’ for 2.5 years and will never look back. I appreciate the stability and consistency of the nutrient export. Best of all is the months of not worrying about it

 

[LeannaBanana]

I'm running socks or a sock/basket with floss combo on all of my tanks right now. I'd consider a reefmat for the 350, but if it ain't broke . . .

 

[Rmckoy]

Filter Roller versus Filter Sock: Which One Rules Your Reef Aquarium?

When it comes to mechanical filtration, there are two popular options: filter rollers and filter socks. We want to know which one you swear by for maintaining optimal water quality in your reef aquarium. Are you a fan of the convenience and efficiency of a filter roller, with its automated roll and discard mechanism? Or do you prefer the classic reliability and versatility of a filter sock, allowing you to customize filtration media?

Share your preference, along with the reasons behind your choice!

I have a flat tray for the first section of my sump and have always used filter floss .
I buy it as a huge roll and cut it to size

 

[PR_nano]

Floss for me, thinking about a roller but already have an oversized skimmer for the upgrade so no sure it would be ideal we shall see.

 

[dadnjesse]

The only time I use filter sock media is when I'm blowing off my rocks.

 

[Baka Mop]

Rollermat all day. It's the main reason I bought a Red Sea tank.

 

[Derrick0580]

For those of you running a roller, how many rolls did you go through before the rolls started lasting a few months? I just changed my first roll today on my fiji arf20 roller and it has been roughly 5 weeks.

 

[Slocke]

Neither!
Au natural for me! Cheato and caulerpa

 

[ScubaFish802]

Filter roller has been great for me. I get a message on my phone a week before it needs to be changed then I forget about it for another month.

 

[GARRIGA]

Rather go contrarian and just capture and process the detritus. Old school refugium (we didn't call them refugiums) or scrubber solves the decomposition as does carbon dosing. I also believe there's value to that detritus that might solve issues like dinos or cyano or who knows what because going 50s style clinical not my goal. This way there's less contraptions to find space or maintain. Rather spend bulk of my time enjoying my living art than being a slave to it's up keep plus how many times do we complain about our nutrients bottoming out and having to add that back? Seems silly to sanitize something as best possible to then later need a way to get it dirty again vs letting nature do what it's done since cyano first appeared. KISS