Filter Sock Bubbling Over

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

Hello, I am new to the forum and new to reefing. I just set my first tank up a few days ago and I am currently cycling it. I am having an issue though where my filter sock is bubbling over. I am not sure how to fix it or what it causing it. I did notice the air hole at the top of my over flow pipe sounds like it’s sucking air sometimes, so not sure if that impacts it? Any advice is appreciated. Also, this sock has not been washed so it could not be soap or any other contaminate. Thanks!

trio91 · Oct 30, 2018

Its looks dirty and could be clogged. How far down is that pipe going into the sock?

Fishfinder · Oct 30, 2018

Change that sock!

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

It’s only been in there 2 days so I wasn’t sure if that was the issue or not. Amazon failed me so my extra socks won’t be here till tomorrow.

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

trio91 said:
Its looks dirty and could be clogged. How far down is that pipe going into the sock?

Pipe doesn’t go past the sock rim

Ruben's Reef · Oct 30, 2018

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! Like @Fishfinder said, you need to change or clean that filter sock and basically if you're cycling you don't need it at this time.

Fishfinder · Oct 30, 2018

Sjhoppes said:
Pipe doesn’t go past the sock rim

Try extending the pipe down to water level inside the sock. It may be causing the bubbling from agitation in the water

Ruben's Reef · Oct 30, 2018

Also, I use now a filter cup with Filter Fil from Wal-Mart and save me time and money. Just tossed the dirty poly fil and replace with a new one every two or three days.

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

Thanks for all the responses and information! I’ll pull the sock out when I get home from work since the tank is just cycling. The LFS had just said it would catch all the stuff coming off the live rock so I went ahead and used it. Do you guys use the cap of bleach in the washer method for cleaning?

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

Fishfinder said:
Try extending the pipe down to water level inside the sock. It may be causing the bubbling from agitation in the water

How would I change the sock then? Would I have to put a release on the pipe to change it?

trio91 · Oct 30, 2018

Just pull the whole thing out, and replace new. It should slide out

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

trio91 said:
Just pull the whole thing out, and replace new. It should slide out

I will have to verify, but I am pretty sure the person I bought it off has it glued. You’re talking about just removing that whole pipe section to change the sock right?

Captain Quint · Oct 30, 2018

For now, you can just rinse out really good. Turn it inside out and do the same. It should help.

You can also line it with filter floss then toss it out and still use the sock.

andrewkw · Oct 30, 2018

Sjhoppes said:
Thanks for all the responses and information! I’ll pull the sock out when I get home from work since the tank is just cycling. The LFS had just said it would catch all the stuff coming off the live rock so I went ahead and used it. Do you guys use the cap of bleach in the washer method for cleaning?

I use more then a cap but you could soak it in 100% bleach as long as you wait until they are 100% dry to put back. I often see a lot of people complaining about having to clean filter socks but they are imo the easiest thing out of everything that needs to be cleaned on a reef tank. I collect a few in a bucket throw them in the wash with a bit of bleach and then air dry for a few days - They already come out basically dry from my washing machine this is just to be sure all bleach is evaporated.

Captain Quint · Oct 30, 2018

andrewkw said:
I use more then a cap but you could soak it in 100% bleach as long as you wait until they are 100% dry to put back. I often see a lot of people complaining about having to clean filter socks but they are imo the easiest thing out of everything that needs to be cleaned on a reef tank. I collect a few in a bucket throw them in the wash with a bit of bleach and then air dry for a few days - They already come out basically dry from my washing machine this is just to be sure all bleach is evaporated.

I know you are 100% correct about bleaching. I just have a difficult time bleaching purigen or socks. I know it's all just in my head. I'm just weird about it. Anyone else weird like me on the bleach washes?

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

andrewkw said:
I use more then a cap but you could soak it in 100% bleach as long as you wait until they are 100% dry to put back. I often see a lot of people complaining about having to clean filter socks but they are imo the easiest thing out of everything that needs to be cleaned on a reef tank. I collect a few in a bucket throw them in the wash with a bit of bleach and then air dry for a few days - They already come out basically dry from my washing machine this is just to be sure all bleach is evaporated.

I read somewhere that you should run an empty cycle on the washer to get all the residue soap out. Have you had any problems with that?

Captain Quint · Oct 30, 2018

My humble apologies. I didn't notice you are new to the forum.

Greeting and welcome aboard. Glad to have you and your setup looks great Sjhoppes.

declanisadog · Oct 30, 2018

I've always bleached my socks(when I use them). Never had any issues.

Sjhoppes · Oct 30, 2018

Captain Quint said:
My humble apologies. I didn't notice you are new to the forum.

Greeting and welcome aboard. Glad to have you and your setup looks great Sjhoppes.

Thanks! I’ll post some more. I have been lurking here reading for a while along with some books at home. Finally pulled the trigger on a used setup the other weekend.