Filter Sock Help

[DontMakeNoSense]

Ok this is really starting to **** me off. Iv changed my filter socks twice this week. It keeps bubbling over everyday and don't know what to do to fix it. Any ideas? I'm at the point where I'm not going to run it at all.

 

[josh4107]

Probably time to get more filter socks. How long have you used this one? How large is your tank? I run a 4x8 inch sock on my 33 gallon and have to change it every 2-4 days depending on how old the sock is. To clean mine I run them in the washer with a little bleach and then a rinse cycle several times then rinse in the sink till bleach smell is gone. Regardless though the socks need to be changed after so much use or if you notice they overflow very quickly

 

[josh4107]

It's much easier if you have a bunch if filter socks so you don't have to reuse them as often thus they stay in usable condition longer.

 

[Mike J.]

Soak them in bleach water, 1/2 cup per gallon, for at least 4 hours, then rinse and dry. Should act brand new after that.

 

[DontMakeNoSense]

I just put it in today. It's a 300 micron. Thing is its not even dirty. Is there a reason to run a sock?

 

[Squishie89]

Socks capture a lot of gunk that could otherwise end up in your sump (you do not want to see what my sumo looks like =X) It can also make your water look clearer, because well, it is, as the sock captures A LOT of stuff. Do you have to run it? No, I currently don't use a sock as I don't mind the micro particles in the water, but I do hate all the detritus in my sump.

 

[dnov99]

I just put it in today. It's a 300 micron. Thing is its not even dirty. Is there a reason to run a sock?

This is your problem. 300 micron is going to clog immediately. You need to go with a lower micron rated sock.

 

[DontMakeNoSense]

What micron should I use then.

 

[dadof4]

200 micron is what I use on mine when I even use one.

 

[jedimasterben]

This is your problem. 300 micron is going to clog immediately. You need to go with a lower micron rated sock.

I have three 1 micron (yes, a single micron) 7"x16" felt socks when cleaning out my tank, stirring up the sand and detritus in the sump. They clog after an hour or two of that, but if I just leave one in without doing a big cleaning, they'll still last a couple of days in a tank that has a lot of food running through it.

The rest of the time, I use NO mechanical filtration. Detritus is 'marine snow' and is coral food. Yes, a buildup is bad - but if you don't want it to settle in your sump, put a powerhead in it, will keep everything stirred up and you won't get that settling