Filter sock or not?

tonybwill · Apr 26, 2015

Need your opinion on the use of the filter sock.

Rob.D · Apr 26, 2015

I think filter socks are great for the non-lazy....I am one of those "lazy bottoms" lol

RavenSF · Apr 26, 2015

I started using nylon mesh filter socks. They don't polish quite as well but work nearly as good and last longer between changes. They're also much easier to clean out.

tonybwill · Apr 27, 2015

I only have 1 for now. It came with my new eshopp sump, will get more. Washing and drying it as we speak.

RavenSF · Apr 27, 2015

Check out the mesh,not can rinse them under a faucet.

tonybwill · Apr 27, 2015

Ok. I will read up on different types of socks. How often do you change them?

RavenSF · Apr 27, 2015

I use 150 nylon mesh socks and change every 2-3 days. Rinse them in the sink and put them aside in a big zip lock bag. When I start running out I put a little bleach in soak, then rinse, soak in prime then rinse and dry. It sounds like more work than it is and I'm probably overdoing it.

I got them from this site, you have to buy 25 but I sold my extras quickly on a local forum.

FilterBag.com

tonybwill · Apr 27, 2015

Cool. Thanks!

Docdiggy · Apr 27, 2015

I change mine once a week. I rotate between like 3 and just clean them under the faucet.

carl page · Apr 27, 2015

Very good I think... I have 3 and change out every 2-3 days... In washing machine, with a little bleach, rince second time to be safe... Back in sump...

Z06-Hec · Apr 27, 2015

I have a set of ten, which means 20 of them. I rotate, change them about 1 time a week. When i remove the dirty ones stick them in a bucket with a cap of bleach and some water and let them collect and sit. Once I am down to 1 set i throw the others in the washer. Once the last set is ready to be changed i start the cycle over again.

FrankAbagnale · Apr 27, 2015

I've been using them on my new tank.

I use a standard felt bag. Switch between 100-200 micron.

I sell industrial filters so I buy about 50 of them at a time and toss them when I'm finish.

cloak · Apr 27, 2015

Aside from using one for a few hours during a water change, I've never really found the need to run one 24/7. A happy healthy reef tank should have some particulate matter floating around in it IMO, whether that's detritus, food or zooplankton.

chaoha · Apr 27, 2015

I've been using them for about 4 years. Change it every week. Clean it in the washer with bleach and extra rinse

welder1 · Apr 27, 2015

I have been using them since i sent the tank up in Feb. this yr. 100 micron bags and change every 2 days. Sometimes every morning as I have 20 bags which is enough for ten days. Every weekend I turn them inside out and them spray with a water hose inside a plastic tote that has holes in the bottom. Gets them pretty clean (in less than a hour) then toss them in the washing machine hot water with a splash of bleach. Rinse, then wash cycle with no bleach they look like new. It is amazing how dirty they are in just 2 days. 125 gals soft coral and a large mated pair of Clarki clown fish, cuban hogfish, sailfin tang, hippo tang, purple tang, foxface, Flagfin Angelfish, and the smallest of them all is a blue devil dansel that is 3 inchs long.