Filter socks and filter sock holders

[pickupman66]

So, I am considering adding a filter sock holder and runnign a 4" filter sock on my new system. Aside from filtering the water going into the sump, what benefits do I really get? Also, if the water outlet is above the water line, but the bottom of the sock is below water line, do you get alot of noise? I cannot have this making any noise.

is it worth teh $25 or $30 to buy a pre-made holder and get 6 socks? how often do you need to change them? I have never run them but maybe I need to try.

do most folks angle the water into them or have it go straight down?

Show me your setups

 

[palvyre]

I change my socks once per week. Keeps detritus from building up in my sump. Also helps just clear debris from the water.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Why use it? Why not keep all that stuff suspended so the corals can have food. You have a bare bottom now run as much flow as you can on the tank and put a power head in the sump to keep detritus suspended

 

[poolkeeper1]

Why use it? Why not keep all that stuff suspended so the corals can have food. You have a bare bottom now run as much flow as you can on the tank and put a power head in the sump to keep detritus suspended

Agreed, Waste of time and money your skimmer will remove what your livestock does not eat. Just siphon out any build up that occurs in no flow areas over time is a better option IMO
Bill

 

[pickupman66]

Trick for removing it from a ground level sump bottom?

 

[.AcroKiller.]

A maxi jet with a hose attached on the suction end and on the outlet and the outlet dumping into a filter sock back to the tank once a week or every two weeks

 

[poolkeeper1]

Trick for removing it from a ground level sump bottom?

Hook a hose line to the suction side of a small pump (Maxijet 1200) and when you do a waterchange clean it out. Of course connect a line to the output to a bucket
Bill

 

[acox]

I got a piece of Plexiglas cut hold needed to hold the sock, have cut out for where skimmer goes, and cut out where the wheel filter fitsl With the glass covering most all the sump, refuge I have a lot less water loss. I don't hear a lot of noise from sock at all, the wheel is whats loud in my set up. I've only been running a 65 gal tank, corals & a few fish for about 5 months now, still learning but right now my home made job was cheep, easy and works in every way that I need it

 

[bknapp]

Trick for removing it from a ground level sump bottom?

At Home Depot they sell what they can a "Wet Head" (IIRC) for $20, it's basically a shop vacuum head that attaches to a 5 gallon bucket. I use it to suck all that detritus and gunk fin the bottom of my sump.

 

[schooleyosis]

I run the 7" filter sock on my system and change it out once it gets clogged and starts to overflow. I use a couple of the j-hooks used to hang plumbing from and zip ties to the edge of the sump to hold the filter sock in place. Looks cheap and was cheap but it works!

I've always ran a filter sock so I do not know how to compare it or say if it works or not. Once I get 3 or 4 dirty filter socks I turn them inside out and wash them in the washing machine with hot water and bleach!

 

[Dowtish]

I personally wouldnt run a tank without them. I love how crystal clear my water looks. I run bio pellets so the corals get plenty of food either way. My sump stays detritus free and I run my GAC in a media bag passively in the filter sock.

 

[pickupman66]

See.. that's kinda what im thinking chris... I've never run them but after a week I can see a good dusting on the bottom of my sump.

Heck it won't hurt to try it. I think I'll order a simple holder and some socks off amazon and see.

 

[JOKER]

In my tank I started without for few months, after adding them the water is much clearer and don't have the debris all over tank. I just have mine hanging on the drain lines with no holders.

 

[MikeAndrews]

I ran socks for the initial 3 months to help cycle. Now I removed them and extended PVC below water line in sump. No noise, good circulation of water in sump. However I do " over skim". I run two skimmers rated for a total of 600 gal on my 190 reef.

 

[NeveSSL]

If you don't like the idea of washing filter socks, do a pillow stuffing filter:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do...r-those-us-who-hate-washing-filter-socks.html

Brandon

 

[pickupman66]

Brandkn. How is your pillow stuffing? How often u changing it?

 

[NeveSSL]

The only issue I've had is the last time I bought some, it was more course than the first stuff I bought, so I'm thinking about trying to find the finer stuffing again.

Other than that, I love it. Its not perfect, but it does a good job at catching a good portion of the crap going down my overflow, especially after feeding. It also seems to help with noise, but I'm running a BeanAnimal overflow, so I'm not sure if that would be that same for your setup.

I change it out when it overflows... which is usually every 4 to 7 days, depending. I do it when I feed, and it only takes about 2 minutes.

Brandon