Filter socks and sps

Reefnjunkie · Jul 16, 2014

I've been using socks for the last 5 years after returning to the hobby with no issue. I own about 20+ only because I change them weekly (3 socks in my system) because they are about to flow over. I spray them off real good with the garden hose and when I wash them I add a cap of bleach. I put them on soak for a few hours and then 2 wash cycles on gentle so the agitator doesn't shred them. Many threads I've read regarding using bleach or to not use bleach and the conclusion was the bleach is for our benefit, the socks look white and there is no beneficial purpose of bleach-nothing is going to "live" through a wash cycle - everyone is entitled to your opinion here its merely my take away.....

Anyway I decided to run sockless for a few months to see if I saw a difference, the ONLY difference I saw was a detritus build up in the first return sump-(I've two sumps plumb together) that I had to siphon out. I've gone back to using socks for the detritus reason.

That being said, I have a pretty good size fish load and I feed them daily and a good amount-all my fish are FAT, literally Jenny Craig candidates-LOL that could have something to do with my corals not looking different.

I think there are more variables in coral "happiness/color" than any single element.

Unrelated- I too run LEDs
Hahahaha

spspirate · Jul 17, 2014

I have never used them before but will in the new system. The reason for me not ever using them is that I would always gravity feed my skimmer. About 90% was going to the skimmer and detritus would collect in the sump. Every few weeks I would have to turkey base it out. I tend to feed heavy so nitrates are usually at a moderate level. Corals should be just fine when I do use them.....I assume. Kind of looking forward to using them..LOL Don't think wify will allow me to wash them out in the dishwasher so hand washing in RODI for me.

Reefnjunkie · Jul 17, 2014

spspirate said:
I have never used them before but will in the new system. The reason for me not ever using them is that I would always gravity feed my skimmer. About 90% was going to the skimmer and detritus would collect in the sump. Every few weeks I would have to turkey base it out. I tend to feed heavy so nitrates are usually at a moderate level. Corals should be just fine when I do use them.....I assume. Kind of looking forward to using them..LOL Don't think wify will allow me to wash them out in the dishwasher so hand washing in RODI for me.

Just hose them off real good, and 2 wash cycles leaves no evidence- believe me its a learned process LOL

The fist time without the spraying all the gunk and a single wash the washer looked beat down LOL

heathd.hd · Jul 17, 2014

I don't have sps but I'm just putting floss in my bubble trap. Throw it away twice a week cheap and easy. Idk. Anyone else do this?

zwulfke · Jul 17, 2014

I removed my sock and want to see what I end up with I have a coral heavy tank with 4 fish in 50g of total water. I may put a sock in 3outof 7 days just clean up the water

Lonelyreef · Jul 17, 2014

Socks are for feet not aquariums. Who knows what your taking out that's the problem i see.

Reef_a_holiks · Jul 17, 2014

What exactly are you guys using when removing the socks, do you just remove them completely and just run the refugium and skimmer?

Chameleon · Jul 17, 2014

I've had socks and no socks. I did get less detritus build up in the sump with socks, but things always looked good either way. In my latest system (sockless) I was struggling with low nutrients and stuck a polyfilter or two between some baffles in the sump. Not sure what that did but its been that way for a few months now and colors have darkened and improved. I haven't changed the polyfilters yet but I do attribute some of my nutrient balance to their presence. Water can either flow through them or around them the way they are loosely placed between baffles.

I guess its kind of like bioballs

twotangs · Jul 17, 2014

I like threads like this. You get those who promote never use them to those who do. Claims of I washed them and my reef died or I removed them and my corals are growing so fast I am making $1000 a week selling frags (I am exaggerating) There are many different recipes that lead to a successful reef, some include socks and some don't. I don't think that adding or removing them will be the sole reason for a change in your reef. For me I use them, 50 micron currently and at next replacement I will be switching to 15 to 25 micron. (and I run LED's too, just like filter socks I have been using those for years too). I change them twice a week and when I have enough to wash, throw them in the washer with simple green and bleach, then a plain wash cycle with nothing added, let them sit on the counter for a couple days to air and dry out. After that in a bag till I use them again. The link is my tank taken last week. For me filter socks is just one part of the recipe.

[video]http://vid40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/2turtles/tanktour_zpse8290590.mp4[/video]

Intricateart · Jul 17, 2014

I can't believe so many people are cleaning the socks in a washing machine. I just want everyone to be careful of trace amounts of dangerous chemicals making it into your systems. Risking your investments in livestock just to not handwash a few socks. You have no idea what could be tracked home in clothing and mixed into your socks(for the tank).Also if you have ever seen the inside of a washing machine, the soaps are never fully rinsed out of the pump and hoses. Remember,bleach (non-scented) will evaporate to nothing. Deodorant,hand soaps,smoke,scented candles can all damage your reef as well. If you don't want the labor in cleaning them don't run them,its not that big of an issue,purely asthetics.

CastAway · Jul 17, 2014

Agreed. Good thread. Good input. Some variables in the use/don't use, wash/don't wash equation, for sure. Some subjectivity IMO. So far, I think the simple and objective facts are these:

1. Socks remove particulates/nutrients in suspension.
2. They can introduce contaminates.

Nutrients can be a pro or con, depending on ones tank and inhabitants.
But why risk the potential to introduce chemicals and/or pathogens by washing in a laundry machine, when, at least in my own experience, it does not improve or prolong performance? I think bleach makes it more white, not necessarily less clogged. Drying out and being pressure rinsed again may serve to unclog more effectively perhaps.

TwistedTiger · Jul 17, 2014

WASHING MACHINE, ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!!!? Hand wash only, no matter what anyone tells you. Soak them in a little bleach and water after a thorough rinsing and then rinse thoroughly again. Let them air dry a couple days, rinse them again in RO/DI and then they are good to go. That being said I no longer use them simply because they are a pain to constantly change and clean. I spent the extra money on a big skimmer and ditched the socks. Many successful SPS tanks use filter socks, you just need to use some common sense when cleaning. Cleaning chemicals are a death sentence to a reef tank.

Reef Pets · Jul 17, 2014

I have used them since I started reefing a life time ago. I change mine about twice a week and they are NASTY. I would hate to have all of what comes out of my socks in my tanks. I have always used the washing machine to clean them. I use about 1/4 cup of bleach on a regular cycle then wash them again with no bleach and then do a rinse and spin. I then dry them in the dryer until completely dry. I have used this same process for 15+ years and have no issues growing SPS.

alan.reef · Jul 17, 2014

Reef tank without filter sock, not for me. I use 1/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon tap soak 12hour. rinse well over tap water hang dry.

Mikesmith34 · Jul 17, 2014

Yea I've ran with and without. Currently I'm not running one. I do get do do build up but it can be vacuum need out at water change. The BIG thing for me is what people go through to clean them. I have felt socks. I lay it out inside out and use the Waterhouse on jet and spray both sides off real well. Turn it back to right side out and jet off again drop it in bleach water for day or till next time I remember and set it in the sun to dry. The UV from the sun brakes down the chlorine in the socks to harmless levels. That's it no hassle. My wife would have a cow if I stuck those smelly things on our washer

twotangs · Jul 17, 2014

Reef Pets said:
I have used them since I started reefing a life time ago. I change mine about twice a week and they are NASTY. I would hate to have all of what comes out of my socks in my tanks. I have always used the washing machine to clean them. I use about 1/4 cup of bleach on a regular cycle then wash them again with no bleach and then do a rinse and spin. I then dry them in the dryer until completely dry. I have used this same process for 15+ years and have no issues growing SPS.

+1
I just ran a bunch though the washer tonight. That is way I love this thread. Funny to watch people get hysterical over this. I have and will continue to wash them in the machine. No issues. The video I posted shows my tank is doing just fine using filter socks cleaned in a washer.

NanaReefer · Jul 17, 2014

I use an old ice cream bucket/lid. Add a touch of bleach and let soak. Usually winds up being a couple of days...old timers memory don't ya know eh! Then I spend a nice quiet 20 min or more slowly rinsing until I no longer smell da bleach. Allow to air dry until needed

ChristopherKriens · Jul 17, 2014

You guys are crazy, I take my filter socks to the dry cleaners.

Reef head · Jul 18, 2014

I use bleach on the filter socks to kill off the organics. Washing them in Rodi and letting them set to dry out offers nothing, just putting the same thing back in that you took out.
I have never heard of anyone using "50 micron" filters in a reef tank, it would have to be in a pressure vessel to put flow through it or it would overflow not allowing the filtration process. 200 micron is of the normal for our application, and it is to get the free flowing particulates that the sps isn't going to go after.
I machined washed mine for 2 yrs. now with out issues. Filter socks are chemically made along with the acrylic of our tanks and everything is still good. The plastic from our 500 dollar skimmers are made with horrible chemically altered materials. The ppm that is the water is so little with ill effect, but I'm sure every one here runs an on board 1500 dollar whole house air purifier for water quality.

twotangs · Jul 18, 2014

Reef head said:
I have never heard of anyone using "50 micron" filters in a reef tank, it would have to be in a pressure vessel to put flow through it or it would overflow not allowing the filtration process.

Nope - gravity feed - works very well.

PONG50P4P