Filter socks, are garbage. What do you think?

[Tuffyyyyy]

I have the same tank and immediately switched out to filter pads. I just swap it out every week. I like it a lot more than the filter socks because you can actually see the gun, and to me it’s easier to just swap them out than worry about cleaning.

 

[MDSReefing]

I have the same tank and immediately switched out to filter pads. I just swap it out every week. I like it a lot more than the filter socks because you can actually see the gun, and to me it’s easier to just swap them out than worry about cleaning.

Easy and effective, I like your style! I appreciate it

 

[bjc451]

I’m not familiar with the tank but filter floss (animal stuffing) is cheap. 5 bucks. Just toss out when you wanna polish the water

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m just curious as to what that substance is in a cycling tank and how is it happening so quickly (Other then bacteria that was previously mention)

i am most definitely interested in mesh. However this sock size is unique, 2.75”x10”

Its a combination of sediment, diatoms and phyto produced in tank

 

[MDSReefing]

Its a combination of sediment, diatoms and phyto produced in tank

Diatoms would make the most sense.! had the lights off for about 10 days (with first sock) and I’ve had the photoperiod active for about 7 days now. Great info thank you

 

[AJsReef]

I love filter socks, because I hate cleaning my sump. With the invention of roller mats it’s as about as touch free as you can get.

The importance is two fold right micron sock and right number of socks to effectively cycle through them

 

[AquaBiomics]

I would say filter socks do a very good job at what they are designed to do (catching particles in the water), its just that I don't think that is a desirable goal for the aquarium. Let the particles flow!

 

[sde1500]

I'd be less concerned with filters socks doing what filter socks do (catching stuff to the point of getting clogged up), and more concerned as to why the tank sump area doesn't have a back up overflow built in for water to bypass the sock clogging. My sump has two areas for water to exit the sock section. First being below the water line so water flows through the sock and out there. Second being above the water and sock line, that way if the sock clogs, water only backs up to that point then flows through backup overflow and sump continues to operate with no risk to equipment.

 

[HB AL]

Mine is 200 micron and only change it once a week in a heavily populated tank.

 

[Miller535]

I'd be less concerned with filters socks doing what filter socks do (catching stuff to the point of getting clogged up), and more concerned as to why the tank sump area doesn't have a back up overflow built in for water to bypass the sock clogging. My sump has two areas for water to exit the sock section. First being below the water line so water flows through the sock and out there. Second being above the water and sock line, that way if the sock clogs, water only backs up to that point then flows through backup overflow and sump continues to operate with no risk to equipment.

I was thinking the same thing. I have one 7" filter sock filtering my dual overflows in my 125 gallon. I can go weeks without changing a sock. For the sake of argument that I didn't change it, water would just spill out of the top of the sock and my sump would just keep on running. You are not catching bacteria in a 200 micron sock. I am guessing that your substrate is blowing around if even so slightly and clogging your sock. I had that issue before when I used small grain sand.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Filters socks can be a big pain. On my 125g I had to change them at least every other day if not daily.

One thing I learned was that if I had a dirty filter sock that I let dry out, then washed it later, it never quite worked the same as it did the first time. I keep my dirty filters socks in a covered 5 gal bucket now to keep them wet until wash time and they wash much better. I read that somewhere and found it to be true that a dried out dirty filter sock just never was quite the same.

In your case I would really look into a mesh filter sock. It will remove some larger things but may let the more fine things clogging your current socks to go on by. Might help in your case.

 

[Miller535]

Filters socks can be a big pain. On my 125g I had to change them at least every other day if not daily.

One thing I learned was that if I had a dirty filter sock that I let dry out, then washed it later, it never quite worked the same as it did the first time. I keep my dirty filters socks in a covered 5 gal bucket now to keep them wet until wash time and they wash much better. I read that somewhere and found it to be true that a dried out dirty filter sock just never was quite the same.

In your case I would really look into a mesh filter sock. It will remove some larger things but may let the more fine things clogging your current socks to go on by. Might help in your case.

That's interesting. I change mine once a week. And I let every one of them dry out. After I have about 6 of them dirty I wash them. Once as is, then once turned inside out. And both times on the sanitation cycle on my washing machine, with no bleach.

 

[Mr Fishface]

That's interesting. I change mine once a week. And I let every one of them dry out. After I have about 6 of them dirty I wash them. Once as is, then once turned inside out. And both times on the sanitation cycle on my washing machine, with no bleach.

Perhaps my problem was not turning them inside out. I didn't have to turn them inside out if they remained wet - they washed perfectly fine in my opinion at least. I'll have to try that in the future though, keeping in the bucket made the bucket smell awful each time I had to open it up.

 

[Neoalchemist]

Turn them inskde out and wash them in the clothes washer, NO SOAP,hot water regular cycle, 2nd rinse. Let them dry over night.
I dont think it will be like this forever. I think you must have some cycleing slime and dinos clogging them which should pass in time.
Also as others have said, you dont really need them this early in the tanks life.

 

[Willylumplump]

Sock is clogging up quickly and is retaining substance that would otherwise reach the system and pumps.

+1
Figure out what the slime is, bacteria, remove for sake of flooding for time being. I had heavy slime when I overdid bio pellets first time.
how is your skimmer handling the waste/slime in the water? I would think it would be going nuts

 

[Bob Lauson]

I have two 100 micron filter socks in my sump which is located int he basement of my house so very easy to change out. I also have 10 micron filter socks that I used when I was battling dino's for some extra purifying power.

 

[Joe Rice]

Regarding the question in the title of this thread, you might find this video to be pretty informative.



If your filter sock is clogging up it's because it's doing its job. You could switch to a coarser mesh sock and it won't clog as quickly but then you won't be exporting as much from your tank. Whether that matters much in a cycling tank without livestock is a different question.

It's odd that there no overflow designed into the sock area - that's pretty standard. Clogged socks happen.

I change my sock every 3rd day. From what I've read that's about the time when the material that gets trapped in the sock starts to really decompose returning nutrients back into the water, defeating the purpose of the sock as a nutrient export.

Personally, I like filter socks. They seem like a relatively simple way of exporting nutrients. I have 10, so about once a month I throw them all in the washer with a bit of detergent and a fair amount of bleach. I run an extra rinse cycle, then two more short cycles with no detergent or bleach but also with extra rinsing. Then I let them air out for a few days. Never had a problem doing this and the same 10 socks have lasted me 4 years.