Filter Socks. Are they really needed?

[CoralReefCorals]

Some reefers swear by them and others don't really use them. Why use them? Why not? How often do you change them? How expensive can the sock game get over time?
Im trying to decide on whether to 110% the sock game or go in with a %50 attitude sorta say.
Please share

 

[Mr Fishface]

I like my filter socks. I feel they pull a lot of crud out of my water. I change my filters about every other day, sometimes i do it daily if i feel like it. I try to change before they start to overflow which is around the 3 day mark for me. I run two filter socks as i have 3 water inlets going to the sump. Two from my DT (one is high flow the other low flow) and one from my attached frag tank. The frag tank and low flow from DT share a filter sock. I bought a 12 pack on amazon for something like 40 bucks. They work well and last me about a week before i wash them. I just put them in the washing machine by themselves and they clean right up.

I know i lose a few extra pods this way but i still like how clear it gets my water.

 

[Murica]

I don’t use them since they take away a lot of pods and it’s very annoying cleaning them every day to few days. Instead, i have a chamber in my sump that allows the water to slow down, so the suspended detritus has a chance to settle. Every week or so i just siphon it out. Much easier and my pods don’t get wiped out in the process.

 

[madweazl]

Havent used them in over three years now and havent noticed a difference. My refugium chamber has 1/2-1" of ditritus laying on the bottom of it (guess that is a difference) yet nutrient levels are fine (NO3 <1ppm PO4 <=.1ppm). I figure the particulate in the water is feeding something beneficial.

 

[AdamB]

I like using socks as well in both of my reef tanks. Much cleaner . It’s been 2 years now and I am still using the same socks after many trips into washer and bleach. I am having troubles with 0 nitrates in my second tank so I am leaving my sock in a week at time . I have pods as well in this tank and still see them running around my fuge after 1 month

 

[BirdGuy21]

I have a JBJ AIO 45 with InTank Media Baskets. I use filter floss instead and change it out at least twice a week. I have found it collects a ton of junk and has helped keep my nutrients in check- provided I’m diligent about changing it out.

 

[Silent]

I like to use filter socks. They polish the water and the clearer the water (along with carbon) the better light can penetrate for the corals.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I use the mesh ones. Easy to clean, and kinda a “good enough” filtration method

 

[Silent]

@Jon Fishman I like the mesh ones also because they are easier to clean but I like the 50 micron ones. Traps everything.

 

[Jon Fishman]

@Jon Fishman I like the mesh ones also because they are easier to clean but I like the 50 micron ones. Traps everything.

I guess I honestly don’t know what mine are. will check my amazon order details


Edit; 80 Micron. Is that finer or more porous than the 50’s? is it like thread-count on sheets?

 

[Silent]

Usually you can get them from 50-400 micron. The lower the number the finer the filtering. Here are some different sizes. Amazon link doesn't seem to be working.
You can search Amazon for Honritone Nylon Mesh Filter Socks 4 Inch Ring 50/100 / 200/300 Micron

 

[Ltlevil1]

I hear this question with the same basic pros and cons, but the one thing I never hear anyone discuss is the outside environmental conditions in your house. Do you have pets? Do you live in an area where you leave windows/doors opened for significant lengths of time? Do you live in an older house? A couple years ago I had new windows installed in my house and it cut down on the daily dust significantly, right after this I also had to replace my a/c unit (southeast Louisiana). After those two things I noticed a pretty big change in overall air quality/daily dust and less of the floating particulates in my tanks. I also had two boxers until recently and now they have passed I notice my filter socks are a little clearer as well. I think using filter socks or not using them should be based on the individual tank and its conditions as well as other maintenance habits. Run your tank for a month or so and document all the conditions then run it without and compare. You might find running a sock part of the time works for you as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Wick]

i just make my own via the DIY threat. Love it and its super cheap. Don't wash em or anything I just throw them out for like 7 bucks every few months and some time.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I have a tiny Boston and a 105lb Dogo Argentino that sheds like crazy but have never noticed any signs of dog hair in my tank/socks/sump/other tank

 

[tonydig11]

I use red solo cups modified to media baskets. I cut slits in the side and bottom. I fill the bottom with ceramic rings for weight and place poly-fil in the top. Change the Poly-Fil 2x a week. Tank is a JBJ 65.

 

[lapin]

Filter Sock or Not? (Let's Discuss)

Hello SPS gurus! I have mixed emotions on the subject, and can see validity in both arguments, so let's hear from the SPS pros, I know who you guys are ;) I have used both, but in my current setup, sort of on the fence about the subject. In my new setup, I do not find reason to worry over...

www.reef2reef.com

Filter sock needed?

Hi I wanted to expand my refugium and I was wondering whether I should keep my filter socks. Are they really needed? if so should I use a different filtering method?

www.reef2reef.com

Filter Socks

Well just wanted to get input on what is everyone using with filter socks. I have a 75g sump. My sump has three 4" filter socks. Its a pain to replace and clean them every three days. If I wait till the fourth day, it is overflowing in the fuge, hence not filtering. I looked at the option of...

www.reef2reef.com

Is a filter sock necessary

I was at my lfs and the owner told me I didn’t really need to have a filter sock in my system. My tank was started last November and my bio load is lite only four fish and so invertebrates. I had a filter sock in for a while but my sump is kinda lacking in space with my protein skimmer. For the...

www.reef2reef.com

Filter floss vs Socks

Hello, So I run filter floss cups in my filter instead of socks. Do you guys have any preference? I feel like my Filter floss cups clog up fairy fast (2-3 days). But do you feel like the filter socks do a better job at filtration compared to running filter floss? Appreciate any insight.

www.reef2reef.com

You're all nuts....well maybe.

So you probably have socks, filter wool, roller mats or whatever some spending hundreds of $ to remove detritus and yet perhaps you are going your tank and animals a disservice or worse still depriving them of valuable food, nutrients and pod life. I have searched and searched the net, read...

www.reef2reef.com

Filter Socks. Are they really needed?

Some reefers swear by them and others don't really use them. Why use them? Why not? How often do you change them? How expensive can the sock game get over time? Im trying to decide on whether to 110% the sock game or go in with a %50 attitude sorta say. Please share

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jon Fishman]

Filter Socks. Are they really needed?

Some reefers swear by them and others don't really use them. Why use them? Why not? How often do you change them? How expensive can the sock game get over time? Im trying to decide on whether to 110% the sock game or go in with a %50 attitude sorta say. Please share

www.reef2reef.com

Are suggesting he references the same thread he started? (I know what you’re getting at)

 

[Squidward]

Yes it's better than not.

 

[lapin]

Are suggesting he references the same thread he started? (I know what you’re getting at)

I was going to put it at the end and messed up. Kinda a Ground Hog Day thing.
Huumoor.....

 

[ryanmckeel]

Some reefers swear by them and others don't really use them. Why use them? Why not? How often do you change them? How expensive can the sock game get over time?
Im trying to decide on whether to 110% the sock game or go in with a %50 attitude sorta say.
Please share

I prefer not to use socks and use that area for a chaeto refugium. My water chemistry has vastly improved and been very beneficial ever since.