filter socks: Pros vs Cons
- Thread starter Adam10045
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OP
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Adam10045
Active Member
Lol I feel the same way
OP
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Adam10045
Active Member
I know some people who don't use any kind of sock or pad for filtering and rely on the skimmer. I just can even begin to think that's a good idea. They see it as more food for the corals. I see it as a bunch of wast settling behind and in rocks causing problems down the road. I feed my corals enough to not have to worry about them relying on fish poop and detritus. The less junk floating around, the better.
What particle size do corals utilize? Much of the stuff I find in my socks is probably way to large to be used by coral. Could you pick a filter size to catch most detritus but allow that is small enough to be useful to pass?
cginter
Well-Known Member
How do u wash them? With or without detergent or bleach? Air dry or machine dry? Jus curious as I do not use them as I see it as a hassle to change them out and clean them every time they fill up.
gtbarsi
Well-Known Member
YES!
I change mine out every 2-3 days, the goal is similar to the skimmer, remove excess nutrients before it breaks down and adds to the volume of nitrates in the system. On top of that they really polish the water nice!
I have 10 at the moment, so after the swap, I rinse it out, and save them up and run a load in the washer every 2 weeks or so. I do run an empty rinse cycle before to remove any excess detergents that may be in the washer. Then I throw them in with warm water, and some hydrogen peroxide, when they are done I hang dry them and they are as good as new!
I usually do this when the wife is out and then throw a bleach load in afterwords, I think she assumes I hand wash them in the utility sink in the laundry room....
I change mine out every 2-3 days, the goal is similar to the skimmer, remove excess nutrients before it breaks down and adds to the volume of nitrates in the system. On top of that they really polish the water nice!
I have 10 at the moment, so after the swap, I rinse it out, and save them up and run a load in the washer every 2 weeks or so. I do run an empty rinse cycle before to remove any excess detergents that may be in the washer. Then I throw them in with warm water, and some hydrogen peroxide, when they are done I hang dry them and they are as good as new!
I usually do this when the wife is out and then throw a bleach load in afterwords, I think she assumes I hand wash them in the utility sink in the laundry room....
rworegon
Active Member
I use them. I only have two and I rotate them. When one starts getting so the return is almost to the top of the sock I swap em. I wash them in the washing macj=hine with no detergent, maybe a splash of bleach every third or fourth time with an extra rinse cycle and let them air dry. Any bleach residue evaporates by the time I need to use it again.
OP
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Adam10045
Active Member
Dang, wish I had 10.... :/ I only have 2 at a time since all my spare money goes to buying corals. Lol
I use 2. They help clear the water and since I am a compulsive overfeeder, I need all the help I can get, however, I change mine daily. If I am going to be unavailable to do the daily change, I just take them out.I leave mine soak in a bucket of water with bleach and do a wash twice a week with an extra rinse cycle. If you are worried about the bleach, you can put them in the dryer on high for 5 minutes or so.
-Logzor
2500 Club Member
Rather than dealing with filter socks I begun using a $20 shop-vac that snaps onto a bucket lit from Home Depot to vacuum out my bare bottom sump. If you have nice slow flow through your sump much of the detritus should settle there.
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Adam10045
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mbray94
Community Member
Yes, because they pull out a lot of waste and detritus. But like others have stated you have to stay on top of them to be effective. I chane mine out about everythree to four days. I clean them very well and have a bunch on stand by. I like them because to me it is a pre filter to my skimmer.
