Filter Socks..To use or not to use

[Budman's Corals]

What do people think about using filter socks..I currently run one but wouldnt that stop the flow of pods to the refuge ?

 

[Knuckles33]

Used to use one and stopped. Haven't seen a difference in corals. I have a power head in the drain section that kicks on for five minutes every few hours to take care of detritus

 

[dorky]

One word pita! Sock tend to get dirty fairly quick and have to be clean more often I stop using it in the past just use 2 litter bottle fill with rubbles and it help slow down the flow from the siphon to keep up with the return pump. It something that I would try again later.

 

[Reeftopia24]

I had one on my tank for a few weeks and they are a pain so I stopped and haven't noticed any change.


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[Budman's Corals]

I had one on my tank for a few weeks and they are a pain so I stopped and haven't noticed any change.


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I get tired of cleaning them every 3 days. thats the reason i might stop, prob be better to clean the sump every 2 weeks

 

[Reef Pets]

I like them. It's a easy way to help keep particals out of your water column. It's a very cheap method for additional filtration. I use large filter socks and clean them about every 10 days.
When cleaning just put it in the washing machine with about a tablespoon of bleach. When its done place it in the dryer and you're ready to go again. Just have a couple on hand so you can swap them out while one is cleaning.

 

[vamaro]

I have messy eaters so I use them. The socks trap excess food, etc. I try to change my sock everyday. When I run out of socks, I just throw them in the washing machine with some bleach.

 

[Budman's Corals]

I like them. It's a easy way to help keep particals out of your water column. It's a very cheap method for additional filtration. I use large filter socks and clean them about every 10 days.
When cleaning just put it in the washing machine with about a tablespoon of bleach. When its done place it in the dryer and you're ready to go again. Just have a couple on hand so you can swap them out while one is cleaning.

are you using a 200 or 100 micro ,I got the 7inch rectangular ones and i wouldn't thing the washer would clean them.also my wife might not like that idea,I usually take them outside turn inside out and hose but takes 10 minutes per one..which aint much time but some..

 

[Budman's Corals]

I like them. It's a easy way to help keep particals out of your water column. It's a very cheap method for additional filtration. I use large filter socks and clean them about every 10 days.
When cleaning just put it in the washing machine with about a tablespoon of bleach. When its done place it in the dryer and you're ready to go again. Just have a couple on hand so you can swap them out while one is cleaning.

send me link on type socks u use

 

[vamaro]

I use the thinner socks (not sure what micro). I tried the thicker socks and they just clog up faster and they do not seem to wash well. Just an opinion - washing them by hand will become a headache. I did this for about a week and then threw them in the washer. My wife was not happy about it at first, but they get over it after a few washes.

 

[Budman's Corals]

I use the thinner socks (not sure what micro). I tried the thicker socks and they just clog up faster and they do not seem to wash well. Just an opinion - washing them by hand will become a headache. I did this for about a week and then threw them in the washer. My wife was not happy about it at first, but they get over it after a few washes.

BUT WHAT ABOUT PODS...

they will not get back to the rubble or whatever in the fuge..

thats my concern..

 

[Otter_rs]

I never use them for many reasons;
1. They remove live plankton from the water column that could be feeding corals, sponges, and other livestock.
2. When you trap plankton, you kill it and it decomposes.
3. When you trap detritus and dying plankton in a sock and then force all of your aquarium water through that decay you create a degradation in water quality. Usually in the form of higher nitrates. You can also get ammonia and nitrite spikes between sock changes because the sock acts as a bio filter and you are removing bacteria with the sock.
On the flip side, without a sock, all that detritus settles to the bottom where your meiofauna breaks it down and recycles it. Makes for a much more stable environment. I just vacuum detritus buildup every 2 or 3 months.
4. I HATE cleaning filter socks.
Hope this helps.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[Budman's Corals]

I never use them for many reasons;
1. They remove live plankton from the water column that could be feeding corals, sponges, and other livestock.
2. When you trap plankton, you kill it and it decomposes.
3. When you trap detritus and dying plankton in a sock and then force all of your aquarium water through that decay you create a degradation in water quality. Usually in the form of higher nitrates. You can also get ammonia and nitrite spikes between sock changes because the sock acts as a bio filter and you are removing bacteria with the sock.
On the flip side, without a sock, all that detritus settles to the bottom where your meiofauna breaks it down and recycles it. Makes for a much more stable environment. I just vacuum detritus buildup every 2 or 3 months.
4. I HATE cleaning filter socks.
Hope this helps.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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Great response..

Im taking mine out today and gonna run for a while,,I bet my skim will get alot darker.

 

[Otter_rs]

To be honest, I'm always surprised how many people use them. Not to place any judgement on the people who like them.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[Budman's Corals]

To be honest, I'm always surprised how many people use them. Not to place any judgement on the people who like them.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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Well im running a herbie style system and what gets me is it splits off the drain 1 gots to the refuge and 1 goes to opp end where the sock is,so its really not catching all the stuff i would assume.

 

[Steelerfan747]

I used them in the past but stopped as it was a pain four me to clean them out every week. Instead I now use a ph I'm sump and added a couple of snails to help with detritus

 

[Budman's Corals]

I used them in the past but stopped as it was a pain four me to clean them out every week. Instead I now use a ph I'm sump and added a couple of snails to help with detritus

Ive heard a few use power heads in the sump must be a slow flow ..not a bad idea but wouldnt the skimmer put off enough flow to stir stuff up

 

[Otter_rs]

Well im running a herbie style system and what gets me is it splits off the drain 1 gots to the refuge and 1 goes to opp end where the sock is,so its really not catching all the stuff i would assume.

True, but you are still always catching something and sooner or later, assuming you have good variable current in your display, most of your water volume will go through that sock.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[Otter_rs]

Ive heard a few use power heads in the sump must be a slow flow ..not a bad idea but wouldnt the skimmer put off enough flow to stir stuff up

I guess it depends on where you want your detritus to settle. If it doesn't settle in the sump, it will settle in your display.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[Budman's Corals]

I guess it depends on where you want your detritus to settle. If it doesn't settle in the sump, it will settle in your display.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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i gotcha,mine will settle in the rock are of the sump..
ill suck it out every month if it gets to bad