Filter Socks - What is your opinion?

[drcrook]

Hey Folks,

I've got dual 4" filter socks (long) installed in my sump now. My sump has a large protein skimmer and a 15 gallon refugium with chaeto, rocks etc.

My filter socks tend to get clogged very quickly. What are folks opinion on actually using filter socks? I've actually removed them from my system altogether the last few days and I've still got great readings on my water parameters. The chaeto is sort of acting like a mechanical filter for me; though not to the same degree. If I do add socks back in; I'll probably go to a sock that allows more flow pass through so it doesn't clog.

So what do folks think?

 

[JBKReef]

Hey Folks,

I've got dual 4" filter socks (long) installed in my sump now. My sump has a large protein skimmer and a 15 gallon refugium with chaeto, rocks etc.

My filter socks tend to get clogged very quickly. What are folks opinion on actually using filter socks? I've actually removed them from my system altogether the last few days and I've still got great readings on my water parameters. The chaeto is sort of acting like a mechanical filter for me; though not to the same degree. If I do add socks back in; I'll probably go to a sock that allows more flow pass through so it doesn't clog.

So what do folks think?

When you say they get clogged "very quickly" what do you consider quickly?

BRS did an interesting video with the effect filter socks have on nutrient reduction as it relates to timeliness of replacement.

I use a 4 inch filter sock that is replaced once every 3-4 days once flow through the sock gets reduced. My sump has an overflow that makes it very loud when the sock gets too clogged up.

 

[Brien]

Anything that catches extra waste is a plus. My sump stays cleaner when I use my socks.

 

[cloak]

I'll use a filter sock for a few hours during a water change, but that's about it. I prefer that everything floats freely throughout the system. Just as an example I've got a breeding pair of Ocellaris clownfish in my tank. When the babies detach & start floating around some of my corals will have a field day and I would hate to deprive them of that. Same goes for any leftover food that might get trapped too. I'd much rather have this keep making revolutions until something can utilize it as opposed to rotting away in a sock.

 

[Pntbll687]

I only use them when I perform maintenances that are going to add particulate to the water column. Then I add the socks for a day or two. Otherwise the overflow dumps into my chaeto.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I use them on my 210g and my 40g/20g combo tanks. Really keeps the sump cleaner and less vacuuming for me.

I use 4" on my 40/20 combo and 11" (or so) on my 210g. I have made my own socks once and plan to make more soon. This way I have a lot of socks to throw on as needed. If I am doing lots of work or feeding lots, I change them every 4 days or so, otherwise they can go almost 7 days.

Also depends on the sock. I have difference particulate matter material, so they clog faster or slower depending. My new stuff is 1micron, so we will see how long they take to clog. My others, I am not sure of the micron. Some are just regular socks you can buy (the heavier thicker ones) and the ones I made were just a fabric for batting or filling.

I definitely prefer to have them over not having them. Had it both ways. Just make sure if socks get full, they have a way to overflow and not cause leak issue.

 

[mcarroll]

You're either feeding too much or you're depriving your corals, depending how you want to look at it.

Ask yourself why the tank is there: To "filter waste"? To grow chaeto? To "help out" with all the "extra" money in your wallet?

Nope...it's there to grow corals. And corals do eat!

Don't let filter socks or chaeto growing (or anything else) interfere with that.

So if detritus is collecting somewhere, look at it as a flow issue (corals will thank you), not a filtration issue. (Unless it's extreme. Overfeeding is possible.)

 

[timnem70]

I only use them when I perform maintenances that are going to add particulate to the water column. Then I add the socks for a day or two. Otherwise the overflow dumps into my chaeto.

Mine too. My Fuge is first, then skimmer, floss and return. Crazy growth of Macro.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I do feed a lot as I have gorgs, so extra filtering helps a ton.

 

[SPR1968]

I can see the reason why you wouldn’t use them, but I like the water to be crystal clear like gin so I change them every 3 days and I also have a chunk of filter floss/wool in the sump to collect any additional debris in addition to the protein skimmer.

Just me and how I like it.

 

[drcrook]

Amazing, it's currently a 55/45 split with an edge towards socks. I'm going to finish out next week sock free and then add socks again.

I seem to get what I think is hair algae in there. I recently increased my flow by about 50% though.

 

[leepink23]

I use filter socks but going to try these with filter floss so I can stop washing the socks.

 

[GoVols]

Amazing, it's currently a 55/45 split with an edge towards socks. I'm going to finish out next week sock free and then add socks again.

I seem to get what I think is hair algae in there. I recently increased my flow by about 50% though.

FWIW:
I ran sockless for years, but now I run the Red Sea 225 micron nylon mesh filter sock.

They are so easy to clean and get about six months per sock.

 

[drcrook]

FWIW:
I ran sockless for years, but now I run the Red Sea 225 micron nylon mesh filter sock.

They are so easy to clean and get about six months per sock.

Sounds great. I just have some generic socks. Wish I knew how many microns. I need to increase flow through the socks. Ones ive got clog in 2 days

 

[BigJim]

I hate changing filter socks, but I hate cleaning detritus out of my sump more. So I use filter socks.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Like some others have stated, I used them when I do a WC. A day or 2 before, I blow off the rocks with a PH, and let the socks catch the junk. I leave them in for a day after the WC to catch other detritus that floats around. During normal time I like to let everything flow throughout the system.

 

[rkpetersen]

FWIW:
I ran sockless for years, but now I run the Red Sea 225 micron nylon mesh filter sock.

They are so easy to clean and get about six months per sock.

Also using these now. At first with a new tank I have used 100 micron mesh bags which quickly become tenable with daily cleanings required as the tank fills with life. I used 225 micron felt bags for a long while. Effective enough, but a fair bit of work to clean, so I wound up having many sets that I could run through a wash cycle. With the 225 micron mesh bags, I can pull them, clean them and replace them in a couple of minutes. Every tank is different, but a pair of these typically lasts me 2 or 3 days before they're overflowing a good bit.

 

[P-Dub]

It does boil down to a maintenance issue for me. I would rather change out the two socks once every two days than vacuuming the sump as well. It is easier, cleaner, and quicker to change the socks than to vacuum the sump. If you get socks that are not as fine, you will change them less. Your chaeto is not uptaking particulate anyway. When you get a healthy population of pods in your system, you can collect the larger pods and dump them into your refugium. Just another way to skin a cat, so to speak. Try different methods and find what works best for you and and your tank.

 

[Oberst Oswald]

Before I ran a Triton Method mixed reef without socks. I now use socks, 200 micron, because when I didn't my sump became such a mess over time I could not stand it. If your socks need changing after 2 days imagine what your sump will look like in a month or two. Without socks your sump will eventuality be a example of a sewer that will need to be cleaned. Also consider that the return pump, piping and the skimmer mechanical section will need maintenance more often. Try it both ways and you will come to your own conclusion.

 

[wranodj]

Had better results with keeping corals after removing filter socks. Will use after maintenance for a couple days.