Filter Socks
- Thread starter TreyC2010
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Mike in CT
Valuable Member
I only use them part time when I am cleaning the tank or somehow stirring it up. Other then that I am just to lazy to change them and clean them as often as they need to be if you run them full time.
M3ace9
Active Member
I was not a fan of changing and washing filter socks every three days. I run an sps dom tank with a hybrid sock system. I picked up a sock that was made of mesh instead of the normal felt material and just line it with filter floss. I also use a custom shaped eggcrate insert to keep the floss in place. I replace every ten days and thats the end of the story. Easy peezy.
M3ace9
Active Member
I was not a fan of changing and washing filter socks every three days. I run an sps dom tank with a hybrid sock system. I picked up a sock that was made of mesh instead of the normal felt material and just line it with filter floss. I also use a custom shaped eggcrate insert to keep the floss in place. I replace every ten days and thats the end of the story. Easy peezy.
Wow! I'm doing overkill by the look of most frequency change. I run mine 24/7 and change daily especially if it's a short sock. If it's a long one every two days. I have a large bio load. As for cleaning them, I do the cleaning once a week. I'll presoak them in 25% bleach/water solution and then I just toss them in the washer.
MikeyB
Valuable Member
As long as you're happy doing it, doesnt matter too much 
I let mine go till water overflows over the top because its 100% clogged, i dont presoak or anything either, just right into the washer
I let mine go till water overflows over the top because its 100% clogged, i dont presoak or anything either, just right into the washer
Actually my small socks overflow after 24 hours. I have to presoak, it's a small washer (portable apartment style). I had to get one after my wife caught me washing the socks in the house washer. Lol
JoeIII
Well-Known Member
We make them for less than $1 each from joann after coupons - It would be possible to get the price down more depending on your setup.
They plug faster than commercial ones, but die to our setup it's not a huge deal if they overflow. I still get 3-4 days out of a sock, but of course everyone's systems are different so that's not a fair comparison.
I made a ring to hold the top open out of 1/2" red acrylic rod, if i drop it in the tank i can see the red, it holds the shape of the socks, and it's easy to install/remove.
Overall, it is a far superior solution to the commercially available socks for our setup. As always, YMMV.
I run them 24/7. My sump is a pain to clean for me and if I don't run them the sump gets pretty nasty. I run 2 of them and they need swapped about every 3 days. I wait until water is running out of them. I put into a bucket and when it's full dump into washing machine. About 1 load a week is it. Doesn't take more than 5 min on my part.
Electrobes
Valuable Member
I ran retail filter socks, which worked fine. They clogged up in about three to four days.
I then saw the diy filter socks, and made a zillion of them so cheaply. They worked really well, but clogged faster.. Usually I would get about two days max before they started overflowing.
I got sick of constantly changing them, so I pulled filter socks all together. That was a mistake. The sump was full of funk and I was unhappy.
I then tried the mesh socks. While they don't catch as much as the cloth socks, I am much happier with these. They easily last a week, which conforms well with my life.
I then saw the diy filter socks, and made a zillion of them so cheaply. They worked really well, but clogged faster.. Usually I would get about two days max before they started overflowing.
I got sick of constantly changing them, so I pulled filter socks all together. That was a mistake. The sump was full of funk and I was unhappy.
I then tried the mesh socks. While they don't catch as much as the cloth socks, I am much happier with these. They easily last a week, which conforms well with my life.
