How many filter socks do you keep on hand?

[DBR_Reef]

0. Get a rollermat or do a diy autofilter

 

[Reef Ryder]

How many filter socks should I be looking to buy? I'm thinking having just one change of socks doesn't make sense if it takes a washer load to wash them (especially since I have to pay to use a washer here). I figure I need to change them at least 1x per week (I realize that 2-3 days is better...but if I'm honest, there will be times it will be 1x per week).

Also, where is it cheapest to get them from? I'm looking for the ones with the plastic rings.

I only have one pair unfortunately. I try to wash them every 3-5 days using the pressure setting from shower head. It's a pain but it does the job. Thankfully, I have made some friends at the LFS so whenever I ask, they swap my dirty socks for a fresh pair. Not new, but clean. They are so expensive

 

[star fawkes]

Between 20 and 90. When I get to about 20 I make another 90 to 100 for .20 a piece and toss them when they are dirty. They are very simple to make

Basically the same here. Make them super cheap, change every day, wash about 50 at a time. Reuse two or three times each then toss them out.

 

[monkiboy]

after i went rollermat i won't go back unless for a very high flow sump turn-over system. it has saved me so much time on a few different systems.

 

[pelphrey]

I have about 12 BRS socks I cut the plastic rim on for my reefer. Sometimes they last 4 days sometimes 2, when they are dirty I flip them inside out and rinse under the sink. Once all but a set are dirty in the washing machine they go. Hot cycle extra rinse.

Pro tip - when you are ordering other equipment/media/plumbing/misc items throw a filter sock or two in your cart. You won't notice the extra little bit of money!

 

[ebeez]

I keep 8 pairs and change them out once a week. Clean them with a pressure washer.

 

[Forsaken77]

I use 50 micron polypropylene felt drawstring socks that are 7"x16". I had to special order them from filterbag.com and the minimum on a special order is 25. But for 25 of those socks, including shipping, only cost me $90. You can also have them welded for an extra 50 cents per sock. But they'll make anything you want if it's not a stocked item.

So instead of paying $10 per sock, I paid $3+ for 25 of them. I keep half in rotation and leave the other half for when these get worn out.

I highly recommend going this route. I have a 2 gallon bucket with a screw-on air tight, water tight lid and turn the dirty ones inside out and let them soak in peroxide until I use up 10 and then throw them in the washer for a full cycle (no soap of course) and then 3 separate rinse cycles to make sure there's no soap residue in them.

I found that a 100 micron lets through too much gunk. With a big 50 micron you never have to worry about it clogging up and it catches so much more. I just clip it onto the top of the sump and the drain line goes right into it. I have no idea how people get away with using a 200 micron sock. It's like using nothing at all.

 

[jsker]

Basically the same here. Make them super cheap, change every day, wash about 50 at a time. Reuse two or three times each then toss them out.

Thank you for reminding me, have to change mine

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I like the nylon socks aaron23 is referring to. As he says, take to the sink, rinse and you're back in business. My felt socks get washed in the machine after adding some baking soda. I don't prep the machine or do anything fancy. I've also found a somewhat lighter grade of felt at Fabricland and the regular stuff online and will be making the next batch.

 

[jd371]

I have 14. and Yes I wash them when there is 1 left
I keep them in a sealed bucket of water with no light....I do clean them with a garden hose before putting them into the storage container

This is exactly what I do. I have 7 socks in rotation and wash them when I get down to one. I also use some bleach in the holding bucket.

 

[JoeIII]

I have 15-20 DIY socks (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-filter-socks.162584/). Since they don't have to be perfect the sewing wasn't too bad. Took me 3-4 hours one night and I was done. I think overall I spent < $30 for all of them. Makes it nice being able to pull it out, rinse it and toss it in a "dirty sock" bucket and then do a full load of them when I am down to a handful. I use to only have 2 and I would always feel the pressure of needing to clean them to make sure I had them on hand. Now I wash them every 4-5 months is all.

Same here - I got some acrylic rod (about 1/2") and made a ring from it, I slip the ring in a diy sock before I throw it in the tank, then just swap it to the new one when I swap them.

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

Right now I have 4. My wife makes them for me so every couple weeks I just ask her to make a few more.

 

[roberthu526]

I have like 20. I wash them once I have 6 dirty socks.

 

[Salty1962]

I have 7 200M felts' and 3 100M nylon mesh. I like the mesh better because they don't clog up as easy and they clean quicker. I just use the garden hose.

 

[Bronc]

I have a dozen or so. I wash them in the washing machine when I start running low and dry them in the dryer. Works great.

 

[bella aqua]

""Also, where is it cheapest to get them from? I'm looking for the ones with the plastic rings."
Really?
Why don't you make it a habit of actually helping your local lfs and purchasing a few every so often, instead of shopping around for "cheap"..

 

[Sharvey103]

I have 16 and I wash them when Ian down to 4.

 

[FirstContact]

20 on hand, wash them when 19 are left. I used to run 2 socks in my set up, so I would wash them every 30 days or so. Now I'm using just 1 sock in my set up, so I wash them about every 60 days.

Buy them on-line from a non-aquarium vendor. Much cheaper.