How Many Filter Socks Do You Keep on Hand

nickkohrn · Sep 19, 2018

While I await my Waterbox 100.3 to arrive, I plan to purchase extra filter socks. This is the first system that I will have owned with a sump and filter socks. It comes with one mesh and one felt sock. I already ordered a spare of each when I made the initial order. However, after reading other posts, it occurred to me that I will likely need some extras, especially if I want to perform micro-bubble scrubbing, which I likely will after seeing some of the benefits.

How many do you keep on hand?

AdamNC · Sep 19, 2018

I only have a 4” single on mine so I keep only 5 on hand.

Retro Reefer · Sep 19, 2018

I also have a single 4” and five socks, I will probably add a few more just so I can wash them all at once to save time on maintenance.

Flexin · Sep 19, 2018

6, and when I get to the 5th one being dirty I wash them. Speaking of that... (washing machine running in the background)

Skep18 · Sep 19, 2018

2 4" slots, I keep 8. I will probably buy more when they go BOGO again on BRS. Never bad to have more.

Merv49 · Sep 19, 2018

nickkohrn said:
While I await my Waterbox 100.3 to arrive, I plan to purchase extra filter socks. This is the first system that I will have owned with a sump and filter socks. It comes with one mesh and one felt sock. I already ordered a spare of each when I made the initial order. However, after reading other posts, it occurred to me that I will likely need some extras, especially if I want to perform micro-bubble scrubbing, which I likely will after seeing some of the benefits.

How many do you keep on hand?

I have two on my sump so I have 14 socks total and wash every two weeks or three.

Dartfrog1 · Sep 19, 2018

My sump holds 2-7” socks so I keep 14 total I change every 10 days

Geebs19 · Sep 19, 2018

How are you guys going about washing them?

Dartfrog1 · Sep 19, 2018

I rinse mine out with the garden hose then I store them in a 5 gallon bucket with RO water until I go thru all my socks then wash them in the wash machine with vinegar and hot water extra rinse. Come out clean and white!

Skep18 · Sep 19, 2018

Geebs19 said:
How are you guys going about washing them?

A washer load with diluted bleach. Let it rinse and air dry really well.

albano · Sep 19, 2018

3 separate systems (600g, 300g and 100g) use about 10-12 socks a week, so have about 90 socks available. Wash about once a month in washer, first inside out with hot water and bleach, extra rinse, then wash again inside in with hot water only and extra rinse... Air dry at least 24 hrs.

Skep18 · Sep 19, 2018

albano said:
inside out

forgot this part. Yes, for sure.

nickkohrn · Sep 19, 2018

Skep18 said:
forgot this part. Yes, for sure.

Why inside-out?

nickkohrn · Sep 19, 2018

Also, I have two sock holders in a step-down configuration. Waterbox uses a mesh sock in the first holder and a felt sock in the second holder. Water is forced through both. Should I forego the mesh sock and use two felt socks? Does it make a difference?

squampton · Sep 19, 2018

User1 · Sep 20, 2018

nickkohrn said:
While I await my Waterbox 100.3 to arrive, I plan to purchase extra filter socks. This is the first system that I will have owned with a sump and filter socks. It comes with one mesh and one felt sock. I already ordered a spare of each when I made the initial order. However, after reading other posts, it occurred to me that I will likely need some extras, especially if I want to perform micro-bubble scrubbing, which I likely will after seeing some of the benefits.

How many do you keep on hand?

0! Zero!

Holy_makerel · Sep 20, 2018

I used the felt socks for a long time and will throw one in if i really need to polish the water but i love the mesh socks. I only have one on my 60 cube. I have to clean it every 2-3 days but its a quick rinse in the sink and back in service. I have 2 of them but I've only ever used one since cleanup is so easy

Rakie · Sep 20, 2018

I've got about 12, but I don't use filter socks 90% of the time. The only time I use them is when I'm doing a water change, or blowing out detritus. I'll put them in for a few days after a water change but that's about it. I end up washing the 12 every 2-3 months.

jd371 · Sep 20, 2018

I have 7 in rotation and wash them when I'm down to the last one. I first rinse them with the garden hose to get as much of the gunk out, I then toss them in a bucket of water with a little bleach until it's time for the washing machine. I run them through two rinse cycles and then they get air dried for a couple of days. I did go sockless on my tank but I needed to clean the skimmer more often because it was getting dirty really quick, I 'd rather change out the sock every few days than have to clean the skimmer every month.