How often do you change socks/floss?

StrangeDejavu · Oct 13, 2016

I'm running an InTank Media Basket in my BioCube 29 right now and I change the pinky floss every 3 days. Someone I spoke to recently said this was excessive. How often are you guys changing your socks or floss?

Willz · Oct 13, 2016

I change mine every time I have to add RO to my top off. The reservoir is 5g and lasts about 3 days. I just do both together since I have to do one and it reminds me to do the other

All the socks go to the washing machine with bleach and then dry for the next three days to go back in the tank all over again.

DeniseAndy · Oct 13, 2016

Whenever they look dirty. Sometimes 3 days sometimes over 1.5wks.

Look at it this way. You are not trying to grow bacteria on it. It is a means to remove crap from the system. Change as often as you want or can afford. MHO

Adam G · Oct 14, 2016

I change mine every three days. Like to get any detritus out before it starts breaking down.

Rick.45cal · Oct 15, 2016

I didn't run filter socks for the first 8 months, now I change it everyday... from one extreme to the other... no moderation. LOL

Bdog4u2 · Oct 15, 2016

When I hear the water splashing out the socks which is usually every other day as I'm a very heavy feeder, flakes 2x a day and 4 cubes of frozen at night and I still can't get my nitrates to rise above 0

Duke4Life · Oct 15, 2016

Every 3 to 4 days.

Reef Nerd · Oct 15, 2016

I'm with Bdog I change mine every night after feeding

StrangeDejavu · Oct 15, 2016

Adam G said:
I change mine every three days. Like to get any detritus out before it starts breaking down.

This is what I told the guy. It's pointless to run floss, capture stray food particles but then leave it in there for a week. It rots and becomes NO3 and PO4. He still thought it was excessive, lol.

Thanks all.

Viracon13 · Oct 15, 2016

I change both my filter socks 1-2 times a week. Unless I forget.

120reefkeeper · Oct 15, 2016

I look to see the water level in the sock. Once it's up about 3/4 to the top of the sock, I change it.

jd371 · Oct 16, 2016

Every 3-4 days, if I forget the sock overflows by the 6th day.

DBR_Reef · Oct 16, 2016

the computer- every 8 hours. me- every 3 months

Fourstars · Oct 17, 2016

I only run sock when cleaning/water change or scraping. Mechanical filtration as little as possible.

Salty1962 · Oct 17, 2016

Whenever I hear the water flowing over my sock, @ 3-4 days.

Daniel@R2R · Oct 18, 2016

Willz said:
I change mine every time I have to add RO to my top off. The reservoir is 5g and lasts about 3 days. I just do both together since I have to do one and it reminds me to do the other All the socks go to the washing machine with bleach and then dry for the next three days to go back in the tank all over again.

I like this idea. I am notorious for forgetting to change my (filter) socks. If I can just start doing it when I refill the ATO, that actually might be an easy way for me to remember.

Willz · Oct 18, 2016

mdbannister said:
I like this idea. I am notorious for forgetting to change my (filter) socks. If I can just start doing it when I refill the ATO, that actually might be an easy way for me to remember.

Now if I can just start incorporating my testing into this I'll have it made, hahah....

DBR_Reef · Oct 18, 2016

Willz said:
All the socks go to the washing machine with bleach and then dry for the next three days to go back in the tank all over again.

BTW, bleach is not the best cleaner to use with filter socks. Hydrogen peroxide or Sodium Percarbonate is a much better cleaner- bleach just removes the color. It is also harder to remove.

Willz · Oct 18, 2016

DBR_Reef said:
BTW, bleach is not the best cleaner to use with filter socks. Hydrogen peroxide or Sodium Percarbonate is a much better cleaner- bleach just removes the color. It is also harder to remove.

Bleach is cheap and easy to source and IME it does more than just change the color. It dissolves the organics and I get much better flow after bleaching. Drying for three days seems to work for me. But hey, whatever works, right?

DBR_Reef · Oct 18, 2016

Willz said:
Bleach is cheap and easy to source and IME it does more than just change the color. It dissolves the organics and I get much better flow after bleaching. Drying for three days seems to work for me. But hey, whatever works, right?

Bleach is actually pretty poor at removing organics, but it is pretty cheap and readily available. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1943735