How often should I be changing my filter floss?

[Peekay]

Pretty, basic question, but how often should I be changing out my filter floss? And is a good rinse and wring good enough or should I run it through the wash?

 

[brandon429]

the truth is it doesn't matter much. any waste folks are critical over in the sock or floss area is ninefold in their sandbed sitting there month after month, its personal pref on changing out catch material.

 

[dmy535]

Is the floss your main water line filter? Meaning, the water enters your sump and flows through this gloss first? Or, is it to help micro bubbles in the last chamber?

 

[JohnnyBlowfish]

I change mine weekly.

 

[Peekay]

Is the floss your main water line filter? Meaning, the water enters your sump and flows through this gloss first? Or, is it to help micro bubbles in the last chamber?

It's in the first chamber, so, it's the first part of my mechanical filtration.

 

[Peekay]

the truth is it doesn't matter much. any waste folks are critical over in the sock or floss area is ninefold in their sandbed sitting there month after month, its personal pref on changing out catch material.

I see your point for sure, I was worried about waste build up there and impacting water chemistry, but to your point, the sandbed is probably a lot worse off and contributes more to the nitrate levels than the old floss would?

 

[dmy535]

I’d say preference really. I do 3-5 days. Usually see the water backing up then I know it’s time to change. If nitrates a phosphate get out of control then more often will help. Just depends how you want to run your tank

 

[Azedenkae]

Pretty, basic question, but how often should I be changing out my filter floss? And is a good rinse and wring good enough or should I run it through the wash?

I don't have them in my first chamber anymore, but back when I did, I would just rinse them every 2-4 days or so to get rid of the detritus, then put it back in. I only change the floss maybe once every 3 weeks or so. But it also depends on the quality of the filter floss, etc.

 

[Peekay]

I don't have them in my first chamber anymore, but back when I did, I would just rinse them every 2-4 days or so to get rid of the detritus, then put it back in. I only change the floss maybe once every 3 weeks or so. But it also depends on the quality of the filter floss, etc

What did you change to?

 

[Azedenkae]

What did you change to?

To none. XD

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I dont normally use filters, and if I do I change it daily. It looks disgusting after just one day, I would never leave that in my tank all week.

 

[MichaelReefer]

When I used filter floss cups I had to switch mine out about every 3 days or they clogged up.

 

[Super Fly]

I replace them weekly, just toss old floss into garbage and replace w new. Hated cleaning socks.

 

[Trouble1375]

I HATE filter socks but when I was using just the filter floss I was changing it nearly daily. I added filter socks and now I change those out every 2 days and the floss once a week. I run fairly free of mechanical filtration of any variety. 125 gallon running dual 30 gallon sumps. One sump has an algae scrubber in the refugium section and the other one has just rubble rock and a small bag of activated charcoal in the refugium section. Both have a sock first to catch most of the food, detrius, etc that comes down then goes through refugium, then the filter floss right before the return pump. I feed fairly heavy and a decently stocked mixed reef. 20ish fish, CUC and corals ranging from softies to SPS. I can't keep Xenias or Duncans alive for the life of me but the rest of my tank is very happy.