I am thinking of implementing 2 4' filter socks in my sump.. I was curious what peoples experiences were with them catching things like copepods and other bugs. My thinking behind designing a sump is requiring the water to go through the filter socks and not around it. Just didn't really think about it until recently that they will probably catch my bugs. Is this a problem? should I make an area that allows water to flow without being stopped by a wall and forcing it through the sock?
Question about filter socks
- Thread starter Be102
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nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
if you put a fuge or chaeto section after the filter socks you don't need to worry about that. I would think of filter socks as a way to trap detritus so it doesn't get into your sump. Copepods are important, but detritus is more important. I filter everything through my filter socks, and keep chaeto with copepods in a different area. Plus, copepods really like to stay in your live rock and sand, so if you are trapping some in a filter sock, it won't wipe out your pods...
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I'm always catching bugs in my filter socks. I consider that a good sign. You really need a robust population of pods to catch any reasonable amount going back down into your sump.
nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
Dispose. No way to separate the pods from the detritus.
As Brew stated, it's a great thing if you have so many pods that you are trapping some in your socks
redfishbluefish
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My sock lasts about 4 - 5 days and when I pull it, I first flick off the pods on the outside of the sock. I'm guessing they are there to catch any small bits coming through the sock. I then turn it inside out and quickly look for anyone interested in being saved....look for the squirming. They get spooned out and put back into the tank/sump. When the mini brittle starfish are breeding, I pull them out as well. I should mention, they are mesh socks and easier to see pods.
Pongo
Active Member
My sum has all flow through the two 4" filter socks. Love/hate them.
Love the amount of detritus they catch, hate cleaning them so often.
I've got copepods and amphipods in the DT and there are pods in the socks at every cleaning.
I don't have a refugium yet, but the last time I seeded the tank with pods was mid December and still seeing a lot of them in the socks every time I clean.
Right now I've only got one melanurus wrasse that hunts the pods, so not too much pressure on them yet.
Love the amount of detritus they catch, hate cleaning them so often.
I've got copepods and amphipods in the DT and there are pods in the socks at every cleaning.
I don't have a refugium yet, but the last time I seeded the tank with pods was mid December and still seeing a lot of them in the socks every time I clean.
Right now I've only got one melanurus wrasse that hunts the pods, so not too much pressure on them yet.
Brew12
Electrical Gru
Yup, I dispose of them. I used to feel bad. Once you flush a few thousand down the drain you get used to it.
I dont pay any attention to that honestly lol. I have a love/hate relationship with filter socks anyway. They work great... but TOOOOO great. 10 minutes after I change them, they're already browning up. Cleaning, drying, rinsing in RO, storing them is a nuisance... If I had to start picking pods out of them - forget it. If you're in my filter socks when Its time to change them... you die lol.
