Reef Diapers: Just sharing

[Auquanut]

So, I won a starter pack of Reef Diapers during the R2R Toys for Kids campaign. This was amazing for me, as I NEVER win ANYTHING! Kris Yates @Reef Diaper told me he looked forward to hearing how I liked them, so I figured I'd share my opinion with everyone. Oh, by the way, I use two 4" socks in the 36-gallon sump of my 125-gallon mixed reef.

The starter pack came with two 4" collars and 10 diapers. The collars seem very sturdy, and the rubber rings hold the diapers securely in my standard sock holders. It seems like after a few washings, some of my traditional filter socks would get loose and tend to float upward when changed. The collars come apart easily, and hold the diapers securely. I can't say how well the collars will stand the test of time, but as I said, they seem very sturdy.

I was concerned about the diapers themselves. They are very light and nearly see-through. Wasn't sure they would be as effective as the socks.

I test NO3 and PO4 at least twice a month and like to keep Nitrates below 10 and Phosphates below 0.1 in my mixed reef. I figured that if I started to see a rise in either or both, I would go back to the socks. I also changed out socks every three days fairly religiously.

So here is what I've seen so far:
After the first three days, I noticed there was not much discoloration on the sides of the diapers. I'm used to nastiness on the sides of the socks. I did notice when I pulled the diapers out of the sump that there was quite a bit of crap stuff in the bottom of the diapers. I also noticed that because the diapers are pleated, they seem to kind of open up as they fill with crap stuff, providing more surface area. I really enjoyed throwing those first diapers right into the trash instead of the sock bucket.

I ordered more diapers and have been using them for about 10 weeks now. I haven't noticed any increase in NO3 or PO4. In fact my nitrates have started decreasing noticeably (can't necessarily attribute this to the diapers, but I do). Phosphates seem to stay rock solid regardless of what I do. I've started feeding the corals more often, and am not as concerned about changing out the diapers quite as religiously.

Bottom line: The diapers cost me about a buck apiece. I'm spending +/- $5 a week to use these things. I didn't have to buy the collars, so not sure what the initial cost would be. Gotta say that I still enjoy throwing these thing straight into the trash instead of the bucket and my wife appreciates not having the socks in the washer. I also like knowing that each set of diapers I use will be as clean and effective as the last. Some of my socks are over 3 years old and pretty furry. For now, I'm happy with the results I've seen and am more than willing to invest the 5 bucks a week.

DISCLAIMER: If circumstances change i.e.... prices go up dramatically, a collar breaks, parameters shift, etc... I still have a big bucket of clean socks to fall back on.

 

[RedReefer]

I love not having to wash filter socks. Much safer, no cross contamination. I use and will continue to use reef diaper.

 

[Auquanut]

Yeah. My old back appreciates not stooping over the deep sink, prepping the nasty socks before they go into the washer.

 

[Sean Clark]

Thanks for the review.

 

[Drendo]

I use a pair of 7 inch 300 micron socks for my 210 system. Would these work?

 

[Auquanut]

I use a pair of 7 inch 300 micron socks for my 210 system. Would these work?

Are those the nylon socks, or felt? Some people swear by the nylon socks. They're much easier to clean, but it seemed to me that they weren't as effective as felt. I'm sure others will have differing opinions.

 

[TheHunterYall]

I am loving the diapers as well. I have 2 4”
, been using for like 4 weeks now. My klirs are relegated to vacation mode. Go they the rolls really fast.

 

[Nick Steele]

I hate to be this person but wouldn’t the socks be the more environmentally friend version of this? Buying and replacing so often seems like a little bit much. When as you said you got socks 3+ years old.

Our hobby already bashed enough for its environmental impact imo.

 

[Auquanut]

I hate to be this person but wouldn’t the socks be the more environmentally friend version of this? Buying and replacing so often seems like a little bit much. When as you said you got socks 3+ years old.

Our hobby already bashed enough for its environmental impact imo.

You make a very good point. I considered this as well. But then I thought about the socks themselves. I really should have been replacing them more often. Then you have to consider the hot water, electricity and bleach used to wash the socks and the fact that the diapers themselves are a miniscule part of our weekly waste. I honestly couldn't say if using the diapers is ultimately better or worse for the environment than using socks.

 

[TheHunterYall]

I hate to be this person but wouldn’t the socks be the more environmentally friend version of this? Buying and replacing so often seems like a little bit much. When as you said you got socks 3+ years old.

Our hobby already bashed enough for its environmental impact imo.

Probably same as roller fleece. Not sure about fleece trash vs. water/energy to clean socks but maybe a wash (pun intended)

 

[flashsmith]

When is the RS version going to be available?

 

[Nick Steele]

You make a very good point. I considered this as well. But then I thought about the socks themselves. I really should have been replacing them more often. Then you have to consider the hot water, electricity and bleach used to wash the socks and the fact that the diapers themselves are a miniscule part of our weekly waste. I honestly couldn't say if using the diapers is ultimately better or worse for the environment than using socks.

Probably same as roller fleece. Not sure about fleece trash vs. water/energy to clean socks but maybe a wash (pun intended)

Both good points was just a thought that went through my mind when I read this. Another reason I don’t use fleece rollers or filter floss anymore though just use rock to filter particles out.

 

[RedReefer]

Filter socks:

I will have to say, using hot water, bleach, washing twice to make sure everything‘s out. I used to soak the clean filter socks in prime overnight just to make sure there was no leftover chlorine. I can 100% tell you that it’s much cheaper, safer “, and energy efficient.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

When is the RS version going to be available?

Did I miss the 5oclock free diaper give away!

 

[albano]

On my 500g tank, the filter socks are filthy in 1 day, so it is changed daily.
The couple of times that I substituted the diapers, they collected almost nothing in a week and ballooned out to 2-3x their size. What good is that? I have a mostly softy tank with about 50 fish that I feed (over feed) multiple times a day…I have almost 100 socks (for 2 systems) so I only need to wash them about every 2 months.

 

[Auquanut]

The couple of times that I substituted the diapers, they collected almost nothing in a week and ballooned out to 2-3x their size.

I kind of expected the same thing. Haven't had a problem yet but like I said, I have clean socks in case circumstance change.

 

[Reef Diaper]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I'm glad to hear the Reef Diaper is working so well for you.

The filter material used for the Reef Diaper collects the waste on the surface as opposed to a felt sock which captures waste within the filter material. The amount of waste captured by the Reef Diaper may not be as apparent because it is spread out over a larger surface area. Some of the waste also collects in the bottom of the sock as you noted. As the Reef Diaper becomes clogged the pleats will expand and expose even more filter area. An expanded filter element is a clear indicator that the filter is working and waste is being collected. Thanks for writing your review based on the overall performance and not just the visual appearance.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I'm glad to hear the Reef Diaper is working so well for you.

The filter material used for the Reef Diaper collects the waste on the surface as opposed to a felt sock which captures waste within the filter material. The amount of waste captured by the Reef Diaper may not be as apparent because it is spread out over a larger surface area. Some of the waste also collects in the bottom of the sock as you noted. As the Reef Diaper becomes clogged the pleats will expand and expose even more filter area. An expanded filter element is a clear indicator that the filter is working and waste is being collected. Thanks for writing your review based on the overall performance and not just the visual appearance.

Very nice, do you happen to know if 7" diapers are in the works? I'd love to try this product!

 

[Ober_Reef]

I switched over to a cup and poly-fill a while back because I was tired of washing socks. It’s one of the best decisions I have ever made when it comes to my tank in my opinion, I would be more than will to try the diapers if they were more beneficial. Where is the best place to purchase this product ?

 

[Reef Diaper]

Very nice, do you happen to know if 7" diapers are in the works? I'd love to try this product!

We don't have any immediate plans for a 7" sock. We might make a 7" version in the future, but this will require new tooling and a lot of time. For a short term solution we created an adapter for our 4” filters. It obviously will have a much lower capacity and will only work for systems with light bio-loads. We are adding a shopping cart to our website now and the adapters will be available very soon.