tell me about your socks

[GHill762]

Just looking for some feedback on your experiences with different kinds of socks..do you prefer mesh or felt? why?

also, 200 micron seems to be the most common, but there are a few 100 microns out there, anyone use 100 micron?

I didn't use any kind of floss, socks, etc on my last tank, and always had detritus in the sump. I had a sock, just didn't use it because with only one it was too much trouble to change out and clean on a regular basis. I'm hoping to keep up on sock changes with my new tank so I'm considering buying a handful of new socks to start a good rotation.. I have one sock and just having one makes it too difficult to change, clean, etc.. so if I have half a dozen I'm more likely to keep using them..

are there advantages to the mesh?

also, does it matter what brand of socks I buy? A 4" plastic rimmed sock is a 4" plastic rimmed sock, right? I was considering buying the BRS socks..

Thanks,
Garrett

 

[zooman]

Go with the 200 micron socks. The 100's Will fill to quickly. Buy a dozen and wash them. I use bleach and water on the sanitize cycle and then do one extra rise in the same cycle with nothing added. Good luck.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Without a doubt, mesh. Felt it too difficult to clean. With mesh I just put them under running water while rubbing fabric to fabric….done! Maybe every year or so I soak a bunch in a little bleach to make them squeaky clean and white.

Most of my socks are 200. I think I have one or two 150’s. I also use the big socks….7 inch diameter with the hard plastic ring. Need to change them out about once a week.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Interesting....

 

[robbrouse]

I have tried both. The mesh would are not very effective IMO.. I have 6 felt and 3 mess. When all the felt one get dirty they go in the wash with a CAP full of bleach.. A felt one runs one day then back to the felt. I do rinse my twice. Been doing this for two years, works for me.

 

[cdness]

I use DIY felt socks made with the felt from Walmart. They are the same size as a typical 4" sock without the plastic ring on the top. I can make about 25 socks for $10-15 and a little time. I make sure I have lots as when they need cleaning I would just toss them in the washer on their own and run them through a cycle with a little bleach. Then I manually rinse them in tap water and let them air dry.

With that said, I do not have them on my 125 as I haven't made a new sock holder. Without the ring it is a little more difficult to get them to stay put. I am planning on adding them this winter though.

 

[robbrouse]

Cdness, that's a good idea.. How do you attach them to your sump?

 

[HoaglandDiver]

I use 2 x 200 felt socks.. I find that the mesh led to microbubbles being sent back into DT.. if you buy socks from MFG or Distributor, you can get good pricing if you purch in bulk.. I order 50 at a time and they last me 4yrs plus.

 

[shred5]

Mesh they are so much easier to work with. Felt are so hard to clean and really stiff.
most of the time I do not use them only during cleaning. I have a settling chamber I vacuum out with a wet dry when doing water changes.

 

[Senior El Roboto]

oh and too add to this subject on socks and in the washer.
if you have dogs or cats as i do. i found just throwing them in the washer will pick up any excess hair in washer. put the socks in an old pillow case. tie it up and toss it in.

 

[Dowtish]

I have used both and the mesh clogs up not quite as fast but not long enough to be better. I honestly feel like I should be changing them out more often than I do. I prefer the the felt as they do a better job IMO.

 

[larangcon]

I use felt, gets clogged up quick but to me, felts works better than mesh, only draw back it has to be cleaned frequently than mesh.

 

[Wrx5803]

I use the felt and seems to work well. I clean mine in a container of hydrogen peroxide. I rince them well before and then toss them into a container with a lide for a day or 2 thrn just remove and rince well. The peroxide leaves them very clean without the worry of bleach.
I have also read on a forum that peroxide actually breaks down the algea and junk in the sock not just remove the color from it.

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

100 microns def fill too quick I have to clean mine easy once a week! Going to pick up some 200s

 

[GHill762]

I use the felt and seems to work well. I clean mine in a container of hydrogen peroxide. I rince them well before and then toss them into a container with a lide for a day or 2 thrn just remove and rince well. The peroxide leaves them very clean without the worry of bleach.
I have also read on a forum that peroxide actually breaks down the algea and junk in the sock not just remove the color from it.

that's interesting..

 

[jedimasterben]

Don't need no stinkin' socks.

(except when stirring anything up, then I run a 1 micron felt sock for a while til it clears up)

 

[Tylermacdonald15]

I think the felt takes more out of the water, but they fill so quickly and start over flowing. So unless you want to be changing it daily or have the option to have 3 or 4 socks running at a time I would go with mesh. I only use on sock, for the longest time I used felt. They are such a pain to clean. I then switch to no socks and my sump was a filthy mess so I started using mesh. They are the perfect in between IMO. They won't take everything out, but they do take out the big and medium particles and keep your sump clean and a good skimmer will pick off everything it doesn't catch. The best part about the mesh is they don't clog up with stuff. I clean mine once a week, I could go longer if I wanted.

 

[Daimyo68]

I use 25micron felt socks, changed out every 2nd day, rinsed out and hung to dry back in rotation. Bleach them every 6 months. I could let them go for 3-4 days max, at which point the level of water in them starts to rise in the sock, and can also be seen in the external overflow (BA system).

 

[sunshinereefer]

I like mesh..felt for me is clogged in a day or two and cleaning is painful for felt..and I DO NOT have the permission to wash the socks in our washer

I ran the tank without socks for 1 1/2 year and it clogged my reactors and the sump collected lot of gunk and built up nitrates..wish someone would invent something much easier than socks