The heck with it, im going sockless!!

flagg37 · May 24, 2017

I use mine sparsely. I'll stir up my refugium every couple weeks or so and throw in my socks for the day. Otherwise I'm sock free.

KingJason · May 25, 2017

I've been running sockless for at least the last 7 years. I got lazy at some point and then just gave them up. I have high nutrients but it never affected health or growth.

I did build my new sump with the idea of going back and using them. New sump has 5 so hopefully I can get away with changing them less frequently and making it not such a bother.

Stugots · May 25, 2017

Sockless, topless and bare bottom is my preference.

flagg37 · May 25, 2017

Stugots said:
Sockless, topless and bare bottom is my preference.

Lol. That's great.

Now we just need pics to prove it.

Debramb · May 25, 2017

My 2 cents, I read a study about fishless coral reefs and those w/fish. It seems the organic matter from fish makes the corals healthier and more vibrant. Not sure if it was the Great Barrier Reef or not. We had a drip tray sump since 89' and just upgraded to 100gal, 20gl sump with no socks. I appreciate all your feedback.

Ty Hamatake · May 25, 2017

At this point, I'm convinced my socks are the only thing keeping my nutrients above zero. I've been going three and sometimes four weeks in my attempt to do so. I recently got a couple more fish though, so it may be necessary to up the change schedule.

atoll · May 25, 2017

najer said:
My latest upgrade is 18 months old now, I have never run socks.
I have a large refugium and I run 2 socking oxydators, my water is always crystal clear.

Which is exactly what I have been doing as I think you may know with lots of benefit to my system. I don't use any mechanical filtration apart from a skimmer. I also run an ATS.

jeffrey holloway · May 25, 2017

I can't get past the fact that every time I change my filter socks, every two days, all the different crap the socks catches and removes. No water changes and no filter socks seems to work for some. I enjoy doing both.

lou dog420 · May 25, 2017

My corals look happier after only 24 hours of running sockless

lou dog420 · May 25, 2017

Now if I could just get rid of this bubble algae and aptasia

dreamsr · May 25, 2017

Chris Harbaugh said:
I have never used a sock in either of my refugium. I have 2. I have a huge population of amphipodes, copepodes, bristle worms, featherdusters, and spaghetti worms, along with brittle stars, hermit crabs and snails in my refugiums. I have a constant flow of particles in my tanks and my goniopora's along with all my other corals look great. I do use a turkey baster and stir up my r efugiums every 2 to 3 weeks but I enjoy actually watching my r efugiums as much as I watch my tanks.

I'm new to this, am trying to learn enough for when I start my tank next winter. Can you please tell me what a refugium is?

lou dog420 · May 25, 2017

dreamsr said:
I'm new to this, am trying to learn enough for when I start my tank next winter. Can you please tell me what a refugium is?

Refugium is a section of a sump where you grow macro algae. It provides a safe place for pods to reproduce and that in turn provides a constant supply of live food to your fish. The algae is also harvested providing a means of nutrient export. I typically remove about a 2 gallon bucket full of chaeto every 2 weeks.

aabjones888 · May 25, 2017

I'm sockless, but I have to vacuum out the sump every so often.

dreamsr · May 25, 2017

lou dog420 said:
Refugium is a section of a sump where you grow macro algae. It provides a safe place for pods to reproduce and that in turn provides a constant supply of live food to your fish. The algae is also harvested providing a means of nutrient export. I typically remove about a 2 gallon bucket full of chaeto every 2 weeks.

Could you also grow it right in the main tank?

Shelby · May 25, 2017

What an interesting thread! I do use a sock and unfortunately am not at all diligent about cleaning it regularly. Maybe once a month I'll switch it out. I don't have any issue with high nitrates or phosphates and my tank water is pretty clear.

One interesting note: when I changed it out last and turned it inside out to clean, I found at least four dozen (I counted) copepods in there! Some were huge as far as copepods go. I picked them off and dumped them all back in the tank for my mandarin.

Reef_Tank_Fan_SC · May 25, 2017

I was thinking about removing socks from my build also but then I had to ask myself 2 questions. 1. Will the filter pad that I use pushed in between my bubble trap catch enough of the big particles and 2. How will I get the water to run through my carbon bag effectively. I have a corner stand so right now I don't have room for a big sump and therefore I have no carbon reactor. What are your thoughts on these two points guys?

lou dog420 · May 25, 2017

Shelby said:
What an interesting thread! I do use a sock and unfortunately am not at all diligent about cleaning it regularly. Maybe once a month I'll switch it out. I don't have any issue with high nitrates or phosphates and my tank water is pretty clear.

One interesting note: when I changed it out last and turned it inside out to clean, I found at least four dozen (I counted) copepods in there! Some were huge as far as copepods go. I picked them off and dumped them all back in the tank for my mandarin.

They were probably amphipods

lou dog420 · May 25, 2017

Reef_Tank_Fan_SC said:
I was thinking about removing socks from my build also but then I had to ask myself 2 questions. 1. Will the filter pad that I use pushed in between my bubble trap catch enough of the big particles and 2. How will I get the water to run through my carbon bag effectively. I have a corner stand so right now I don't have room for a big sump and therefore I have no carbon reactor. What are your thoughts on these two points guys?

Do you have a skimmer?

Chris Harbaugh · May 25, 2017

dreamsr said:
I'm new to this, am trying to learn enough for when I start my tank next winter. Can you please tell me what a refugium is?

It's a natural filtration system. I use cheto algae and a in tank protein skimmer as my main 2 filtration. I do low dosing NoPox because I want my nitrates to stay elevated between 5ppm and 10ppm. Just Google it.. you can always buy books about aquarium filtration also, that's how I learned to make mine, reading lots of books.especially books written by Mr Fenner, Mr. Sprung, Mr. Delbreek, and many more.

Ty Hamatake · May 25, 2017

dreamsr said:
Could you also grow it right in the main tank?

There are some macros that look good, but for nutrient export you want fast growers like chaeto (looks like a big green hairball) that probably wouldn't be suitable to have in most displays.