To sock, or not to sock...

[Neo Jeo]

By not using them, lol [emoji6]

I've found turning them inside out and flushing with a decent water pressure clears a bunch of the crap out. Then put them in the washer with sodium percarbonite and a hot water wash, rinse twice. This gets them pretty clean.

Do you use this: https://www.amazon.com/99-PURE-Sodium-Percarbonate-peroxyhydrate/dp/B01ETY478S#customerReviews

It seems that it just removes stains.. Does it kill like bleach kills?

 

[paphater]

I have read that there might be detergent left over from last wash. You think this can cause a problem?

I've never noticed anything. I usually run carbon pretty consistently through the winter though just on the off chance.

 

[Neo Jeo]

I've never noticed anything. I usually run carbon pretty consistently through the winter though just on the off chance.

Ok and why just the carbon in the winter?

 

[DSC reef]

I like running socks to keep the sump clean. It will come down to personal preference in the end. No wrong or right way to run your reef tank, only your way. What works for some might not work for others. I personally would never run a tank without a skimmer but many people do without incident. I see no cons with running a skimmer. If you run socks then make sure there cleaned often, we change ours every 2 days and water is kept crystal clear. If you don't want to wash socks or don't have time then I'd suggest not using them. Just started using using the red sea 225 micron fine mesh and all they require is a rinse in the sink, no washing machine needed. We love them.

 

[paphater]

Ok and why just the carbon in the winter?

During the rest of the year I'll usually run carbon for a week or two and then run with out it for 3-4 weeks. In the winter when I change it out I just load it back up.

 

[Neo Jeo]

During the rest of the year I'll usually run carbon for a week or two and then run with out it for 3-4 weeks. In the winter when I change it out I just load it back up.

But why specifically in the winter? Any reason not in the summer?

 

[Fourstars]

I use the mesh type not felt. I soak then in light bleach solution. Rinse then inside out, and air dry

 

[TheReefNoob]

I only install mine on maintenance day. Then remove the next morning

I can see that too... Thanks for the info

 

[paphater]

But why specifically in the winter? Any reason not in the summer?

I don't think you need to run it consistently. I mainly run it to pull any yellowing pigments out of the water.

 

[carbene]

i run my 180gal without filter sock and skimmer but i have a wavemaker in my sump to keep detritus from settling down though.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I don't use socks because I know I wouldn't be able to keep up with cleaning them. I have a good skimmer, a fuge, and I run ozone. My water is sparkling clean and clear without them. My sump does have some detritus, but that can be removed with a shop vac easy enough.

 

[anit77]

Do you use this: https://www.amazon.com/99-PURE-Sodium-Percarbonate-peroxyhydrate/dp/B01ETY478S#customerReviews

It seems that it just removes stains.. Does it kill like bleach kills?

I use this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OKNY8ME/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_gBqKAbHWGRET8

Yes, bleach kills. It's a very good sanitizer, through oxidation, but any of the gunk stuck in the felt is just "bleached" white. It's still there just white. Sodium precarbonate is also an oxidizer, so it kills as well, but it also breaks down the junk so it rinses out easier.

Google "filter sock sodium precarbonate". There are several threads out there.

 

[polyppal]

I only run a sock if I need to remove debris after a good cleaning or moving rocks around.

+1

 

[Forsaken77]

Hey Guys,

I know this can bring up a heated debate with some. But from what I have read and other reefers feedback. That the community is 50/50 on this topic. I just need a little help making that jump on running no socks in my sump/system. I really want to include a refugium in my sump. But the only way to do so is removing my filter sock hold and water baffle from my sump and moving my protein skimmer in it's place. So my protein skimmer chamber will be my new refugium. I have very limited space in my sump, here is my current layout below... Any other thoughts of what I can do.

Thanks...

You could always use a macro reactor as well. I don't get why people wouldn't want to use any mechanical filtration, the only filtration that will remove detritus. Yes, your skimmer will pull out roughly 30% of the detritus, but you could also have something that will get caught in the skimmer impeller, breaking it, and making your skimmer maintenance rise dramatically.

Not only do I use socks, but I use 50 micron so it catches nearly everything. Especially when you're scraping algae off the glass.

Also, chaeto gets covered in gunk WITH a sock. I can't even imagine how bad it would be without a sock.

 

[anit77]

I would say use a sock for the 1st year to 1.5yrs or so with a new build. As it matures, and more coral is added, the system is better equipped to handle nutrients and the coral with thrive without a sock. From there only use one when you want to polish the water or when you stir things up while cleaning.

Sometimes when I add phyto right after lights out I'll stir the sump up real well and let all the detritus blow through the system. Other times I suck it out with a pump and blow the output through a sock I hang over the sump. The nice thing about that is it can be done anytime so I can concentrate on the display when doing water changes. I also try to blow off all the live rock in the entire system at least once a week.

 

[User1]

No socks, barefoot, and pregnant. Ok, just kidding on the barefoot and pregnant bit but no. No filter socks. Many reasons already stated but my primary reason for not running them is because it is additional maintenance that would be required. I'm already a lazy reefer and I know darn well that I would procrastinate day after day and they would never get cleaned. Seriously, I know what my weaknesses are so there is no way I'd add them. In fact, it is one reason my skimmer may be the next target of my removing maintenance tasks to make my life simpler.

Here is the kicker though. There are plenty of people who use them with success. I'm going to say that is probably because they pay more attention to detail, OCD, better organized, and any host of other things that successful people have in common. I, on the other hand, am not said person. So no socks for me and so went my vote.

 

[mmw64]

What is the best way to clean shocks?

I run mine through the washing machine. No detergent, just a little bleach and set it to do an extra rinse. Then let them air dry.