To Sock or Not!

[GMay]

I have read several threads in the past on this topic but I have begun to wonder again on this idea. I will post some tank picture below to show you my tank, but really want to get ideas for why or why not to use filter socks.

May tank system is approximately 65 gallons total volume. It has been running in this configuration, mostly with a few upgrades, for the past two years. This is an upgrade to a 28 gallon system, that had been running for almost two years.

Crystaline 65 Gallon Tank 36"x20"x21" Low Iron beveled edge with Durso drain #
Crystal 30 3 chamber sump 30"x12"x15" #
Eshopss S-120 Skimmer
Return Pump Sicce Multi 2500 # 715 gph
Lockline return with two out lets and VCA random flow outlets
Maxspect Razor R420R 15K LED 180 Watt Fixture
Lighting: Time Channel A Channel B
10:00 0 0 %
11:30 15 20 %
13:30 40 50 %
18:30 40 50 %
19:00 15 20 %
20:00 0 0 %
Jebao RW4 50% Else Mode
Current Eflux 50% Surge Mode
Salt is Red Sea Blue Bucket

System parameters:
Sg 1.025
NO3 ~ 1 ppm
PO4 ~ 0.048 ppm Hanna ULR test.
Ca 420 ppm
Temp. 78 Celsius

I recently added Cheatomorpha to the sump and is lighted with a 150 W Grow Star LED grow light that is on from 22:00 to 7:00.

I recently removed my filter socks to see how my system would perform, but also would like to hear from others what their experiences were.

Tank Pics are from today.

These three pictures are a panorama of the tank and provide a good indication of the critters it has. There are only 3 fish in the tank, as I have a focus on the the invertebrates. There are also 3 peppermint shrimp, a few snails and hermit crabs.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks and happy reefing.

 

[marvelousone]

Very nice tank. Everything looks healthy. I run socks to help filter out debris. I do try to change them out before they get full and stop up. I have ran with and without. No problems with running them.

 

[GMay]

Thanks for the complement.

I have been running the socks and changing twice a week, it is not really a problem, but if I could eliminate this step, it would OK with me. I also use a filter pad in my sump that I change twice a week, so I already have a particulate filter in place. Feel like it is a belt and suspenders thing.

 

[CindyKz]

I quit using them a while back. I've seen no change in nitrate levels. Increased feeders on my LPS and they generally seem plumper and happier without the socks. No real impact either way on my few SPS corals.

I do put a sock in for a few hours on water change day since I'm stirring things up.

HTH.

 

[mtraylor]

Its a personal preference. I used to never run them and my water clarity was not as good as it is now. You will have more detritus build up in sump. Extra food etc will settle down there. You can go either way. I like using them personally. Im trying the nylon ones now. They grab extra food and some detritus. Not as good as the sock kind, but you have allot longer between changing them out. Changing the nylon ones out is basically rinsing them and putting them back in the sump. No more washing machine.

 

[User1]

Personal preference of course. Mine is to run without - so I don't. Why? More stuff to perform maintenance on and I really try to limit that for many reasons. Most important one is if I travel or go on vacation - one less thing for people to take care of.

 

[DSC reef]

I prefer socks. Keeps the sump clean and less pump cleanings. Trying the red sea nylon socks, 225 micron, loving them so far.

 

[Dickeybrazil]

I'm going with Triton , so no sock.

 

[Brisay01]

I realize this is probably a rookie question , but if you don’t use filter socks , what happens to all the fish waste/detritus that usually builds up in the socks ? I thought the idea of socks was to manually remove the detritus from the system in order to keep nutrient levels low ?

 

[srm077]

I run 100 micron and switch them every 3 days or so. If we are entertaining at our home I will switch to 50 micron and switch them daily for a few days before the party. I can notice a difference when I run the 50's but they need to be switched daily.

 

[Denisk]

Your tank looks fantastic! I don’t run a sock as that’s just another thing I would need to maintain.

Some people run it to filter out all the tiny particles/debris floating around. Some people do it if their system doesnt have any nutrients. That way leaving it in will help raise No3 and po4.

 

[andrewkw]

I run socks because it keeps the water clear/clean. I have a barebottom tank so I try and limit (but not eliminate) detritus accumulation. Also out of all the things that need cleaning for a reef tank filter socks are by far the easiest imo. I'm always surprised to see so many "filter sock alternative" ideas. Yes foam/floss is cheap but filter socks will last years with weekly washings. Throw in some bleach and into the washing machine they still come out white years later. When the cycle is done I take them out dry them and they're ready to use again.

 

[GMay]

Your tank looks fantastic! I don’t run a sock as that’s just another thing I would need to maintain.

Some people run it to filter out all the tiny particles/debris floating around. Some people do it if their system doesnt have any nutrients. That way leaving it in will help raise No3 and po4.

Thanks for the complement on the tank. It has been two years in the making.

 

[Ted_C]

I run socks for two or three main reasons:
1: the expected export of the bulkier fish poo that's not skimmed (and of course keeping the sump clean)
2: When siphoning the bare bottom of the display - I can keep everything running and siphon directly into the filter sock.
3: running carbon and GFO - I dont need to pre-rinse my reactors or the media. The output can be directed back to the filter sock. No fines make it back into the water column.

I change my socks out every 2 to 2 1/2 days on both my 150 and 300 (both running two socks each).

I wash them once a week in the washer (I can fit 12 socks in a 5 gallon bucket soaking in bleach). The wash is one run inside out w/ bleach. one run right side out with OxyClean and one run right side out with plain water. They sit on the porch for a day air-drying.

I have about 40 socks on hand and buy new ones maybe once a year.

 

[madweazl]

No sock for me; they just trap food for other critters.

 

[Jeepguy242]

I put them in when I want to polish the water usually for 2-3 days then I run without them for a week or 2

Hen when I see a bunch of particles floating around I put them back in

 

[Jr'sReef]

The amount of stuff collected in a sock after 5 days is impressive. If you don’t use socks where does all that accumulate? Theoretically In a month you have 6 socks worth of waste in the tank or am I missing something

 

[Carl C]

I have read several threads in the past on this topic but I have begun to wonder again on this idea. I will post some tank picture below to show you my tank, but really want to get ideas for why or why not to use filter socks.

May tank system is approximately 65 gallons total volume. It has been running in this configuration, mostly with a few upgrades, for the past two years. This is an upgrade to a 28 gallon system, that had been running for almost two years.

Crystaline 65 Gallon Tank 36"x20"x21" Low Iron beveled edge with Durso drain #
Crystal 30 3 chamber sump 30"x12"x15" #
Eshopss S-120 Skimmer
Return Pump Sicce Multi 2500 # 715 gph
Lockline return with two out lets and VCA random flow outlets
Maxspect Razor R420R 15K LED 180 Watt Fixture
Lighting: Time Channel A Channel B
10:00 0 0 %
11:30 15 20 %
13:30 40 50 %
18:30 40 50 %
19:00 15 20 %
20:00 0 0 %
Jebao RW4 50% Else Mode
Current Eflux 50% Surge Mode
Salt is Red Sea Blue Bucket

System parameters:
Sg 1.025
NO3 ~ 1 ppm
PO4 ~ 0.048 ppm Hanna ULR test.
Ca 420 ppm
Temp. 78 Celsius

I recently added Cheatomorpha to the sump and is lighted with a 150 W Grow Star LED grow light that is on from 22:00 to 7:00.

I recently removed my filter socks to see how my system would perform, but also would like to hear from others what their experiences were.

Tank Pics are from today.

These three pictures are a panorama of the tank and provide a good indication of the critters it has. There are only 3 fish in the tank, as I have a focus on the the invertebrates. There are also 3 peppermint shrimp, a few snails and hermit crabs.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks and happy reefing.

pretty tank

 

[Carl C]

I have read several threads in the past on this topic but I have begun to wonder again on this idea. I will post some tank picture below to show you my tank, but really want to get ideas for why or why not to use filter socks.

May tank system is approximately 65 gallons total volume. It has been running in this configuration, mostly with a few upgrades, for the past two years. This is an upgrade to a 28 gallon system, that had been running for almost two years.

Crystaline 65 Gallon Tank 36"x20"x21" Low Iron beveled edge with Durso drain #
Crystal 30 3 chamber sump 30"x12"x15" #
Eshopss S-120 Skimmer
Return Pump Sicce Multi 2500 # 715 gph
Lockline return with two out lets and VCA random flow outlets
Maxspect Razor R420R 15K LED 180 Watt Fixture
Lighting: Time Channel A Channel B
10:00 0 0 %
11:30 15 20 %
13:30 40 50 %
18:30 40 50 %
19:00 15 20 %
20:00 0 0 %
Jebao RW4 50% Else Mode
Current Eflux 50% Surge Mode
Salt is Red Sea Blue Bucket

System parameters:
Sg 1.025
NO3 ~ 1 ppm
PO4 ~ 0.048 ppm Hanna ULR test.
Ca 420 ppm
Temp. 78 Celsius

I recently added Cheatomorpha to the sump and is lighted with a 150 W Grow Star LED grow light that is on from 22:00 to 7:00.

I recently removed my filter socks to see how my system would perform, but also would like to hear from others what their experiences were.

Tank Pics are from today.

These three pictures are a panorama of the tank and provide a good indication of the critters it has. There are only 3 fish in the tank, as I have a focus on the the invertebrates. There are also 3 peppermint shrimp, a few snails and hermit crabs.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks and happy reefing.

FABULOUS PICS

 

[GMay]

Thanks.