Well, I did it. Socks are out.

[MichaelReefer]

It really isn't a matter of them doing better without socks....it has to do with them doing better with increased nutrients I run a low nutrient system and run socks......but I control nutrient levels by heavy feeding and livestock in addition to the skimmer and socks.

The problem I was having is Cyano, I run GFO and it was because I was a heavy feeder.I got it tamed back by feeding less and running the GFO. I dont get how some people can feed so heavy and not get cyano problems. Luckily I only ever get it on the sand. I actually had a Cyano spike yesterday, I suspect because of no socks now.

 

[saltyhog]

It really isn't a matter of them doing better without socks....it has to do with them doing better with increased nutrients I run a low nutrient system and run socks......but I control nutrient levels by heavy feeding and livestock in addition to the skimmer and socks.

I think you're probably correct about the relationship. The weird thing is my nutrients (NO3 mainly) went down when I stopped using socks for a while. Probably because I didn't change them very often.

 

[MasterReef]

This thread was very helpful at keeping me undecided!
I'm planning on re-plumbing my 210 gallon next week and I think I will experiment with no socks. Partially because I can't find the tub of filter socks that I had in the garage (probably tossed out while I was out of town), and partially because changing filter socks every couple of days sucks. Not to mention cleaning them. I think if this experiment goes poorly I'll invest in a filter roller or maybe DIY something.

 

[Victor_C3]

I’m starting my current system with an oversized sump and no mechanical filtration whatsoever - no skimmer, no socks, nothing. I only have a media bag sitting passively in the return section.

My intent is to improve coral health by having a large and robust ecosystem in my sump to both filter everything and process waste by biological means and to provide a variety of ancillary food items to the display tank.

In my previous systems, I frequently ignored my filter socks. After a few days, they’d get clogged and overflow for a week or three until I felt motivated enough to clean them. The same with my skimmer, but not quite that bad.

 

[kyleinpdx]

I'm running my new build without socks, I can run either sponge/floss or socks, might switch to some floss if I notice significant detritus build up. A quick google suggests copepod sizes avg. 1-2mm, 100micons is .1mm. I want all the micro-fauna I can get.

 

[Justin Swinney]

I ran no socks for like six months. Cleaning detritus out of the sump is not something I want to do routinely so I’ll stick to socks

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

No socks here! Fuge, skimmer, and 1/4 cup rox every month. I also do a 10% water change monthly to clean some sand or sump area. My sps are doing great. No3 and po4 undetectable. And I’m feeding five times per day.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

I took my socks out 2 months ago and my tank hasn’t looked better. I have almost no detritus in my sump, I’ve been feeding more and more and seems like my nitrate and phosphate are staying steady at 10-20 and .02-.06. I think my socks caught a bunch of junk and was breaking down before I got to them. Without them it’s been amazing.

 

[MichaelReefer]

So good so far for me. I've noticed my hammers and torches are much more full. I have been dosing Phytoplankton every day to the sump and the tank, turning off the skimmer and return for about an hour. Trying to get my Copepod population really going.

 

[Bryknicks]

I stopped using socks on my mixed reef about 7 months ago and have not looked back. I would change my socks twice a week as needed when I ran them. Since removing them my nutrients have gone down a little and stay put. My coral seem to be happier as well. I will say my system has always been a low n nutrient system on its own, not by design. So as stated earlier in this thread, that could be a reason why its beneficial.

 

[Tek_Diver]

Going had rather go swimming naked than go sockless....I just think of all the nastyness that gets pulled out .....I guess that the skimmer would get it if the socks didn't...

 

[kevin_e]

Running sockless wasnt good for me. I built up insane sediment that smelled like sulfer in my rock rubble section. Tossed the rocks and added a roller mat. Tank hasn't been better.

 

[cvrle1]

More of a general comment/question. When I setup my previous tank, which was more than 10 years ago, no one used socks as far as I could remember. It wasnt a thing for sure, yet people had amazing tanks without issues. Now reading some comments about why you should use socks makes me giggle a bit, as these issues arent really issues. Reading on why socks should be used kinda reminds me on why only AI, Radion or Kessil should be used over aquarium, and using anything else will cause a sure disaster.

 

[MichaelReefer]

More of a general comment/question. When I setup my previous tank, which was more than 10 years ago, no one used socks as far as I could remember. It wasnt a thing for sure, yet people had amazing tanks without issues. Now reading some comments about why you should use socks makes me giggle a bit, as these issues arent really issues. Reading on why socks should be used kinda reminds me on why only AI, Radion or Kessil should be used over aquarium, and using anything else will cause a sure disaster.

I mean, if you want a super clean tank, socks are definitely the way to go. My water has a bit more stuff floating around in it for sure. I am probably just going to throw a sock in here and there to at least keep it kinda clean.

 

[cvrle1]

I mean, if you want a super clean tank, socks are definitely the way to go. My water has a bit more stuff floating around in it for sure. I am probably just going to throw a sock in here and there to at least keep it kinda clean.

It makes sense, for sure, and I can see why they would be good to use. I am going throuhg same process now myself, as my sump has slots for 2 socks, but I just dont know if I want to use them, and if I want to have one more chore to do. It is a chore, and its not something that I really want to be doing every 2-3 days. Also reading some stories of people getting sick from washing their socks in same washer as they use for their clothes has me questioning it as well. I only have one washer, so I dont want to use it for aquarium socks that are filthy.

 

[krash7172]

+1 roller mat. I ran socks for 3 years and just got tired of cleaning. Replace roller every 6 weeks. Don't have to worry about over feeding. If you travel, this is huge.

 

[m_t_r_86]

I used to run socks. Made the switch 9 months ago and have never looked back. Honestly, I've noticed no difference between the two and not having to change socks and to be the win. My parameters stayed the same and the water remained clear. If I ever start a second tank, it'll be sockless from the get go. 18 months strong no issues.