Who Replaced Filter Socks w/ A Skimmer?

[naterealbig]

Hi everyone, looking for experiences from those running barebottom, heavy bio-load, without socks (or other forms of mechanical filtration).

I ask as i am contemplating getting a morepowerful skimmer, and removing my filter socks, also keeping in mind that i don't have a refugium to catch any of the gunk either.

 

[GabeM]

Both items filter different things out of the water. I would read this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/roller-mats-v-skimmers.673034/

 

[naterealbig]

Both items filter different things out of the water. I would read this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/roller-mats-v-skimmers.673034/

I am well versed on the theory, thank you.

I am looking to pull larger particulate out with a larger more powerful skimmer - and eliminate the need for filter socks. I am looking for folks that have tried this to understand their results, and to get an idea if it's plausible.

Have you tried this?

 

[GabeM]

I am well versed on the theory, thank you.

I am looking to pull larger particulate out with a larger more powerful skimmer - and eliminate the need for filter socks. I am looking for folks that have tried this to understand their results, and to get an idea if it's plausible.

Have you tried this?

I have run most of my reefing life without the filter socks or any mechanical filtration with no issues. There are many in the thread without mechanical filtration and skimmers only.

Thay being said I would not continue to feed as heavy as I have these past few months without the socks.

EDIT: I am feeding a LOT and I know that it is not all getting eaten.

 

[naterealbig]

Thank you, this is helpful! Couple questions....

1. size of tank/# of fish (sm/m/l)
2. Current skimmer?
3. what other filtration/export are you using?

 

[GabeM]

Thank you, this is helpfulCouple questions....

1. size of tank/# of fish (sm/m/l)
2. Current skimmer?
3. what other filtration/export are you using?

50 gallon/2 small 2 medium fish/ feeding 2 cubes per day
Reef octopus essence s-130
GFO 6 hours a day and carbon dosing/ 10% water changes bi-weekly

 

[eric.battani]

If you’re tired of cleaning the socks switch to a filter cup in place of the socks and fill it with filter floss. The stuffing inside a $5 body pillow lasts forever. And you can just throw away the floss after it gets dirty.

 

[naterealbig]

50 gallon/2 small 2 medium fish/ feeding 2 cubes per day
Reef octopus essence s-130
GFO 6 hours a day and carbon dosing/ 10% water changes bi-weekly

ok awesome - relative to my Aquarium, a very small bio-load. I also dose carbon currently, and run barebottom.

 

[naterealbig]

If you’re tired of cleaning the socks switch to a filter cup in place of the socks and fill it with filter floss. The stuffing inside a $5 body pillow lasts forever. And you can just throw away the floss after it gets dirty.

Hi there, i really don't mind changing out the socks. I really am just trying to set up my system for consistent parameters and minimum reliance on equipment.

For instance - if i want to go out of town for a couple weeks, i don't want to have to pay someone to come and change socks. I also don't want to come home to a tank overrun with algae because i removed the sock while on vacation, and my system wasn't set up to handle the extra nutrients.

i have considered the roller mats as well, and while i love the idea - it is one more piece of equipment to buy, an additional monthly expense, and something with the potential to fail and cause a destabilization event.

 

[WVNed]

400 gallon system
SRO 5000 with ozone
I have socks I can put in but haven't in months. My refugium is just another tank in the system.
I have flow everywhere in it and it is staying clean.

 

[naterealbig]

400 gallon system
SRO 5000 with ozone
I have socks I can put in but haven't in months. My refugium is just another tank in the system.
I have flow everywhere in it and it is staying clean.

Thank you for the feedback!

1. Do you run barebottom?
2. Assuming heavy fish load?
3. So no algae in your refugium?
5. Do you think the O3 makes a difference in NO3/PO4 levels?

 

[WVNed]

No I use crushed coral in one tank and the other has sand.
medium I would say. ~35 fish
I grow macro in a couple of places. At least I am trying to.
I cant tell yet. Several things all changed at once. I had a large algae die off and it was a No3/Po4 bomb.
so I recently added a biopellet reactor but it hasn't come online yet.

 

[FranklinDattein]

One of my tanks has an oversized skimmer, high flow in the return and no filter socks. When I built it, I was keen on evaluating it against filter socks, just like you asked.
The large skimmer is noticeably quick in removing particulates (sometimes too quick for my likings), but it won't have the same effect as filter socks or roller mat filter and there will still be some particulates floating around.

When I put the socks back on, the particulates are greatly reduced, but the skimmer doesn't pull out as much material.

If your goal is to reduce visible particles, I would suggest a roller mat filter and a non-oversized skimmer.

 

[homer1475]

I haven't had a filter sock on my system in 3 years, with the exception of maintenance day. I will run them for a few hours to catch anything floating around.

Details.....
roughly 3 inches arragonite sandbed
10 fish
80G cube
bubble magus elite 5 skimmer

Never noticed a huge difference between running socks and not. The only difference I do see is the amount of ditritus that build up in the drain section of my sump.

 

[Big E]

I oversize my skimmers 3-4x manufacturer recommendations and don't use filter socks.

My systems are dominant acropora setups and bare bottom.

No algae filters..........I will use GFO to keep P04 stable if needed.

 

[naterealbig]

No I use crushed coral in one tank and the other has sand.
medium I would say. ~35 fish
I grow macro in a couple of places. At least I am trying to.
I cant tell yet. Several things all changed at once. I had a large algae die off and it was a No3/Po4 bomb.
so I recently added a biopellet reactor but it hasn't come online yet.

Thank you for all the info. One more question, as I think it may affect what I am trying to accomplish: what is your return flow rate (appx)?

 

[naterealbig]

One of my tanks has an oversized skimmer, high flow in the return and no filter socks. When I built it, I was keen on evaluating it against filter socks, just like you asked.
The large skimmer is noticeably quick in removing particulates (sometimes too quick for my likings), but it won't have the same effect as filter socks or roller mat filter and there will still be some particulates floating around.

When I put the socks back on, the particulates are greatly reduced, but the skimmer doesn't pull out as much material.

If your goal is to reduce visible particles, I would suggest a roller mat filter and a non-oversized skimmer.

Thank @fsamir:

Visible particles are a concern; although I am willing to make some trade of aesthetics for functionality (after all, I just removed all of my sand ). I guess it depends on how much particulate there is, and how much it detracts from the display "presentation" - which is hard to quantify.

Out of curiosity, for the system with no socks/large skimmer:

1. Which skimmer did you choose?
2. What is approximate tank size and return flow?

 

[WVNed]

Thank you for all the info. One more question, as I think it may affect what I am trying to accomplish: what is your return flow rate (appx)?

The 240 has 3500 GPH, the 75 has 700 gph and the 30 has 200gph from the same sump.

 

[naterealbig]

I haven't had a filter sock on my system in 3 years, with the exception of maintenance day. I will run them for a few hours to catch anything floating around.

Details.....
roughly 3 inches arragonite sandbed
10 fish
80G cube
bubble magus elite 5 skimmer

Never noticed a huge difference between running socks and not. The only difference I do see is the amount of ditritus that build up in the drain section of my sump.

Thank you for the data @homer1475 ! Out of curiosity, what is your return flow rate? I ask, as I think this may make a difference on how much particulate remains floating in the display.... Your input is very helpful - thank you again.

 

[LC8Sumi]

I haven't had a filter sock on my system in 3 years, with the exception of maintenance day. I will run them for a few hours to catch anything floating around.

Details.....
roughly 3 inches arragonite sandbed
10 fish
80G cube
bubble magus elite 5 skimmer

Never noticed a huge difference between running socks and not. The only difference I do see is the amount of ditritus that build up in the drain section of my sump.

This is my experience exactly as well