Bead filter on a reef tank?

[Piper27]

I have been thinking about setting up a bubble bead filter on my reef tank of 400+ gallons. I have about 70 fish and there is always floating debree and detritus in the water column which is a problem for my acropora health and a sore to my eyes. I also use a lot of vodka and veniger dosed into a tank full of liverock and sponge which creates a lot of bacteria mass. I was hoping setting up a bubble bead filter I can flush every other day or so will help cut down on floating particles and bacteria in the water column. Filter socks get clogged in a day so anything like them is not an option.
I have always heard these filters cause nitrate issues but I would like to think this is only when neglected or ran without maintenance on dirty ponds. I would assume if flushed properly and often nutrients would all get pushed out of the filter and system.
Anyone have experience or know anyone with experience using bead or sand filters on reef tanks? Any advice whatsoever would be helpful.

 

[tkeracer619]

Socks would be a better alternative for keeping the water clear. If you really want the water clear it is hard to beat a diatom filter.

 

[Piper27]

The problem with socks is that they clog with bacteria in a day, no matter how many times I change them it doesn't get any better. I just can't use them.

 

[tkeracer619]

Why do they clog with bacteria? That isn't normal.

What kind of skimmer are you running? It may be beneficial to feed your skimmer directly with overflow water or maybe switch to biopellets that feed your skimmer.

 

[Piper27]

Vodka and vinegar creates a good amount of bacteria in my system, it stays where I dose it in a specific tank filled with rock but still the socks clog way to easily which is fairly normal for a tank which has a main filtration using carbon sources... I use a bubble king 300 in the sump and I have a 4' euroreef with 1 1/2" mazzei injector and ehiem pumps which is fed with the return and drains into the rock tank then back to the sump. I have a lot of fish and need the vodka and vinegar to keep nutrients in check. I have removed fish, cut back feeding and cut back on the dose but still I can't run filter socks. Anyways I don't really want to run filter socks, to much work keeping up with the socks. But if I could turn two valves and give myself incentive to do small more frequent water changes and get rid of stuff floating in my water column I am all for it. Even if nitrates rise a tad that would probably be a good thing.
I am basically looking for someone who has tried it to tell me not to do it because so and so.... If that doesn't happen I think it will be time for me to try it and see just how bad nitrates move and just how well it will remove bacteria and detritus from my system.