Do I really need filter socks?

TwentyfiveCents

New member
I know it's not a huge choir to change the socks but if I drop abuncha matrix media in the area where my socks are suppose to be would that sorta do the same thing as the socks? I don't have algae problems and my system runs uln
 
I often go w/out them and many people don't use them at all, but I would not mess w/ adding any media or anything.
Socks are just mecahnical filtration that will polish water, but if not changed regularly they can also raise nitrates, so better w/out than dirty socks.
 
I have tanks with and without. One would assume that the added mechanical filtration would reduce suspended particles in the water column. My clearest tank (as far as particles in the column go) has never had a sock. My tank with the most suspended particles has a sock.
Floating particles do not always indicate a problem. There are a multitude of other variables and I would imagine a natural reef would have many floaters including some that are highly beneficial.
 
I'm going going to drop the socks, I know you advised not using media but the matrix is a place for beneficial bacteria to grow and live so I don't see anything bad happening with that...I'll drop abuncha matrix in place of the socks and see what happens
 
The filter socks and the matrix media do 2 different things. The socks filter out larger particulate matter, the matrix is like live rock and allows for bacteria to grow. They are not replacements for each other.
 
i use them, and change them out every 2 weeks generally



I only wish lol ATM mine need a fresh sock weekly I found 200micron for 1.50 ea on flea bay yeah china but at that price worth it


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I run them when I'm having some sort of issue, like recently I was dealing with a dino explosion so I was running a sock and turkey baster to blow the snot off of the rocks. I was swapping out my socks every other day during that period.

When I was having issues with low nitrates, I left a sock on and didn't change it for over two weeks.

If I'm going to do a water change, I'll throw one on, blast the rocks and bottom with the turkey baster and turn my MP40s on nutrient export mode to get all sorts of detritus stirred up and removed. I'll leave it on for a day after the water change and then go sockless.

There is no hard and fast reason to use or not use a filter sock, they can be entirely situational as I listed above.
 
ok so question arise is with filter sock it softens the noise of the water flowing into the refugium from atop. without the sock it sounds like a water fall. how do i soften the noise level without the sock. Sorry for putting a question inside a question. i would love to go without the sock for the nutritional value of recycle good stuff back into the tank.
 
ok so question arise is with filter sock it softens the noise of the water flowing into the refugium from atop. without the sock it sounds like a water fall. how do i soften the noise level without the sock. Sorry for putting a question inside a question. i would love to go without the sock for the nutritional value of recycle good stuff back into the tank.

Simply extend the pipe so that there is less of a fall the water..
The higher the falling water.. the higher the noise level..
Extend the pipe to or below the water and you won't have a falling water sound.

After that many overflows are noisy because they are flowing more water than they can properly handle and tend to suck air down and make flushing sounds,etc... if thats the problem then reduce the flowrate by adding a valve on the output of the pump to slow it down..
 
Simply extend the pipe so that there is less of a fall the water..
The higher the falling water.. the higher the noise level..
Extend the pipe to or below the water and you won't have a falling water sound.

After that many overflows are noisy because they are flowing more water than they can properly handle and tend to suck air down and make flushing sounds,etc... if thats the problem then reduce the flowrate by adding a valve on the output of the pump to slow it down..
 
Socks seem to be a good idea when cleaning tank etc. But not really necessary all the time. Just another area to create problems if not being kept clean.
 
I could sell you a brand new, never used sock that came with my Trigger...�� me, I no longer use them...
 
I only use them when I turkey blast the rocks during water changes. I usually let them run for about 3-4 days after the water change.
 
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