buffalobunch
New member
Trying to decide if I am going to use a filter sock on the new tank. Who uses one or doesn't. Why or why not. Melvesreef says no. He is the guru, sooooo........
Filter sock or no filter sock. That is the question!
- Thread starter buffalobunch
- Start date
I use two on each of my 220 gallon tanks. They get changed weekly, without fail. I then turn the dirty ones inside out and soak in a bucket with bleach. I have three buckets I use for this and when those three get full, in the wash they go. I probably have 20 or so of these socks sitting in my garage. My sump stays pretty much detritus free as a result.
I never understood the logic of the socks being a detritus point unless you fail to clean them on a regular basis. It takes about a month, maybe more, for my socks to get to the "full" point. I am not sure that my skimmer would take out everything that the socks remove first, meaning that the detritus would either accumulate in the sump or stay in the tank.
I never understood the logic of the socks being a detritus point unless you fail to clean them on a regular basis. It takes about a month, maybe more, for my socks to get to the "full" point. I am not sure that my skimmer would take out everything that the socks remove first, meaning that the detritus would either accumulate in the sump or stay in the tank.
Rippinfrags
Active member
+1.
At times I fail to switch my filter sock for up too a week with no ill effects. Plus if im going out of town for an extended period of time I will just go without a filter sock. IMO, it's a nice tool to be able to implement at a moments notice.
3FordFamily
In Memoriam
I use none on any of my three DT. No issues.
dkennedy1282
New member
I could not agree with this more. I went forever without using one. Then I started using one, but when it clogged, it overflowed my sump onto my living room floor (that was fun!:uhoh3
I now use this method and it works like a charm.
HeavyWater247
New member
I'm along the same lines with BigJohn. I was running a sock for a while on my refugium but read somewhere that my pods/little critters will benefit more letting all the det fall into the refugium to be broken down. I've pulled it off for about two months now with no ill results. Going to continue running with no sock. My 2 cents.
azjohnny
Active member
That's why if you use them you want to change them out on a regular basis, I change mine out every 3rd day ( I rotate 5) and when you are on your last sock thrown the rest in the washing machine with no soap or bleach and wash them in hot water
Also depends on what you have in your DT, I have a FOWLR with Nem's so it produces a lot of waste, If I was running a reef display I probably wouldn't run socks
NaClH20NMYVEIN
Red Dragons!
This!
I think the issue is if you are going to run filter socks then you have to change them once or twice / week. For myself I would rather the sock become a sink for detritus which can be easily removed from the system then my sump/ refugium which is not so easily flushed. Past experience has taught me that an amazing amount of organic debris can build up fast
Mael
New member
I have always run one in my sump, and after Jeff recommended them in his presentation at DFF I felt more confident in my choice. Not saying running no sock is a bad thing, I just feel it is beneficial for me. I run it until water doesnt pass freely through, if the sock mounts right at the top edge of the tank you could get overflow if it clogs up but to me that is something you take into account when designing your setup, or to modify it. Im using the rectangular socks right now and they last a little over a week before changing them out. I also like to run the return from the carbon/gfo reactor into the sock just in case any gfo or carbon particles get through, especially right after replacing the media.
Lastly, it helps minimize micro bubbles from the return pipe on my system.
Lastly, it helps minimize micro bubbles from the return pipe on my system.
briankmarsh1980
I'm a member of **!!!!!!
i use them.... the color of the sock and the fact it gets clogged around 6 or 7 days makes me want to use them.... but thats just me
briankmarsh1980
I'm a member of **!!!!!!
as for expense i got my socks 5 years ago and have never had to replace them i just through them in the washer
buffalobunch
New member
Pretty sure this time we are going to no filter sock this time They have caused a few overflows in the sump on the last tank. I agree about the nutrient sink. Thanks everyone for the input!!
I use them on all my tanks, but basically everyone is right. They work, but the upkeeo is a pain. They have to be changed every week or they risk clogging and then overflowing the top onto the floor...cant count the number of times this has happened, not to mention the whole purpose is to remove the detritus from the tank. Amazing how black they get after just a week...
BUT...they catch good things too like brittle stars, pods and such. for this reason I turn them inside out,pick off all the stars, and dunk them in a bucket lined with netting. The pods scurry in to the water column and then I can put them back in the tank or refugium.
BUT...they catch good things too like brittle stars, pods and such. for this reason I turn them inside out,pick off all the stars, and dunk them in a bucket lined with netting. The pods scurry in to the water column and then I can put them back in the tank or refugium.
