Filter sock or no filter sock

[walkerbrody]

I have a 110 gal with 20 gal fuge, 10 gal sump, octo nw-200 skimmer, and 15 gal water change container.

I have alot of small particles in my tank. I belive the majority of them are caused from my sand sifting gobys. I was wondering if a filter sock on the return, well half of the split return that I can access would help with the particle issue. If so, how often should I clean them?

 

[plyle02]

I use them, helps to keep the detritus out of your sump, for the most part. It also helps reduce micro-bubbles which is nice. I feel the water is more polished, btw I change mine out every 2-3 days, and rotate with one that was washed in the machine with a bit of bleach.

 

[MichaelRyanSd]

yeha I use them...but rotate every week or so...

 

[Macimage]

I use them too. I try to rotate weekly, but sometimes it's two weeks before I change them.

Joyce

 

[snorvich]

I too use them, rotating every week.

 

[david pinder]

My water turned sparkling clean after I started using them. I usually change mine after they overflo to give all the little critters a chance to escape. just wash with a little bleach in the washer there usually good for 5 or six cycles then replace new.

 

[av8]

Filter Socks : a few thoughts

Filter Socks : a few thoughts

I've been using a filter sock. Change it before or when it overflows.

I used to put them in the washing machine. I no longer do this, for fear of soap contamination. No way is your washing machine 100% free of soap.

I used to bleach them, but I have cut back to only bleaching them when they are really brown. Again, fear of NOT removing all the bleach.

I AM rinsing them thoroughly, then soaking in 30 to 50 % vinegar for a couple of days. The vinegar does a good job. Rinse in fresh water, then baking soda water, then fresh water, then RO water. Let dry in sun if possible.

A trick for rinsing them: cut the top curved part off of a liter soda bottle. The sock will fit perfectly, allowing you to "pump" the water through the sock, doing a really good job of getting the filter clean. I prefer Barq's root beer, but most would work.

Yet I still feel that my sump might be better off without the filter sock : (

My clown is 21 years old so the water quality must be OK : )

John C.

 

[preef]

I'll be the dissenter. I don't use them. Instead I have a big wad of Chaeto in my fuge which captures everything in there. The chaeto ball is full of pods and bristle worms that consume everything. This way I don't have to worry about trapped detritus in the sock turning into nitrate.

I did use them for a while and saw no difference in water clarity from what I have now. Stopped using them after one overflowed over the side of my sump. Not worth the hassle IMO and I'm not sure if there is a benefit.

 

[Pallobi]

i dont use one, but my system upkeep is quite diligent...

 

[UnusualSuspect]

Okay, here's a question - mesh or felt for the filter sock?

Due to the small size of my sump (built with a 10gal tank) I can't fit in a "real" filter sock, so I made some felt "condoms" for my drain pipe. I know I used the "right" density of felt, because I cut up a 7" filter sock to make them.

I was hoping to get a really polished look to my water, but so far I really don't see a lot of difference in my water clarity.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Okay, here's a question - mesh or felt for the filter sock?

Due to the small size of my sump (built with a 10gal tank) I can't fit in a "real" filter sock, so I made some felt "condoms" for my drain pipe. I know I used the "right" density of felt, because I cut up a 7" filter sock to make them.

I was hoping to get a really polished look to my water, but so far I really don't see a lot of difference in my water clarity.

Mesh is usually used for running carbon. Ideally for a filter sock...you'll want to go with felt.

100 or 200 micron is what is typically used in this hobby.

The "condom" sock you made may not be working correctly...how much room do you have for a filter sock? They make smaller socks...like a 4'' sock and I've seen even smaller on filterbag.com.


Good luck.

 

[solitude127]

Felt for me. It catches more crud. I don't mind changing it out every 5 - 7 days.

 

[d2mini]

I switch on and off. When the sock is off, I know my filter feeders are getting more to eat.
Running the sock is more for me than it is for the tank.

 

[LaOtIn]

im a user, i change mine every 3-4 days or when it starts to overflow.

my wife made mine, $.25 for a sheet of felt, she double stacked it, folded it over, sewed it up and put elastic in the top and a hanger. my sump return is just a pvc pipe coming down that i put a screw in, so i hang the sock on that screw

 

[mess7777]

I'll be the dissenter. I don't use them. Instead I have a big wad of Chaeto in my fuge which captures everything in there. The chaeto ball is full of pods and bristle worms that consume everything. This way I don't have to worry about trapped detritus in the sock turning into nitrate.

I did use them for a while and saw no difference in water clarity from what I have now. Stopped using them after one overflowed over the side of my sump. Not worth the hassle IMO and I'm not sure if there is a benefit.

Don't you get any crud build up on the bottom of your sump? I find that just a few days and I have a fine layer of crap on the sump bottom. For this reason I am strongly considering the filter sock...although I hesitate as I don't want to catch and remove beneficial life forms(would like a mandarin some day).

 

[UnusualSuspect]

Mesh is usually used for running carbon. Ideally for a filter sock...you'll want to go with felt.

100 or 200 micron is what is typically used in this hobby.

The reason I ask is that writeup at BRS suggests that you start with felt and go to mesh if it clogs too quickly.

The "condom" sock you made may not be working correctly...how much room do you have for a filter sock? They make smaller socks...like a 4'' sock and I've seen even smaller on filterbag.com.


Good luck.

I don't even have room for a 4" sock. My inlet/drain area is like 3", and I have an HOB skimmer haging off the side of the sump. My DIY bubble tower is a piece of 2" PVC with teeth cut in the bottom, so a 2" filter sock would be ideal.

im a user, i change mine every 3-4 days or when it starts to overflow.

my wife made mine, $.25 for a sheet of felt, she double stacked it, folded it over, sewed it up and put elastic in the top and a hanger. my sump return is just a pvc pipe coming down that i put a screw in, so i hang the sock on that screw

I made mine as well - hot-glued the edges of the felt together and turned them inside out. Good idea with the screw. I just started using filter socks, but I'm thinking I'll change them out at the weekly water change.

 

[greech]

I wish I didn't have to use them but I do and they do work well if you change them at least once a week.

 

[evoi19]

i use both mesh and felt. I change them out every week after my water change. Keeps the tank clear and free of floating detritus.

To clean, I soak them in hydrogen peroxide overnight, turn them inside out and then throw them in the wash with bleach only. Comes out perfectly clean.

 

[acrohead500ppm]

I recommend not using them unless you change/clean them every 3 days, other wise the majority of what it has captured will dissolve in the water raising DOC, or be broken down into nitrate. If you change them any less than 2x a week, would be better off 86ing them all together and let your skimmer catch and REMOVE the waste from the system.

 

[mess7777]

I recommend not using them unless you change/clean them every 3 days, other wise the majority of what it has captured will dissolve in the water raising DOC, or be broken down into nitrate. If you change them any less than 2x a week, would be better off 86ing them all together and let your skimmer catch and REMOVE the waste from the system.

If you don't use one, won't at least some of it settle to the bottom of the sump and do the same thing only more because it never gets removed? That is my worry.