Filter Sock Question

[Esquare]

I'm planning on getting back into the reef game and have a question about why people run multiple filter socks. I assume its for increased flow but wanted to ask to be sure. If it is for increased flow, at what point do you need to go from 1 sock to 2? I don't know what the flow rate through my sump will be yet as i am still in the design phase and want to match flow to my skimmer which I hope to be a RLSS 6DBi (If RLSS ever gets around to responding to my email inquiry).

Thanks for your response.

Eddie

 

[FirstContact]

People run multiple socks to handle the waste. They start to overflow when full of waste. So if your sock isn't overflowing in 3-4 days with your set up, you wouldn't need a second sock. I run two socks on my set up, but I run 100 micron preskimmer and 50 micron post skimmer.

 

[Esquare]

Ok, since I am planning a 57 gallon mixed reef I shouldn't have a problem with 1 sock. On the other hand, I hope to keep 2 or 3 different dwarf lionfish and they tend to be messy eaters.

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[BrickFishHouse]

I like to set them up based on flow and waste. Unclogged socks flow more easily, in my experience, that clogged ones.

If the same waste comes out, one sock will clog more quickly than two or four. So you'll need to change/clean the one more often.

On the other hand, though, if someone is not as diligent as they should be, four socks can get clogged, which, depending on the socks, could be as much as about two gallons of water not flowing through the tank... appearing to be evaporated water, or tricking a top off to put another couple gallons of RO water in...

...which can mess with your salinity.

Uh-oh... I just rambled and wrote another book!


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[Esquare]

Lol, I appreciate the incite. I am designing my sump so that the dt drains into a compartment which overflows into a filtersock then to the skimmer. I believe I have room to add a second sock to the setup. I don't want to if I don't have to as space is a premium as always.

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[FirstContact]

Also, when building your sump, keep in mind filter socks come in a variety of widths and lengths. The shorter the sock the faster it will get filled up. I am using 7 inch wide socks by 12 inches.

 

[gstuman]

I had two filter socks on a 250 and found it was easier to empty both returns into ONE LARGE filter sock which took longer to clog up. Make sure the holder for the sock is below the rim of the sump so it just overflows into the sump if you forget to check the filter. I kept 5 filter socks on hand and washed them out and then put them in a clothes washing machine with no soap and could get multiple uses out of each. I would just drop a new one in every 3 days or so. With super messy eating fish then just replace the filter sock daily or every other day and it will solve all sorts of problems by never allowing the wasted food to start breaking down.

Also, max out your skimming here. I always have luck with oversizing skimmers and stripping the tank clean. I'm obviously not in the skimmerless camp which probably works only for pristine SPS tanks with one goby. There seems to be some "magical thinking" going on with the skimmerless people as I never see any actual logical explanation of why leaving waste in the system is better than removing it.

That skimmer debate reminds me of politics as people get quite emotional over their beliefs. I use skimmers because they work for me and that's all I care about.

 

[Esquare]

FirstContact, I have planned on the 4" x 8" socks and currently have 1 sock hole but am trying to decide if I wand to have 2 socks. The siz of my sump won't allow for a larger sock and putting in a 2nd 1 will cramp things a bit.

gstuman, I notice that in your signature you currently have a 60 gallon tank. I am planning a 57, how many sock are you running on the 60?