Filter socks for dominant SPS tanks

[spkennyva]

I'm sure this has been discussed a 1000 times before, but often the discussions are based on mixed reef setups.

My question is: Do those who have great success with SPS use filter socks? I'm talking about total SPS tanks, kind of like some of those featured in TOM.

I'm currently using the 200 micron nylon version and rinse it out about 3 times per week. When using the 100 micron felt version it go much dirtier and was a pain to clean. I'd like to forgo socks completely, but in my system they are doing something, whether its beneficial or not, I'm not certain.

 

[alten78]

I like using the felt version, go through two a week, 1 if im lazy. Just toss a bunch of them in the washer once a month, no mess no fuss.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm curious as to when, exactly, filter socks came back into popularity. 15 years ago, trapping anything in the water column was to be avoided. Mechanical filters with sponges, socks, filter pads, anything like that. You either tried to get it _out_ of the tank, with a good skimmer, or try an neutralize it, via chemical or biological agents.

No socks for me, thanks. It's a new tank, just added a few frags... ask me again in a year, and I'll let you know how it works out

 

[sixpackgarage]

I run sockless. I'm not an expert, but am seeing nice growth with my SPS and LPS. I started seeing 20+ copepods in the sock once per week and didn't want to trap them anymore, plus it was a hassle to clean the socks, so I've been without for a couple of months with no issues whatsoever. I put a pile of live rock rubble under the hole where my sock used to be.

 

[Reef Frog]

I think having on demand mechanical filtration is very beneficial. But you don't have to use it all the time.

I feed planktonic sized foods to my mixed reef on occasion, so it would be wasteful & counter productive to use mechanical filtration during that time while the food is swirling around the water column.

I blow off the rock occasionally as a nutrient control measure, trapping the detrius and keeping it from building up to large volumes. Exprtimg it from the tank is part of my regular maintenece routine. I use it when I need it, which is maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of the time.

 

[Dugless]

I run 200 micron socks and rinse them twice a week. I think they are useful in collecting a bit of detritus and controlling micro bubbles. I don't think they are a game changer, and I lean on them to control salt creep more than anything.

 

[m0nkie]

I use it because I am a heavy feeder. Last year I removed the socks and my nitrate went up by another 10-15.. changing socks twice a week kept the sump super clean.

so it's really up to you.. how you maintain your tank. The goal is low nitrate, but not 0 nitrate

 

[rovster]

Not an expert but I run them part time. Usually around waterchange time when I stir stuff up. I'll go through 2 in 2-3 days then run sockless until the next change.

 

[nemodan]

I do not have any mechanical filtration (sponges or socks, filter pads , etc).

 

[K9Diver]

When you rinse the socks do you use RO water or is it ok to use regular tap water and let it dry out completely?

 

[ampemployee1]

I use 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in the wash

I use 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in the wash

When its time to clean the socks, I run a mini load in the wash with a 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach. Kills all the organics, and after a couple of days of air drying, they are ready to use again. +1 on the post about filter socks keeping the sump clean. When I'm going to be away for a week, I don't use the socks. Otherwise, when I'm around, I change them every 2 days. I have 12 filter socks, so can go 2-3 weeks without having to do a load.

 

[ros_sco]

I keep both a frag tank and chaeto in 2 areas in my sump. In order to keep detritus and possible chucks of algae from inside the overflow out of both areas, it's socks for me. I have to change twice a week or they overflow.
I too have over a dozen, so they get switched out when needed and when there's enough, wash them with bleach and without any extra soap in two back to back cycles (no bleach or soap in the 2nd cycle) in our front loader washer and air dry.
Seems to be working for me

 

[m0nkie]

When you rinse the socks do you use RO water or is it ok to use regular tap water and let it dry out completely?

I toss them in the wash machine without any soap or bleach... just clean water wash..

don't let your gf/mom/wife see this...

 

[M007]

When its time to clean the socks, I run a mini load in the wash with a 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach. Kills all the organics, and after a couple of days of air drying, they are ready to use again. +1 on the post about filter socks keeping the sump clean. When I'm going to be away for a week, I don't use the socks. Otherwise, when I'm around, I change them every 2 days. I have 12 filter socks, so can go 2-3 weeks without having to do a load.

+1 That pretty much sums it up for me :thumbsup:

 

[atrain]

I could never understand the argument, as denitrus is what it is, in the water column or in the socks..... it's still breaking down in the water somewhere. Could be collecting in your rock. Not having something to catch the particles doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Years ago it was bio balls, but whats the difference between them and the 150 pounds of rock I have in my sump.

 

[nemodan]

I could never understand the argument, as denitrus is what it is, in the water column or in the socks..... it's still breaking down in the water somewhere. Could be collecting in your rock. Not having something to catch the particles doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Years ago it was bio balls, but whats the difference between them and the 150 pounds of rock I have in my sump.

You are corrrct, in some place it settle and is breaking down. In my case, as I posted, I do not have anything to trap the detritus before it settle everywhere and follows the natural process. My tank has lots of Macro in a fuge a lot of Matrix for bacteria growth, as of today all is going well.

 

[glaukos]

Rosco,shocks aside,tank looks amazing!Good job:thumbsup:

As for the shocks,i used to use them but the fact that they want to be cleaned/changed so soon,in order to keep them clean,made me give up on them.
Still have half a dosen but only use them when it's needed.

 

[sharkboy99999]

I could never understand the argument, as denitrus is what it is, in the water column or in the socks..... it's still breaking down in the water somewhere. Could be collecting in your rock. Not having something to catch the particles doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Years ago it was bio balls, but whats the difference between them and the 150 pounds of rock I have in my sump.

Not to start any thing just to inform you. But actually bio balls are not like your rock. Your rock has small pores that bacteria can grow in. Bio balls does not have that so you just get bacteria that grows on open area. I'm pretty sure that the bacteria that grows in the pores is what brakes down nitrates.

 

[joshky]

My sump came with two 7" filter socks and I do plan on using them simply because I want to keep my sump as clean as possible.

 

[Pife]

My sump came with two 7" filter socks and I do plan on using them simply because I want to keep my sump as clean as possible.

This is why I use them.