Filter socks good or bad?

[Ooulophilia]

As far as I understand the NO3 buildup from using the socks may not be due entirely to the build up of detritus - as the water becomes aerated in the sock, very efficient aerobic bacteria colonize the sock, and you have in effect created a wet dry filter - and as we know the aerobic bacteria in a wet/dry will crank out NO3. Thay being said, I run socks on all my systems, I find without it I get a light buildup of detritus on my corals. I do change them at least once a day, in my mind this is not allowing the aerobic bacteria to reach certain levels, and none of my systems have NO3 in a measurable range.

 

[JetCat USA]

if there is no detritus in the socks to break down there's nothing for it to turn into NO3 same with the wet/dry. you can't make NO3 without Amm/NO2 to start with.

 

[dendro982]

Pro-socks too: I guess, it's setup and type of the tank dependent. My oversized skimmer is not good in capturing particles, and they settle in the sump or return in the tank - it's not theory, I can see it...
With micron sock, changed daily, the tank is cleaner. After reading threads about Calfo's overflows and making skimmer work productive, did almost all improvements and tried for a months without micron sock. With sock was better, IMHO.

Pods loss: no pod alive goes there, the scooter takes care of it

 

[Lifes A Beach]

What is better: 100 or 200 micron sock?

 

[JetCat USA]

the lower the micron the more often you need to change them. anything less then 400 should do the trick of clearing up most particulate matter.

 

[sherm71tank]

That and the longer you let them run the finer they filter. I find 100 micron works very well for me.

 

[Lifes A Beach]

Should the sock hang in the water or out?

 

[JetCat USA]

the top ring needs to be out of the water, the rest is optional

 

[dendro982]

What is better: 100 or 200 micron sock?

I'm using usually 100 micron, sometimes after cleaning tank - 50 micron overnight, and in the tank without skimmer and heavy feeding - original Coralife filter pad, it's very fine, should be removed after hours in my systems.

But: I had heard that there are micron socks 5 and 1 micron - they should clean very well in gravity fed sump (mine is not). I used 5 micron Quick Filter attachment to AC powerhead and diatom filter, filtering down to 1 micron - the water becomes clear, small particles are removed very well.

Should the sock hang in the water or out?

I'm using DIY bags, made from Coralife filter pads, the top is out of water, otherwise the dirty water is bypassing the bag and overflows through the top (but my side sump is a connected vessel, not gravity fed).

 

[Lifes A Beach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10690891#post10690891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dendro982
I'm using DIY bags, made from Coralife filter pads

I have the 50 micron pads from Coralife that I've used as a flat pad in my filter tray in the wet/dry. How are you making a bag out of them?

 

[dendro982]

How are you making a bag out of them?

Cut the flat piece twice long, than the finished bag should be, so the bottom will be not sewn. Sew the sides, using polyester or nylon thread, not cotton, I'm using (don't know the name) say, wrap around thread around the needle each time. If you are using sewing machine - sew twice, once will not withstand multiple washing and bleaching.

It's all. If you like to use a ring - warp the top of the bag outside, around the ring, and sew it.

I'm just placing it freestanding onto the skimmer tubing or piece of LR at the bottom, no problem (I have a side sump, not much pressure, only 300 gph pulling by the pump). With small pumps, say up to 200 gph, the clothes/laundry drying plastic clip holds well.

 

[Lifes A Beach]

Thanks for all that info. I think I'll give it a try since I already have plenty of the padding.

 

[loosecannon]

BAD!

 

[redox]

GOOD when changed regularly. If left on too long BAD

 

[old95er]

Man do they need to be changed regularly!! I have to change mine every two days.

Does anyone know of a sock that is less than 200 micron? that will filter less material?

 

[ACBlinky]

I'm pro sock. I use 100 micron socks on my 90g, changed every 24-48h. The water is clear, NO3 is zero, I see absolutely no downside to using a sock other than the small cleaning chore they represent.

I don't use a sock on my sumpless 30g reef - it's a totally different kind of tank, very much left to its own devices, and it seems to work just as well as the 90g. That said, it isn't stocked or fed as heavily, and it's much easier to do larger water changes on a nano.

Loosecannon - If you think socks are bad, please explain why. We're all here to learn, please add your opinion and experience to the discussion.

 

[Lifes A Beach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10750111#post10750111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ACBlinky
I'm pro sock. I use 100 micron socks on my 90g,
I don't use a sock on my sumpless 30g reef -

What type of 90g do you have that you use a sock rather than not using one on your 30g?

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10750348#post10750348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prideprops
What type of 90g do you have .........

as his post stated One With A Sump

 

[ACBlinky]

Exactly. The 30g is sumpless and skimmerless, a lightly stocked and more 'natural' little tank. The 90g has much higher flow, heavier stocking levels and a 30g sump/fuge. The 90g is 'reef ready' - drilled with an overflow - and the sock filters raw water coming into the sump from the overflow.

And *ahem* JetCat, I'm a SHE, not a he

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10752877#post10752877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ACBlinky
And *ahem* JetCat, I'm a SHE, not a he

my sincerest apologies ma'am, the MH was glimmering in my eyes restricting my vision