Filter Socks? Who Uses Them?

[Tyler Durden]

I prefer to vacuum my sump once every couple months as opposed to cleaning filter socks every three days. my water is plenty clear without them and my skimmer pulls a gallon every two days.

 

[thefu]

I can tell the difference between people who use filter socks and AC vs. those that don't.

And, I too storm my tank by stirring the top 1/2" of my sand in 1/3 of my tank every week. I do it right before I change my filter bag. My showcase sponge as well as my corals love it. I do it on alternate weeks in my refugium. I see growth spurts in both in my sponge and in some of my corals in the days following.

Then, an hour after the storm subsides I remove the filter bag and let the tank run for a day without it. Then I put another on, replace in 3 days, and then in 3 days more, repeat the process.

 

[mrkalel]

"I find that alot of good nutrients, pods, etc where getting pulled out of the system, and also I noticed my fish and coral seemed happier afterwards..."

I don't know about you but I wouldn't relish swimming around in my own crap for very long. That being said.....I use a filter sock, and change it out every few days or so. Kinda like a nice hot shower feels to a person, good clean water feels to your reef inhabitants. You can always supplement if you think you are stripping nutrients.

Well I did forget to mention I have a pretty good skimmer and do regular water changes....

 

[LovinLife]

I use filter socks. It came with the sump, so I figured whomever put it with the sump knew something I didnt...lol...All I know is when I put that sock on and laid a piece of coralife filter pad across the mouth of the sock, then tucked the ends of the pad in those plastic thingys on either side, then pushd the middle of the pad down so the falling water had room to fall, it made things so much more quiet.

whenever I change my socks, which is every three days, what pods and such that fall out of it and lands in the bucket gets thrown into the sump or tank.

I like them....gives me a place to throw carbon or phosban in. Mesh bags of carbon are great for holding the sock down.

 

[mcbaes72]

+1 On using them

I order ours from www.filterbag.com

I personally use the PEM100P4P (Polyester Multifilament Mesh) $3.30 the mesh is easier to clean in the sink, no washing machine needed.

They reccommend the PONG100P4P (Polypropylene Felt) $2.76 Same micron but this is the thicker felt that cloggs up after 3-4 days.

Both are very effiecent at reducing micro bubbles to Zero, but the mesh is easier to clean.


Dont buy these from fish vendors, buy them here, you cant beat $2-$3 each. When it comes to buying socks online, I dont understand how all of the vendors can charge rediculous amounts for the same product, only difference is name. For example, the JBJ 200 Micron sock is $6.99 and the Blue Life 200 micron sock is $9.99. Exact same material and usage. You can buy the same exact sock from www.filterbag.com for under $3

I think I'll order what you recommend, too bad it has to be 25 minimum though. Thanks for the advice!

 

[goldmaniac]

there's two sites

filterbag.com
and
filterbags.com

one requires a minimum of 25, the other one doesn't, and I use that one. terrific customer service and prompt delivery.

 

[mcbaes72]

From filterbags.com...

"Quantity discounts
1-24 - List
25-99 - less 25%
100+ - less 40%

Filter bags may be mixed for quantity discounts.
Minimum order - $30.00 (does not include freight)"

Cool! Thanks for the info, didn't know what I was gonna do w/ 25 qty. if I bought from the other site.

 

[Playa-1]

I use filter socks. I change them out every 3 or 4 days for a clean one. I have some extras that I keep handy and when they are all dirty, I clean them up at the same time.

 

[stump1998]

I use them some times. I am bad not to put them back in after I take them out for cleaning.

 

[PGUY1]

kjord97...can you tell any difference in filtering between the felt and monofilament mesh bags; or is a 100 micron bag a 100 micron bag? thanks.

 

[thefu]

But the one that you need 25 order for has drawstring bags (what I prefer)...I could not find them on the other site (just the ones with the plastic ring)

 

[discus510]

I think I'll order what you recommend, too bad it has to be 25 minimum though. Thanks for the advice!

how many sock did u wanted to order?? cuz im about to order some too

 

[mcbaes72]

how many sock did u wanted to order?? cuz im about to order some too

I only wanted to order 10 of them, but haven't placed the order at either site yet. I see you're in Oakland, I work downtown 15th & Clay. Why, did you wanna split the order? If so, PM me, maybe we could work something out.

 

[jksteele010]

I will start using them with my upgrade to 210 because my skimmer isn't getting upgraded for a while, saving for a reefflo 250, and this will really help nutrient export.

 

[pbmatthews]

I've been running a combination of 100, 50, 25 and 10 micron socks. Bought 25 them from a company specializing in bio-diesel filtration and they are great. I choose the sock based on how over/under filtered my tank looks and they never overflow. I use one sock on two overflows that dump into the skimmer chamber. My sump is in the basement so easy to change but I swap them every other day and my water is crystal clear. I just wait until I have a full load of them for the laundry and then wash with original clorine bleach.

They are especially great for heavy bio-loads and overfeeding.