filter socks

R

Remmers

Member
What are the benefits of filter socks other then catching the finest of debris?

A few people ave told me there bad for your system because they can house ditrates(sp)?
 
You pretty much summed up the benefit of them. It results in a slightly better water clarity. Some people say its better not to use filter socks so the corals can consume the particles it would catch.

I personally do run one. I try to change it out every 2 weeks. If you go long periods of time without cleaning/replacing them, then they can leech nitrates back into the system because the material they trap just starts rotting.
 
I am unaware of anyone who has run a legitimate experiment on this so you are left with anecdotes and personal opinions. As with most things in this hobby, opinions on filter socks run the gamut. I don't use any kind of intentional mechanical filtration on my tank. My own personal observations over many tanks is that nitrates ran higher on those with significant mechanical filtration than on those without. Now, I am not particularly good at regular maintenance so it may be that filter socks can be advantageous if cleaned every few days. If you cannot do that then they are better avoided.

The reality is that with an adequately skimmed and circulated tank, water clarity is unlikely to be a problem.
 
ca1ore said:
I am unaware of anyone who has run a legitimate experiment on this so you are left with anecdotes and personal opinions. As with most things in this hobby, opinions on filter socks run the gamut. I don't use any kind of intentional mechanical filtration on my tank. My own personal observations over many tanks is that nitrates ran higher on those with significant mechanical filtration than on those without. Now, I am not particularly good at regular maintenance so it may be that filter socks can be advantageous if cleaned every few days. If you cannot do that then they are better avoided.

The reality is that with an adequately skimmed and circulated tank, water clarity is unlikely to be a problem.
Click to expand...

IME, it does make the water slightly more clear. But I'm not good at keeping up with the maintence on them either. If it wasn't for microbubbles, I would probably just remove them all together.
 
filter sock = mechanical filtration

filter sock = mechanical filtration

My personal experience (after experimenting with and without for several years on several aquariums) is that I am in more control of the results in any aquarium when using mechanical filtration.
Bonus: mechanical filtration in many home reef systems can be employed without additional energy costs by using filter socks on drains.
For me it's a no brainer.
 
Ca1ore makes a good point: absent experiments, we are left with people's experience using socks (or not) on as many different tanks as there are people. So what works for one person may not work for another since everyone has different tanks, coral, fish, flow, etc.. That being said, I think there are 2 opinions I have heard expressed that make some sense to me. First, if it makes no difference when you add socks then why bother using them. The second thought is watch how much gunk your socks catch; would you rather have that stuff in your tank?

Personally I have used 2 socks on my tank since I started it (just over a year, so still new), so can't say what it would be like without. What I do notice is the socks are dirty when I change them (once or twice a week depending how dirty), and I happen to have unreadable nitrates. So for me, I assume they do more good than harm. Then again I don't have any nps corals, or other mainly filter feeding corals.

So to specifically answer your concerns about socks, or not, or just one,... My 2cents would be try running them. If they are too much work, and/or if nitrates are climbing, try taking them out. Or do it the other way, try without and if you aren't satisfied with water clarity or you find too much detritus accumulating in the sump add socks. Big help, eh? :)

- Ian
 
I use/switch mine out every week. Traps a lot of gunk, another form of easy nutrient export. Only negative is, it needs to switched out. Not for the lazy. In my case, undetectable nitrates, minimal algae issues..
 
I use two and change them twice a week. I think if I wasn't willing to change twice a week (a chore that takes all of about 3 minutes mind you) then I'd go without. I definitely would not leave them in there a week or two without changing as mine clog in a week.
 
Mine has been trapping lots of amphipods.. considering removing the socks. I get lazy and change it when it clogs
 
I would much rather things float freely throughout the system, than getting caught up in a filter sock for days on end. Leftover food would be a good example of this. Nothing can utilize that food when it's rotting away in a sock. Those frozen foods can be kind of messy sometimes.
 
Those of you that changed from socks to no socks. Do you have to clean the sump more frequently?
 
I usually use a power head to stir things up in my sump right before a water change, (weekly) but I don't really consider this to be an added chore so to say. Being that this is done on a regular basis, it never seems to get dirty down there.
 
I run them only when doing maintenance that stirs up a lot of crud (water changes, blasting blasting rocks with a turkey baster, etc). I actually use some bleached stocking that come 5 pair for a dollar. I get some funny looks when I buy them. (I'm a 6'4", 280lb guy):crazy1:
 
m0nkie said:
Those of you that changed from socks to no socks. Do you have to clean the sump more frequently?
Click to expand...

Whether one uses filter socks, or any kind of mechanical filtration, or does not use them, it will not change the amount of detritus produced by the tank. It's got to go somewhere. I don't like or use socks for reasons I've articulated many times here on RC, but I don't dismiss the appeal of removing detritus. So, I designed a settling chamber into my sump that gets cleaned out every time I do a water change. The remainder of my sump remains relatively clear.
 
ca1ore said:
Whether one uses filter socks, or any kind of mechanical filtration, or does not use them, it will not change the amount of detritus produced by the tank. It's got to go somewhere. I don't like or use socks for reasons I've articulated many times here on RC, but I don't dismiss the appeal of removing detritus. So, I designed a settling chamber into my sump that gets cleaned out every time I do a water change. The remainder of my sump remains relatively clear.
Click to expand...

That is a rather nice idea.

I run a ladder of socks, 100 micron, 50, and 10. My tank runs rather clear.

I have to change the 100 about every 5 days. The others, not so much.

I have a course for getting socks in bulk if anyone is interested - they come down to about a buck and a half a piece.
 
I quit running them, and since then my pod population has shot up. Guess that's one benefit of not running them lol. O and no changing them :D
 
filter socks

I'm a notorious rock blower. Using a turkey baster 2-3x a week to clear off my rock. This is where a filter sock comes in very handy for me. My power heads keep the crap suspended long enough for the majority of it is removed via the over flow, where my sock traps it.
Although a pain at times to change out, I really like the benefits of having them. I've ran a tank without, will never do so again. :)
 
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