filter socks???
- Thread starter skwirl
- Start date
What is everyone's opinion on filter socks? I had been running them on my BB and thought I was going to get tarred and feathered when I brought it up. I wasn't having any problems as far as the detritus breaking down, I don't think. Anyway, I quit using them and haven't really noticed a difference in skim mate or increases in my levels. Just wanted someone else's opinion.
Rob
Rob
imsqueak
Premium Member
Rob, I run them almost 24/7 because I'm BB w/ dirtritus issues and want anything that gets into the overflows out of the tank via the sock or skimmer. Benefit is to have a week's worth of socks and run the dirty ones through the laundry machine once a week. I run my washer on a short/hot cycle before I run a normal cycle to clean the socks. Let them dry completely before use. I have no PO4 issues doing it this way.
awcurl
Premium Member
They are great as long as your responsible enough to change them out when they get dirty. I use one 24 - 7 but I change it out before it becomes a nitrate factory.
Your right about not many people in the club them. I offered them to everyone interested at the last meeting held at my home and had very few takers.
Your right about not many people in the club them. I offered them to everyone interested at the last meeting held at my home and had very few takers.
cee
New member
I ran them for a few months, but my acro colors started to suffer even though I changed them every 2-3 days. After a little research, I came to the conclusion that the detritus is breaking down faster in the sock than I could change them. Also, some "stuff" in the water column is good for feeding the corals, and I felt the 100 micron sock was filtering too much of it out. So recently, I've started just using them when I do water changes to trap detritus when I blow off rocks, etc. You'll find many opinions here, some from well-known reefers:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=582859&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Interesting about BB, but Bomber, a big advocate, apparently doesn't use them. HTH.
Dave
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=582859&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Interesting about BB, but Bomber, a big advocate, apparently doesn't use them. HTH.
Dave
Last edited:
imsqueak
Premium Member
I have my overflows dumping directly into my sock. My target removal time is before they clog and over run the top of the bag. For me that's 2 days or daily if I'm in the mood to stand over the tank blowing off rocks.
Yes, stuff will begin breakdown in the bags in a matter of hours. It will also breakdown in the tank and sump in a matter of hours wont it? The sock is in the same sump chamber as the skimmer so will that help skim some of it or does the skimmer not effectively remove once broken down?. Does adding 1500gph flow through the sock accelerate breakdown? (seems it would) I don't know. I'm thinking I may try running them every other day. hook up sock and blow off rocks, let the sock stay till I get home the next day. Give it that day as a break without sock and do it all over again. On the weekend, blow the heck out of the rock and BB and run siphon hose into sock in the sump before SW change.
Side note; you cant imagine how much crud is in our live rocks. I didn't "cook" mine but I'm pulling one at a time to feed nudis and the crud that they dump on the bottom of my nursery tank is amazing. And that's without daily swishing process that "cooking" uses. Seriously considering doing this while I'm virtually coral-less.
Yes, stuff will begin breakdown in the bags in a matter of hours. It will also breakdown in the tank and sump in a matter of hours wont it? The sock is in the same sump chamber as the skimmer so will that help skim some of it or does the skimmer not effectively remove once broken down?. Does adding 1500gph flow through the sock accelerate breakdown? (seems it would) I don't know. I'm thinking I may try running them every other day. hook up sock and blow off rocks, let the sock stay till I get home the next day. Give it that day as a break without sock and do it all over again. On the weekend, blow the heck out of the rock and BB and run siphon hose into sock in the sump before SW change.
Side note; you cant imagine how much crud is in our live rocks. I didn't "cook" mine but I'm pulling one at a time to feed nudis and the crud that they dump on the bottom of my nursery tank is amazing. And that's without daily swishing process that "cooking" uses. Seriously considering doing this while I'm virtually coral-less.
