How fast should filter socks clog?

[nightOwl]

So I recently upgraded to a new 180 and now I am facing something that bothers me. My filter socks seem to be clogging every other day or so which seems a bit fast for me. I currently have 6 fish in the tank and a small clean up crew. I plan to slowing move my corals over in the coming weeks. I did not use live rock to cycle the tank and only used BRS dry pukani rock. On my 90 I could go almost a week before the filter socks would clog. I have tried using the mesh filter socks, but the intake section of my sump just becomes a detritus town. I do not remember having this problem when setting up tanks in the past but I do however have more flow in this tank than I have had in the past.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ColaAddict]

I never had problems ever since I switched to a mesh filter sock. I only switch or rinse once a month. My tank is crystal clear with the mesh. All you have to do when dirty is flip inside out and rinse. BRS sells them, give em a try and you'll be alot happier.

 

[briankmarsh1980]

I have felt and mesh socks and I have to change them about every 3 days

 

[jarrett]

i change mine every 2-3 days on my 90 gal.

 

[thegrun]

3 times a week for me, more to keep the bacteria from colonizing the sock (and thus adding nitrates) than them being excessively dirty.

 

[Rowdeus]

What micron are the socks? Are they felt or mesh?My felt 100 micron clog ever 3-5 days. My felt 200's clog about 10-14 days.

 

[crvz]

You probably don't want to keep the socks in the water very long in any case. More than 1 or 2 days can cause an issue with nitrates. The wastes exposed to high flow and high oxygen levels will create a pretty good means of breaking down into nitrates quickly. of probably bigger concern is that you have enough free wastes to clog the socks that quickly. Do you feed a lot? Or something else that's not typical to clog them? It's good that you're able to mechanically remove that stuff from the tank, but think about eliminating the source of the detritus if at all possible.

 

[snorvich]

You probably don't want to keep the socks in the water very long in any case. More than 1 or 2 days can cause an issue with nitrates. The wastes exposed to high flow and high oxygen levels will create a pretty good means of breaking down into nitrates quickly. of probably bigger concern is that you have enough free wastes to clog the socks that quickly. Do you feed a lot? Or something else that's not typical to clog them? It's good that you're able to mechanically remove that stuff from the tank, but think about eliminating the source of the detritus if at all possible.

Superb advice. I normally recommend every other day but every day is better still. I am concerned that there is even a possibility of "clogging"; what are you feeding?

 

[Benson0219]

On my 29 gallon I change mine every three days.

 

[nightOwl]

What micron are the socks? Are they felt or mesh?My felt 100 micron clog ever 3-5 days. My felt 200's clog about 10-14 days.

Rowdeus - I am not even sure which ones they are. The just look like felt filter socks to me . I brought them so long ago. That could be part of my problem in hind site.

You probably don't want to keep the socks in the water very long in any case. More than 1 or 2 days can cause an issue with nitrates. The wastes exposed to high flow and high oxygen levels will create a pretty good means of breaking down into nitrates quickly. of probably bigger concern is that you have enough free wastes to clog the socks that quickly. Do you feed a lot? Or something else that's not typical to clog them? It's good that you're able to mechanically remove that stuff from the tank, but think about eliminating the source of the detritus if at all possible.

Superb advice. I normally recommend every other day but every day is better still. I am concerned that there is even a possibility of "clogging"; what are you feeding?

crvz and snorvich - I have been feeding a lot as I have been trying to get my new fish to try new foods. I have been trying to wean my 6 glass cardinals off of mysis...in the process I have been feeding pretty heavy with anything from flakes to pellets.

I never had problems ever since I switched to a mesh filter sock. I only switch or rinse once a month. My tank is crystal clear with the mesh. All you have to do when dirty is flip inside out and rinse. BRS sells them, give em a try and you'll be alot happier.

ColaAddict - I tried the BRS mesh socks and they are not cutting it for me. They were how I noticed the filter socks were not catching the stuff fast enough. They were good for the big pieces of stuff but the mess lets really fine things through.



Thanks everyone for the feedback! I think I will cut back on the feeding of the fish a bit and hope I can switch them over to new foods without loosing any fish. I just feel bad not feeding them for a day or two since they came in so skinny.

 

[WestChesterReef]

Just curious, Do you turn your return pump off while feeding? I do, and I replace my felt ones every few days

 

[nightOwl]

Just curious, Do you turn your return pump off while feeding? I do, and I replace my felt ones every few days

WestChesterReef - I turn off return, skimmer, main lights, and only run one pump when in feed mode.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

Filter socks take out the stuff you put in. If you want them clogging less, put less in the tank.

Jeff

 

[lordofthereef]

What micron are they? The smaller they are the faster they will clog, but I wouldn't say 1-2 days is too fast. As has been mentioned, leaving them in longer, regardless of them still having some flow, could potentially pose a problem with nitrates.

 

[nightOwl]

What micron are they? The smaller they are the faster they will clog, but I wouldn't say 1-2 days is too fast. As has been mentioned, leaving them in longer, regardless of them still having some flow, could potentially pose a problem with nitrates.

I brought them long ago and I can not remember the micron size they are. I think I will order some new ones this week. I am reducing the amount of food I am putting in the tank this week to see if there is any change.

 

[Reverend Reefer]

i gave up on my filter sock since it got clogged every 2 days. man they stink huh? i had 2 going but its just too much work.

 

[luisgo]

Instead of filter socks I use an overflow from eshopps with two foam filters. For me its easier to clean. I clean them 3 times a week.

 

[lhope4000]

i change mine every 3 to 4 d

 

[lhope4000]

200 micron felt . 180gl

 

[canrio]

Mine need to be changed every 2 days. How can I get rid of them without affecting water quality?