How fast should filter socks clog?

[nightOwl]

I think I will order some new ones and see if there is any noticeable difference. I thought there was a place to buy them in bulk and I have to track that website down.

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.

Reverend Reefer - mine are not stinking just clogging faster than I would like.

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

canrio - if you find a way please let me know

 

[funkejj]

I only use socks when I am doing a water change to catch any crap that gets stirred up. when the water clears up from any gunk I take it off. At most a sock stays on my tank for 48 hours. Any longer than that they get clogged with crap and can turn into a nitrate factory.

 

[vanburen]

Do you wash them after changing or switch to new ones (seems expensive)?

 

[trigger186]

wash them, it'd be pretty expensive to replace them every few days with a new sock

 

[Benson0219]

^ I do mine in the washer on the rinse cycle then let them air dry...

 

[nightOwl]

I only use socks when I am doing a water change to catch any crap that gets stirred up. when the water clears up from any gunk I take it off. At most a sock stays on my tank for 48 hours. Any longer than that they get clogged with crap and can turn into a nitrate factory.

I keep them rotated and also keep an eye on my nitrates. So far so good with the new tank.

Do you wash them after changing or switch to new ones (seems expensive)?

I was them every other cycle with bleach and mild detergent. Then I rinse in clean water and use Prime to remove any chlorine from the bleach.

wash them, it'd be pretty expensive to replace them every few days with a new sock

+1 on just washing. I am close to just going the fabric store and getting some felt and making my own.

^ I do mine in the washer on the rinse cycle then let them air dry...

I also let them air dry as well. I tried drying one time and they got all fuzzy on me.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

I usually run 10micron daily and can get about 4days, but I only have 7 fish in my 90gal. I also feed very light. Both sizes are felt and 7"x16". Remember size matters as well as microns.

When I do water changes and kick crap up on purpose I toss in my 5microns for a few hours then switch back to 10's.

I keep 4 - 10's, and 2 - 5's for rotations. Cleaned quickly by hand, then in the wash they go. I usually get 5-6mths before I pitch them.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I change my 200 micron socks only once a week and have no nitrate issues. I turn off return pump during feedings and turn it on after all food has been ate.
I can not make sense of getting rid of the nitrifying bacteria in the socks. This bacteria in the sock is not going to produce any more nitrate than that on the live rock or sand. That is of course unless you let food trap in the socks.
My nitrates at the moment are 2ppm and im feeding 3 cubes a day in a 125 gal tank with my skimmer off since im fighting Dinoflagellates ( that are belived to be given favorable growing conditions in Ultra low nutrient levels).
Before increasing feeding to 3 cubes a day my nirates were in range of 0.25ppm to 0.75ppm

 

[garyinco]

Dinos suck, don't they? Took me 15 months of fighting them. Finally in remission, I hope. Now back to the subject at hand...

This is why I've never used socks. I know I wouldn't long term keep up the routine. Bulk Reef Supply has an intriguing product now by a German company that in essence rotates out a sock equivalent onto a spool that is discarded when used up. Search their site for "Theiling" to see it. It is expensive though and pretty darned large. If I had room I'd jump all over one. Can't wait to read some reviews on it.

 

[CStrickland]

Bulk Reef Supply has an intriguing product now by a German company that in essence rotates out a sock equivalent onto a spool that is discarded when used up. Search their site for "Theiling" to see it. It is expensive though and pretty darned large. If I had room I'd jump all over one. Can't wait to read some reviews on it.

Yeah that spooler is dope! It looks extremely DIY-able too, if you could find a material to replace the filter with. I make filter socks out of cheap craft felt, I feel like that could aaaalmost work but I'm not quite handy enough to rig the motor parts of the contraption.
There's a vid on YouTube from macna about it too.

 

[DBR_reef]

Yeah that spooler is dope! It looks extremely DIY-able too, if you could find a material to replace the filter with. I make filter socks out of cheap craft felt, I feel like that could aaaalmost work but I'm not quite handy enough to rig the motor parts of the contraption.
There's a vid on YouTube from macna about it too.

Bulk Reef Supply has an intriguing product now by a German company that in essence rotates out a sock equivalent onto a spool that is discarded when used up. Search their site for "Theiling" to see it. It is expensive though and pretty darned large. If I had room I'd jump all over one. Can't wait to read some reviews on it.

I built my own own auto filter that is very compact and cost about $60 to make. not sure if links work but here is a how to- a very easy build. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2552341
or search automatic mechanical filter

 

[DBR_reef]

whoops- http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2552341