How many use filter socks

[TimTen]

Hi Everyone,
I was wondering how many people use filter socks? I'm using them and changing them about every 2 weeks. I'm starting to wonder if they are helping my algea problem or making it worse. Thanks,
Tim

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

i think it would be better to change them out everyweek so whatever it catches has less time to break down in the water. JMO.

 

[Paladin]

I use them. I've been getting lazy and haven't changed them often enough, so I'll need to get into a better routine.

 

[jkreefer]

My overflow splits and dumps into 2 socks that i change out every week and wash when i have used up all 14 that i have . Makes it easy because then i can wash all my towels and filter socks in one wash load.

 

[sfsuphysics]

I wash mine out.. wish I had more so I could simply swap out and wait. Typically I wait until its so gunked up water actually flows out the end rather than through it... although I'm guessing at this point I waited too long

 

[Psionicdragon]

Suppose to change them every few days.

 

[northbay-reefer]

once a week for me, no time to do it every 2-3 days

 

[sfsuphysics]

If I had 5 or 6 of them I might change them out every few days. Then toss the rest in the wash all at once, however washing one at a time I really feel like I'm wasting water, and I don't feel like making some fancy plumbing system to drain to the back yard... though I should.. .*laugh*

Way I figure it, all the crap I see in them is better to be in the filter sock than in the tank, because that crap will get washed out.. and while it might be "making nitrates" (or whatever nitrate factor buzz terms they use today), it would still be doing that if it was sitting at the bottom of my sump until the next time I manage to clean it out.

 

[Paladin]

When you guys wash them, do you just wash with bleach (Clorox)?

 

[bookfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10518735#post10518735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
If I had 5 or 6 of them I might change them out every few days. Then toss the rest in the wash all at once, however washing one at a time I really feel like I'm wasting water, and I don't feel like making some fancy plumbing system to drain to the back yard... though I should.. .*laugh*

Way I figure it, all the crap I see in them is better to be in the filter sock than in the tank, because that crap will get washed out.. and while it might be "making nitrates" (or whatever nitrate factor buzz terms they use today), it would still be doing that if it was sitting at the bottom of my sump until the next time I manage to clean it out.

Mike, this is an interesting discussion topic. I'm gonna post a thread on the BAR forum because I think there's a basic issue being missed in this thread.
Thx-Jim

 

[Elite]

I only use them after I do wc and messing with the tank. Use for couple days and remove. I let my skimmer does all the work.

While we are still talking about the filter sock, I believe I still have some brand new socks. Anyone needs filter sock??

 

[sfsuphysics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10522618#post10522618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bookfish
Mike, this is an interesting discussion topic. I'm gonna post a thread on the BAR forum because I think there's a basic issue being missed in this thread.
Thx-Jim

Groovy Jim, I'm sure there's more than one issue being missed in any discussion that goes on. I'm eagerly anticipating your post.... although it'll probably happen after Saturday

 

[bookfish]

Nope, had a minute between laundry cycles...
http://www.bareefers.org/discussion/index.php?topic=2292.0

 

[doliver]

I too leave mine in place until it gets clogged up and the water starts pouring back over the top of the sock. That usually takes about 10 days.

Last time I had the brilliant idea of putting loose carbon in the bottom of the sock and then forgetting about it until it all overflowed out of the sock with the aforementioned water. Don't do that.