So who is not running filter socks or Floss

[jonnyu]

So let us know if your not and why and how long you have been running this way? as well some details about your tank would be nice

 

[homebrwr]

I would like to read the replies to this. I don't want to use socks but i get tons of microbubbles in the display when i try to run without them.. :0)

 

[DRThompson]

Ran socks for about 6 months, now 1.5years sock free

Didnt like buying them, changing them, cleaning them or replacing them. Tank does fine without. I do run a polyfilter on occasion, however.

You've seen my tank Jonny

 

[homebrwr]

Ran socks for about 6 months, now 1.5years sock free

Didnt like buying them, changing them, cleaning them or replacing them. Tank does fine without. I do run a polyfilter on occasion, however.

You've seen my tank Jonny[/QUOTE

+1 on maintenance...
I have a 180.. Two overflows. Do you have any microbubble issues? If so how did you stop them?

 

[jonnyu]

I would like to read the replies to this. I don't want to use socks but i get tons of microbubbles in the display when i try to run without them.. :0)

If you stick a piece of pipe into the bulkhead that drains into the sock that is below the water level of sump you can Control bubbles

 

[rovster]

I run filter pad in a HOB filter on my 30. It gets gunked up every few days. I change it 2-3 times a week. I pre cut them ahead of time so it's easy.

 

[betamed]

I never did for years but now I like using one with a large mesh. It keeps debris out of the pumps in the sump. I ran a fine sock for a little while and while I think it helped water clarity the upkeep was too much

 

[AquamanE]

i run floss at all times, change it weekly. filter sock here and there.

 

[jonnyu]

i run floss at all times, change it weekly. filter sock here and there.

Your sump has tray and sock holder ?

 

[AquamanE]

Your sump has tray and sock holder ?

Tray for floss. Filter socks i shove into drain pipe.

 

[dadummy]

I am not, used to run socks until started bio pellets/carbon dosing, bacteria would clog the socks in no time. Now very little carbon dosing and still no sock. I don't notice any difference, tank looks like crap with or without it.

 

[Reef Junky]

I never have. When I do water change I stir up any debris in the sump beforevi completely drain in to refill it with the new water. I have external swc skimmer and have an old overflow box placed in my sump where it returns. Keeps the bubbles from going to the return pump.

second picture is before I switched this tank over to reef. It was a fowlr.

 

[Gillguy]

This topic comes up every once in a awhile. I know many people have success not using them. However for me I can't understand how their tanks are actually cleaner because my sock is nasty after 5 days. Yes I have to clean it but if I didn't use it all that nasty junk would be all over the sump and the water column. Like I said, if it works for you great but I will always run my tanks with socks.

 

[mlivvy]

I got sick of washing socks. So I went without and my sump (which was always clean) turned gross after a few weeks from detritus. I decided to try floss and it was easy and just as effective. I purchased a fish holding container like this..

I cut the bottom out and put some eggcrate in to hold the floss. It works great.

 

[jay13]

I run a sock and hate it. Have to change them twice a week minimum. Without it though there would be pieces of nori all over from the tangs and detritus flowing about. Guess I am stuck with it.

 

[SawdustInTank]

I got sick of washing socks. So I went without and my sump (which was always clean) turned gross after a few weeks from detritus. I decided to try floss and it was easy and just as effective. I purchased a fish holding container like this..

I cut the bottom out and put some eggcrate in to hold the floss. It works great.

I like this idea! I currently don't use either but always wanted to make some kind of filter floss tray. I thought of making something out of egg crate but this looks alot easier. I find that when I did run floss on the wet dry I had, the water clarity was lot better.

 

[Fuel1976]

For a year I was running felt socks, hated washing them and changing them every couple days. Recently changed to mesh socks and I like the reduced maintenance (change once a week). Only time I run a felt sock is for about 24 hrs following a water change. Display tank is 90 gal with 1" sand bed, live rock and a 30 gal fuge. Since changing to the mesh socks (as opposed to felt) the tank is still clear and healthy. Tank is mostly zoas & palys, a couple SPS & LPS, 2 BTA, 9 fish a few shrimp and a CUC.

 

[ravedood]

With as much crap that a filter socks catches, why would you not want to run with them? Am I missing something?

 

[knukles55]

I just run a sponge filter to trap any big debree before it goes to the return pump. tank is a 30 gallon deep blue rimless tank with a 15gallon sump estimating 600 gph

 

[jay13]

With as much crap that a filter socks catches, why would you not want to run with them? Am I missing something?

Some of the locals with the nicest sps tanks claim they didn't get there until they removed the filter sock. Their argument was we are starving our corals by trying to produce tanks with crystal clear water. I just hate cleaning filter socks.