Socks or no socks, that is the question

[jeffyounggren]

I am still running filter socks on my 180 and need reassurance that getting rid of them is the thing to do. I have a good skimmer, Ca Reactor, chiller, etc. Do I need those socks?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Kent E]

Socks!

Without socks your feet get stinky! Apply this principle

 

[rob352]

LOL Thats Funny !!!!

 

[sps_addict]

lol, that is funny.

I used a filter sock for 2 years and recently (within the last 4 months) decided to stop. Now I run my skimmer wet and removed all filters and foam pads. My tank seems to be doing better, but for the long run, I'll just have to see.

 

[jackson6745]

Keep the socks! Why allow detritus to settle in your sump?

 

[MarksReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6771179#post6771179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jackson6745
Keep the socks! Why allow detritus to settle in your sump?

Exactly, I know the benifits of having them. What are the benifits of not having them?

 

[jeffyounggren]

Well, I have been told that the socks take too much nutrition out of the water and that a skimmer is more than adequate to remove the detritus. So they say; so some say.

 

[jackson6745]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6771221#post6771221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffyounggren
Well, I have been told that the socks take too much nutrition out of the water and that a skimmer is more than adequate to remove the detritus. So they say; so some say.

Tell them to prove it

I can see detritus settle in my sump if I don't use the socks....I have proof for the use of them (I also run a pretty large skimmer)

 

[cwegescheide]

FWIW I've used them for the last 4months. My water is now crystal clear. One of the big reasons I use them to be honest is to control micro bubbles from the skimmer and the drain from the reef. Without the sock I had a heck of a time controlling them.

 

[64Ivy]

Unless you're leaving all your pumps on while you're feeding, I don't know what 'nutrition' your socks coud be removing from the system. I hate the hassle of having to clean them every other day myself but I'd say their positives seem to outweigh any negatives... those negatives brought on only by poor maintenence of the aquarist.

 

[TA]

Like the results using a sock....
Hate the maintanence required to keep the sock (100 micron).
Needs frequent cleaning...like every 3-4 days TOPS (thats the part I hate!).

 

[Kent E]

I actually don't use socks but polyfill from Walmart. It comes in a kingsize bed cover and I have to cut it but them the great part is that i throw it away! I don't have to put that nasty thing in my washing machine. I'm entirely too lazy.

 

[Yose]

I bought eight 25-micron bags for my system. I change them weekly whether they're saturated or not. After I have seven used bags, I throw them all in the washing machine for three cycles with HOT water only. They come out nice and clean and ready for service. I've been using the same eight bags for more than two years with no adverse effects. The eight bags cost almost 100 dollars but I haven't had to spend a penny on mechanical filtration since the initial investment.

IMO, it's better to use them because they pull A LOT of funk out of the water. I also believe that they must be monitored because the water flushing through the bag assists in breakdown of the detritus. You need to get the junk out of the tank before it breaks down.

In essence, the bags can either be a benefit or a detriment... It all depends on how closely you monitor them.

HTH

 

[smalltime]

I've read about people that do not use socks but drain there sump during maitinace/water change and wipe clean to remove all crap that settled in the sump. I personally run 2 socks and try to change out every week but turns into every 2 weeks. Every 6 months I drain sump remove all equipment and clean everything. It's kind of like spring cleaning when you take out the stove and find everything under there. I really need to start cleaning my sump at 3 month intervals.

 

[jsweir]

I change mine everyday when I turn off the pump to feed. Only take a minute or two.

 

[Yose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6772558#post6772558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jsweir
I change mine everyday when I turn off the pump to feed. Only take a minute or two.

What type of socks are you using? Are you using a small ones or large ones?

The bags in my tank are 12" X 8" and would be impossible to keep up with on a constant change basis. The Idea of changing it every day sounds good but I'm wondering how feasible the idea is going to be?

Are your bags reusable or disposable? If they are reusable how do you keep up with the constant turnover of bags.

 

[jsweir]

I have 6 of these:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=EA1351

I switch them out in the sump every day, then when the last clean one is in - I wash them in water with a little bleach and let them dry completely overnight and start over.

 

[jeffyounggren]

Perhaps that is a reason I have been having trouble with my tanke. I have been switching them every six days or so. Bad for water?

 

[DMK]

i cannot think of a reason not to use filter socks as long as u have a few and swap out and wash every week or so. i'll ever go sockless.

 

[jsweir]

Bomber used to promote NOT using filter socks due to the fact that if left in your system, the water flowing through them has time to dissolve the materials caught in them. My thought has always been if you change them enough, the benefits outweigh the consequences. So maybe in your case you are letting to much detrius dissolve in the system?