SPS keepers, do you run fileter socks?

OneReef

Reef Guru
I am sure this has been discussed many times, but it is hard to filter through all the searches.

If you are predominately SPS, do you run a filter sock or not? And if so, do you run 100 or 200 microns?
 
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i have been running filter sock at the over flow and changed every 3 days . Washed with Bleach ....
 
I have one that's to be used only when the tank or sump is in maintenance to catch any heavy detris that is stired up.
never thought of keeping one inline so this should be an interesting thread to watch.
 
I used to run one for a couple of years when I began this hobby, but for the last year or so I have been running without. Now that I am going all SPS, that is why I had the curiosity about starting it again. Clean water for SPS. I just added a sock to my drain line and I could not believe how clear the water got within minutes. No particles, no microbubbles, pure and clean. It was quite remarkable this difference. Night and day.
 
back and forth over the years using mechanical filters and running without them.

I currently run a 10 micron 24/7 but sometimes I'll insert a 100 micron.
No shortage of "SPS food" in my system due to 100% mechanical filtration 24/7.
 
Yes I've been using 200microns for years. Have no idea how the water is if wihout it.
So far so good for me..water always looks crystal clear.
 
I miss running my socks they do polish the water and nice to have when doing water changes and cleaning the sand..they do get clogged easily so i used them for a couple of days cleaned them and replaced them with another set . that was already cleaned and dried ..with the new tank i didn't set them up but after this i just might put them back on.
 
No socks, the detritus is blown around and the skimmer takes care of it. I only use socks when I work in the tank or do a large waterchange, just to clear the tank up fast again.

Leonardo
 
I see all the stuff that the sock collects (so I don't know about the comment that you won't see any difference). so if there is no sock, doesn't all that stuff just stay in the sump. becoming a nitrate factory? I highly doubt the skimmer bubbles can float larger items (meaning larger than a few hundred microns) up its neck to the collection cup. or can it? the sumps I have seen with no filter sock don't look as clean, specially those that run macroalgae, which essentially traps all the detritus and becoming a nitrate factory. sure they will eventually break down, but isn't it faster to "export" it every two days by changing the sock? I'm looking for a better reason not to use sock than just socks suck. for now, I see no reason not to use one.
 
I stopped using a sock because it was a little hastle to try and get one to work effectively on my herbie's main drain... I will however be making an extra long one so I can in future run one.
 
I see all the stuff that the sock collects (so I don't know about the comment that you won't see any difference). so if there is no sock, doesn't all that stuff just stay in the sump. becoming a nitrate factory? I highly doubt the skimmer bubbles can float larger items (meaning larger than a few hundred microns) up its neck to the collection cup. or can it? the sumps I have seen with no filter sock don't look as clean, specially those that run macroalgae, which essentially traps all the detritus and becoming a nitrate factory. sure they will eventually break down, but isn't it faster to "export" it every two days by changing the sock? I'm looking for a better reason not to use sock than just socks suck. for now, I see no reason not to use one.

I have a 66x turnover (1320 Gallon in 200 Gallon tank). Also the sump is high flow everywhere. BB tank, high flow everywhere and wet skimming allows the detritus to be exported by the skimmer. I don't find detritus anywhere besides in the collection cup :) I think wet skimming makes you able to export larger particles.

If I had a tank with less flow and detritus accumulated in the sump maybe I would use a sock. But I would change it every day to prevent the collected detritus to break down.

Leonardo
 
I run them only when I do heavy cleaning. I run a 100 micron on the drain and 10 micron on the skimmer output. I cleaned my coast-to-coast overflow last week and collected a pound of bubble algae, red mat algae, aiptasia, coralline flakes, other trash. And sadly 100's of baby brittle stars went to their doom.
 
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