filter socks

bmullikin1 · 09/24/2007, 03:42 AM

have 1 25micron filter sock in my sump, just wondering how often everyone changes them, daily,2days etc. i know it depends on alot of factors just curious. do people also dip sock in declorinator after bleaching and air dry.

JetCat USA · 09/24/2007, 05:58 AM

with a 25 micron usually more often but they should be changed at least daily. on the bleach if you're adding it to the wash with them you only need to let it air dry completely for complete evaporation of the chlorine.

iwishtofish · 09/24/2007, 06:23 AM

Once they air dry, is all the chlorine (and anything else harmful) completely gone?

JetCat USA · 09/24/2007, 06:43 AM

the chlorine is, there shouldn't be anything else in the wash with them.

aquarius77 · 09/24/2007, 07:26 AM

I use a 100 micron and i change it when it starts to get clogged.

Mavrk · 09/24/2007, 08:22 AM

Yeah, 25 micron is pretty small. You will have to change that more often. Most people use a 100 or 200 micron unless you have specific use for a 25.

ACBlinky · 09/24/2007, 10:31 AM

I change my filter sock every 24h. The odd time I let it slide, and skip a day, but I try not to do that - the tank stays cleaner if I change it daily and it's really not a big chore.

I pre-rinse and then soak the dirty sock in hot water with two capfulls of bleach. I remove it when I put a new sock on the tank the next day so there's always one in use, a dirty one in the bucket, and a clean one drying at any given time. When I take the bleached sock from the bucket, I rinse it under the tap (HOT water) and beat the sock against the walls of a bucket until it's completely white again - saves me having to go down to the washing machine, and works just as well.

Aquarist007 · 09/24/2007, 10:49 AM

if you are using the giant size micron bag(100) you should change it every three days----it is big enough to last 8 days but some of the stuff it is filtering out might get back into the tank by then

JetCat USA · 09/24/2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
if you are using the giant size micron bag(100) you should change it every three days----it is big enough to last 8 days but some of the stuff it is filtering out might get back into the tank by then

if you leave any micron size on for 3-8 days it's taking everything it trapped and converting it to NO3, regardless of size they should be changed daily, the more often for the 25 micron is because they tend start overflowing fairly quickly and at that point they aren't accomplishing anything.

Mrs Blinky, that's the reason I've got a dozen or so socks for each system, do a quick change, drop the olds in a bucket and do a once a week wash in the washer

Shagsbeard · 09/24/2007, 11:30 AM

I've found that continual use of a filter sock really isn't desirable. I run one for one week a month and the tank is actually better off for it. Most of the gunk picked up by the sock would be skimmed out, or digested by some bacteria or critter in the tank.

Running a 25 micron filter is going to filter out much of the phytoplanton that is the start of a healthy food cycle. I guess that could be a good thing, but I kind of like my tank to have some natural phyto growing in it.

Aquarist007 · 09/24/2007, 11:49 AM

you guys are absolutely right-------I have been taking steps to remove the filter bag all together---besides the external fug I want to create a mud/mangrove one in the sump and take away the sock.
You might be interested in reading what we have been discussing on this thread:
all pointers are appreciated

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1207565

Aquarist007 · 09/24/2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ACBlinky
I change my filter sock every 24h. The odd time I let it slide, and skip a day, but I try not to do that - the tank stays cleaner if I change it daily and it's really not a big chore.

I pre-rinse and then soak the dirty sock in hot water with two capfulls of bleach. I remove it when I put a new sock on the tank the next day so there's always one in use, a dirty one in the bucket, and a clean one drying at any given time. When I take the bleached sock from the bucket, I rinse it under the tap (HOT water) and beat the sock against the walls of a bucket until it's completely white again - saves me having to go down to the washing machine, and works just as well.

thanks for the tip-----I've been sneaking them in the washingmachine when no one has been looking.

Mavrk · 09/24/2007, 11:53 AM

I stopped using socks after the first few weeks of my tank setup. The ones I were using were 200 micron.

ACBlinky · 09/24/2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
thanks for the tip-----I've been sneaking them in the washingmachine when no one has been looking.

You're most welcome! This system is just what works for me, and it means I don't have to store a bunch of stinky filter socks for a week before I wash them all, which makes hubby happy. It also saves a trip down to the washer, waiting for the machine, and paying for a wash cycle (we live in an apartment building). Not to mention, there is only one washer and one dryer on each floor, serving about 20 apartments - it's tough to get a load of laundry done at the best of times, and when I get my turn if there's only time for one load, I'd rather be washing my clothing than my filter socks

09/24/2007, 03:42 AM	#1
bmullikin1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seminole florida Posts: 1,797	filter socks have 1 25micron filter sock in my sump, just wondering how often everyone changes them, daily,2days etc. i know it depends on alot of factors just curious. do people also dip sock in declorinator after bleaching and air dry.

09/24/2007, 10:31 AM	#7
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I change my filter sock every 24h. The odd time I let it slide, and skip a day, but I try not to do that - the tank stays cleaner if I change it daily and it's really not a big chore. I pre-rinse and then soak the dirty sock in hot water with two capfulls of bleach. I remove it when I put a new sock on the tank the next day so there's always one in use, a dirty one in the bucket, and a clean one drying at any given time. When I take the bleached sock from the bucket, I rinse it under the tap (HOT water) and beat the sock against the walls of a bucket until it's completely white again - saves me having to go down to the washing machine, and works just as well. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

09/24/2007, 10:49 AM	#8
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	if you are using the giant size micron bag(100) you should change it every three days----it is big enough to last 8 days but some of the stuff it is filtering out might get back into the tank by then __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/24/2007, 11:49 AM	#11
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	you guys are absolutely right-------I have been taking steps to remove the filter bag all together---besides the external fug I want to create a mud/mangrove one in the sump and take away the sock. You might be interested in reading what we have been discussing on this thread: all pointers are appreciated http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1207565 __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/24/2007, 05:58 AM	#2
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	with a 25 micron usually more often but they should be changed at least daily. on the bleach if you're adding it to the wash with them you only need to let it air dry completely for complete evaporation of the chlorine.

09/24/2007, 06:23 AM	#3
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Once they air dry, is all the chlorine (and anything else harmful) completely gone?

09/24/2007, 06:43 AM	#4
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	the chlorine is, there shouldn't be anything else in the wash with them.

09/24/2007, 07:26 AM	#5
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	I use a 100 micron and i change it when it starts to get clogged.

09/24/2007, 08:22 AM	#6
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Yeah, 25 micron is pretty small. You will have to change that more often. Most people use a 100 or 200 micron unless you have specific use for a 25.

09/24/2007, 11:30 AM	#10
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	I've found that continual use of a filter sock really isn't desirable. I run one for one week a month and the tank is actually better off for it. Most of the gunk picked up by the sock would be skimmed out, or digested by some bacteria or critter in the tank. Running a 25 micron filter is going to filter out much of the phytoplanton that is the start of a healthy food cycle. I guess that could be a good thing, but I kind of like my tank to have some natural phyto growing in it.

09/24/2007, 11:53 AM	#13
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	I stopped using socks after the first few weeks of my tank setup. The ones I were using were 200 micron.