To Filter Sock or Not???

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

So after having the tank up a month I am definitely tired of the filter sock routine. Pull a nasty filter sock, mess with the protein skimmer because its freaking out about the clean sock, finally get it dialed in somewhere over the next 24 hours, and then repeat again. Given the disgusting brown color inside the sock it is definitely pulling stuff from the water column, but is the hassle worth it. Give me your thoughts RC...You may help convince me to pull this dirty sock and run without.

[Capiross1]

I went with the happy medium and when to the nylon socks (I think that's what they are) from BRS and added a power head to keep things moving in my sump, I'm still able to catch larger stuff, this has cut down my filter sock maintenance a ton


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[Jeff4777]

Originally Posted by Capiross1

I went with the happy medium and when to the nylon socks (I think that's what they are) from BRS and added a power head to keep things moving in my sump, I'm still able to catch larger stuff, this has cut down my filter sock maintenance a ton


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Same, here!

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-me...stic-ring.html

Pretty happy with these.

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

So today I thought well I will just put the clean filter sock in the sump for a little bit...

Boy was that a mistake, glad I cleaned the protein skimmer first. I think I am done with filter socks. Maybe I will try the mesh

[MikeyAl]

I am happy with filter socks. Once a week I take it out and replace with a clean. At same time I clean my skimmer. It's just part of my weekly maintenance.


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[SammyL]

I do not use them, never have so not sure how much help I am to you.

[polaravic]

If don't need the filter socks to eliminate bubbles, I wouldn't use them because they can become nitrate traps. Temporary use to 'clear the tank' is all I do.

polaravic

PS I had to use them on my 100 gal corner tank because there was only room for a 20 gal sump underneath plus the return pump so no baffling. Back then I would change the sock every 3 days, dump it in a bucket of water to soak until I had 3 or 4 socks to put through the washing machine in cold water only. This routine worked very well but I must admit I am very glad not to have to do that any more. Yeaaaa!!!

[ric167]

i personally love keeping my sump as clean as possible so i use filter socks i have no weird issues with the skimmer after changing the socks...do u by chance wash your filter socks with bleach or other harsh chemicals...i soak my filter socks with hydrogen peroxide for a few days then sanitary cycle in the wash...no reaction with skimmer

[Green Chromis]

I have been using filter socks for years, never had a problem with the skimmer reacting in a crazy way. They are a bit more maintenance, but I like what they pull out of the water column and help keep my sump cleaner, with the rest of my system. I just wash them with the garden hose, using a nozzle, and then sun dry them for a few days. If they are really dirty after rinsing with fresh water I will soak them in a bucket with peroxide, and then dry them in the sun. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, as I think the socks will help ease the long term maintenance in your system.

[Reef Frog]

Bl4ckDragon, I couldn't tell what your problem was by looking at your photo...

I wish my AIO Red Sea had a filter sock. It uses a floss pad which is OK but I have filter sock envy and my next system will defiantly have them on line.

Do you NEED one? No. But take a look at what they pull out in a week and ask yourself "'Do I want this in my system?" If you think you're intercepting pods for your Mandarin then go without and figure out how to remove it from the sumo.

If you see that funk breaking down and fueling your incorrigible algae issue, then don't be lazy and just deal with it, IMHO. It isn't a nitrate factory if you clean it after all. Nobody said reef keeping is a no work no hassle hobby. This ain't stamp collecting.

[homer1475]

I agree with Reef Frog, I change my socks every three days. They are typically full of pods, uneaten food, algae bits, and god knows what else! I don't want that floating around my sump or my display.

I rinse it out at the sink, soak in tap water and bleach overnight, next day rinse out in tap, then soak overnight in tap and prime. Air dry the next day.

I also soak mine in my sump before using them(otherwise I have to fiddle with the skimmer), but with my setup I can soak them after the skimmer(drain/skimmer section, refugium section, return section is how my sump is setup, so I soak them in the fuge section).

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

The problem in that picture is an overflowing skimmer. I had it wide open and and it was still spewing water. I agree that I definitely have been observing the filter socks pulling crap from the water. I have typically rinsed them under the sink and then run them through the washing machine with an extra rinse cycle. No detergent, no bleach, and then let them air dry. I have been changing them every 3 or 4 days.The issue may just be more my skimmer than anything. I got it calmed down without the filter sock and it skimmed quite a bit of junk over 24 hours, so I dumped the cup and cleaned it out, and now I am struggling to get the skimmer happy again. I can see both sides of the argument for and against filter socks. In the picture above I had placed the filter sock in the sump to soak with the old one still in place hoping it would make things easier but it was a fail.

[jml1149]

I don't understand how the presence or lack of filter socks affects the skimmer? Is the water too clean?

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

I do not know if anyone knows the why, but a skimmer can overflow when a filter sock is placed in the sump, and the bubbles in the skimmer collapse when your hand goes in the sump. It is supposed to be less severe once the filter sock has been washed, but the sock I placed in the sump has been washed at least 3 times and the skimmer just went nuts when it hit the water.

[homer1475]

Originally Posted by Bl4ckDr4g0n

I do not know if anyone knows the why, but a skimmer can overflow when a filter sock is placed in the sump, and the bubbles in the skimmer collapse when your hand goes in the sump. It is supposed to be less severe once the filter sock has been washed, but the sock I placed in the sump has been washed at least 3 times and the skimmer just went nuts when it hit the water.

This is the reason I soak my socks, but always after the skimmer.

In your picture the soaking is directly before the skimmer. In essence your basically still just changing the sock(new sock is still infront of the skimmer). I would try to soak it in the return section for the way your sump is setup.

Last night in a hurry(sock was overflowing) I just threw a new one on with no soaking. No bubble head collapse or over skimming this time. No idea if its because they have been washed quite a few times now, or the fact I soak them in prime then let them air dry?

[Jscwerve]

I had that problem with new socks. Install filter sock, and the skimmer would go insane immediately.

I got around it by making sure I soaked the sock I was going to use next in RODI and prime for about an hour before changing. Skimmer problem eliminated.

Now I have enough socks that I save up enough for a small load to go into the washing machine. I use a hot water cycle and just bleach. I set it to do an extra rinse cycle.

I air dry the socks and do not use them for at least three days to be certain all the bleach is gone. I have no need to soak my socks first any more, skimmer stays calm. I change it out every 2-3 days. Takes 30 seconds and seeing what it pulls out of the tank, it's definitely worth the five minutes a week it takes to keep using them (in my setup anyways).