Filter Sock Usage Poll - Page 2

Dapg8gt · 10/23/2012, 04:28 PM

Never used socks. I just clean the sump detritus out maybe monthly with a shop vac at WC's. I do have filter pads that get rinsed weekly in the systems.

Patrick Cox · 10/31/2012, 08:38 PM

Good poll.

oldimpala · 11/01/2012, 12:33 PM

I use felt...

The way I get around pod issues (with a hungry Mandarin in the display) is, I place what I loving call a makeshift 'fuge after the sock. (It's a pile of rocks with some Macro. Kinda a ghetto for my 'pods.)

If you can picture it, I have a two-level sump, and in a small corner are a few rocks that spent time in the display, and some Macro. Those "seeded" the pod population, now they reproduce there, flow into the lower sump basin, and get pumped back to the display a floor up.

Plenty of pods. Good Macro growth. No debris from the upstairs tanks in the sumps.

Dadekster · 11/01/2012, 12:40 PM

I have two drains, one I run into my fuge unsocked and the other goes into my skimmer sump which is felt socked. My sump stays much cleaner longer and I don't have to worry about the skimmer pump or any other pumps in the sump getting clogged or jammed with crap that makes it into the sump (I find snails, clumps of macro, etc caught in the sock all the time). Changing the sock takes literally 30 seconds, take it off the hooks and slide clean one in. Cleaning the sock takes 5-10 minutes with a garden hose. I then let it air dry and swap out 3 days later. My last tank (same one just new one is in-wall now) I didn't use socks and I can see running with them seems to make the corals happier since I think my tank stays a bit cleaner. Basically just less detrius buildup.

Patrick Cox · 11/01/2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadekster

I have two drains, one I run into my fuge unsocked and the other goes into my skimmer sump which is felt socked. My sump stays much cleaner longer and I don't have to worry about the skimmer pump or any other pumps in the sump getting clogged or jammed with crap that makes it into the sump (I find snails, clumps of macro, etc caught in the sock all the time). Changing the sock takes literally 30 seconds, take it off the hooks and slide clean one in. Cleaning the sock takes 5-10 minutes with a garden hose. I then let it air dry and swap out 3 days later. My last tank (same one just new one is in-wall now) I didn't use socks and I can see running with them seems to make the corals happier since I think my tank stays a bit cleaner. Basically just less detrius buildup.

Exact same design as my new sump I am building. Glad to hear it is effective!

cherubfish pair · 11/01/2012, 08:54 PM

IMO, bacteria break down crud in the sock as dissovled compounds easier than particulate matter in some forgotten corner of a system.

I also leave everything running when I feed to "catch" what's not eaten.

grcforce327 · 11/02/2012, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherubfish pair

IMO, bacteria break down crud in the sock as dissovled compounds easier than particulate matter in some forgotten corner of a system.

I also leave everything running when I feed to "catch" what's not eaten.

Mekanic · 11/02/2012, 06:42 AM

Always use a felt sock, changed every 3-4 days. I have about 10 of them, when they get changed they get tossed into a bag, when I put my last clean one in, the bag gets dumped into the washing machine with a cup of bleach and 3 rinse cycles.

grcforce327 · 11/02/2012, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekanic

Always use a felt sock, changed every 3-4 day

Same here.Mine start to overflow about every 3 days.

Patrick Cox · 11/02/2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grcforce327

Same here.Mine start to overflow about every 3 days.

What size do you use? (4" or 7"?)

Mekanic · 11/02/2012, 12:44 PM

4" x 16"

grcforce327 · 11/02/2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Cox

What size do you use? (4" or 7"?)

Like mekanic said,they are 4x16,but the actual measurement of the material itself is approx. 3 1/2x14(just measured mine)

SCRID · 09/17/2013, 10:47 AM

I use filter socks too. They do trap pods but i try to shake and pick out as many as i can after removing one.
I bought my tank and sump used.
the sump had a 4" dia. pvc pipe siliconed to the bottom of the sump with some 1/2" holes drilled around the base of the pipe.
I assumed it was a diy sock holder.
It worked ok but i removed it and drilled all but the top 2" with holes.
Then added a 4" to 6" adapter to the top.
drilled a 1" hole in that adapter side wall and added a 45 degree elbow to control overflow water if the sock gets too plugged up.
the adapter also holds the sock ring up nicely.

r1racer · 09/17/2013, 10:58 AM

Simple to use. I keep one set ready for use while the other go in the washing machine. I replace them every 3 months or so. I also run my reactor outlets through them to catch any gfo or carbon that would otherwise escape.

Donkeykong · 09/17/2013, 11:04 AM

I only run filter socks during water changes or if I am stirring up sand and rocks for some reason. The rest of the time all the crap just settles in an area in the sump that is easy to vacuum out when I do my regular water changes. I use to run socks all the time but got tired of having to clean them out every few days. I have seen no negative effect going to my current system.

desjardinii · 09/19/2013, 02:59 PM

I gave up with socks, just too much maintenance involved and now have gone back to letting the skimmer do most of the work. My sump's pretty basic, just skimmer, biopellet reactor and return, no fuge or macro but living in the detritus that settles there are hundreds of pods and mysids so I don't actually like cleaning it out.

View Poll Results: My filter sock usage is best summarized by the following statements (multi pick)
I have a reef tank and I currently use “felt” filter sock(s) on my sump inlet	175	55.21%
I have a reef tank and I currently use “mesh” filter sock(s) on my sump inlet	29	9.15%
I have a reef tank and I do not use any socks on my sump inlet	93	29.34%
I have a FOWLR tank and I use “felt” filter socks on my sump inlet	12	3.79%
I have a FOWLR tank and I use “mesh” filter socks on my sump inlet	2	0.63%
I have a FOWLR tank and I do not use any socks on the sump inlet	9	2.84%
I use a filter sock on my protein skimmer outlet to control microbubbles	14	4.42%
I do not use a filter sock on my protein skimmer outlet to control microbubbles	58	18.30%
Other (describe below)	11	3.47%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 317. You may not vote on this poll

10/23/2012, 04:28 PM	#26
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Never used socks. I just clean the sump detritus out maybe monthly with a shop vac at WC's. I do have filter pads that get rinsed weekly in the systems. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

11/01/2012, 08:54 PM	#31
cherubfish pair Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Libby, Montana Posts: 7,061 Blog Entries: 1	IMO, bacteria break down crud in the sock as dissovled compounds easier than particulate matter in some forgotten corner of a system. I also leave everything running when I feed to "catch" what's not eaten. __________________ pairo chero Thanks for looking at my build thread and subscribe to it if you already haven't yet! Current Tank Info: thirty rimless

11/02/2012, 06:42 AM	#33
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Always use a felt sock, changed every 3-4 days. I have about 10 of them, when they get changed they get tossed into a bag, when I put my last clean one in, the bag gets dumped into the washing machine with a cup of bleach and 3 rinse cycles. __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

11/02/2012, 12:44 PM	#36
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	4" x 16" __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

10/31/2012, 08:38 PM	#27
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	Good poll.

11/01/2012, 12:33 PM	#28
oldimpala Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 571	I use felt... The way I get around pod issues (with a hungry Mandarin in the display) is, I place what I loving call a makeshift 'fuge after the sock. (It's a pile of rocks with some Macro. Kinda a ghetto for my 'pods.) If you can picture it, I have a two-level sump, and in a small corner are a few rocks that spent time in the display, and some Macro. Those "seeded" the pod population, now they reproduce there, flow into the lower sump basin, and get pumped back to the display a floor up. Plenty of pods. Good Macro growth. No debris from the upstairs tanks in the sumps.

11/01/2012, 12:40 PM	#29
Dadekster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 356	I have two drains, one I run into my fuge unsocked and the other goes into my skimmer sump which is felt socked. My sump stays much cleaner longer and I don't have to worry about the skimmer pump or any other pumps in the sump getting clogged or jammed with crap that makes it into the sump (I find snails, clumps of macro, etc caught in the sock all the time). Changing the sock takes literally 30 seconds, take it off the hooks and slide clean one in. Cleaning the sock takes 5-10 minutes with a garden hose. I then let it air dry and swap out 3 days later. My last tank (same one just new one is in-wall now) I didn't use socks and I can see running with them seems to make the corals happier since I think my tank stays a bit cleaner. Basically just less detrius buildup.

09/17/2013, 10:47 AM	#38
SCRID Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 67	I use filter socks too. They do trap pods but i try to shake and pick out as many as i can after removing one. I bought my tank and sump used. the sump had a 4" dia. pvc pipe siliconed to the bottom of the sump with some 1/2" holes drilled around the base of the pipe. I assumed it was a diy sock holder. It worked ok but i removed it and drilled all but the top 2" with holes. Then added a 4" to 6" adapter to the top. drilled a 1" hole in that adapter side wall and added a 45 degree elbow to control overflow water if the sock gets too plugged up. the adapter also holds the sock ring up nicely. Last edited by SCRID; 09/17/2013 at 10:52 AM.

09/17/2013, 10:58 AM	#39
r1racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD Posts: 418	Simple to use. I keep one set ready for use while the other go in the washing machine. I replace them every 3 months or so. I also run my reactor outlets through them to catch any gfo or carbon that would otherwise escape. __________________ 125g In Wall, Vertex Omega 150, Maxspect Gyre 150, Tunze ATO, 2-27" 16k Maxspect Razors, Red Sea Coral Pro, 33g QT, Mixing Station, Glass Holes 1500, BRS reactors & RO/DI 1.025/430ca/1300mag/9alk/80t

09/17/2013, 11:04 AM	#40
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I only run filter socks during water changes or if I am stirring up sand and rocks for some reason. The rest of the time all the crap just settles in an area in the sump that is easy to vacuum out when I do my regular water changes. I use to run socks all the time but got tired of having to clean them out every few days. I have seen no negative effect going to my current system.

09/19/2013, 02:59 PM	#41
desjardinii Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 209	I gave up with socks, just too much maintenance involved and now have gone back to letting the skimmer do most of the work. My sump's pretty basic, just skimmer, biopellet reactor and return, no fuge or macro but living in the detritus that settles there are hundreds of pods and mysids so I don't actually like cleaning it out.

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