FilterSock Question

MrsHaggis · 01/16/2010, 12:24 PM

I have been trying to find a filter sock big enough for our sump (want to replace the blue foamy crap we have) but here in Europe it's proving quite impossible.

So I'm wondering, is there any reason at all why we can't just put the filter sock filler in the sump without a sock? To me there seems to be a big advantage to that idea, no sock cleaning required; no nitrates getting clogged in the sock.

The stuff we have is quite tightly "woven" and wouldn't come apart.

Cheers
Fiona

drillsar · 01/16/2010, 12:37 PM

you can use a regular sock as long as you didnt clean it with bleach. A filter sock is used so you can catch small particles in tank. You really dont need it personally but others may chime in.

MrsHaggis · 01/16/2010, 04:54 PM

Thanks Drillsar but a regular sock (assuming you mean for the foot) wouldn't be any bigger than the filter socks we can buy!!! Maybe I've misunderstood your point though......?

Anyone else got any ideas?

nikon187 · 01/16/2010, 08:51 PM

what is filter sock filler? most dont have anything in them other than the crap they catch

can't you order a 7" sock online?

MrsHaggis · 01/17/2010, 11:10 AM

Well over here in Europe, we buy a white "sock like" sack and fill it full of white material. Catch the small particles in the white foamy material and then through it out, wash the sock and fill it full of more white foamy stuff.

But the socks that I have seen for sale in our LFS are tiny. I'll have to try on-line.

Thanks

profntbtr · 01/17/2010, 12:40 PM

actually it is completely acceptable to use a sock that has been bleached, as long as you rinse it very well and let it dry before replacing it. i am opposed to socks in general, as they don't actually remove anything from the water, just hold it one place for water to flow past, kind of like a tea bag of nastiness.

flipsideleo · 01/17/2010, 01:02 PM

I've never used a filter sock either.

paal · 01/17/2010, 02:03 PM

I dont have any LFS with filter socks either, so I just ordered some through Ebay:

http://pet-supplies.shop.ebay.com/Pe...=p3286.c0.m282

nikon187 · 01/17/2010, 04:36 PM

blue life makes a good 7" sock. Sounds to me the sock " filler" is not needed and extra money that could be spent elsewhere. The sock should catch the particles just fine on it's own.

MrsHaggis · 01/17/2010, 04:45 PM

OK, I've discovered from a lot of reading that filter socks in Europe are different to filter socks in the States.

So our filter socks are a very light cotton affair that we fill with a white foam that absorbs all the extra particles!!

Well, for now I've put the foam in the sump without a sock - should be OK!!!

lordofthereef · 01/17/2010, 05:40 PM

I have never heard of this foamy material that you throw out after use myself. Have a look on eBay. You can get cheap filter socks there. Just buy 10-20, accumulate them, and then do a nice big wash once you have a bunch that are dirty.

01/16/2010, 12:24 PM	#1
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	FilterSock Question I have been trying to find a filter sock big enough for our sump (want to replace the blue foamy crap we have) but here in Europe it's proving quite impossible. So I'm wondering, is there any reason at all why we can't just put the filter sock filler in the sump without a sock? To me there seems to be a big advantage to that idea, no sock cleaning required; no nitrates getting clogged in the sock. The stuff we have is quite tightly "woven" and wouldn't come apart. Cheers Fiona __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

01/16/2010, 04:54 PM	#3
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	Thanks Drillsar but a regular sock (assuming you mean for the foot) wouldn't be any bigger than the filter socks we can buy!!! Maybe I've misunderstood your point though......? Anyone else got any ideas? __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

01/16/2010, 08:51 PM	#4
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	what is filter sock filler? most dont have anything in them other than the crap they catch can't you order a 7" sock online? __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/17/2010, 11:10 AM	#5
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	Well over here in Europe, we buy a white "sock like" sack and fill it full of white material. Catch the small particles in the white foamy material and then through it out, wash the sock and fill it full of more white foamy stuff. But the socks that I have seen for sale in our LFS are tiny. I'll have to try on-line. Thanks __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

01/17/2010, 01:02 PM	#7
flipsideleo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houstonish Posts: 353	I've never used a filter sock either. __________________ /Leo Current Tank Info: 120g Grow Out / 60g Grow Out

01/16/2010, 12:37 PM	#2
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	you can use a regular sock as long as you didnt clean it with bleach. A filter sock is used so you can catch small particles in tank. You really dont need it personally but others may chime in.

01/17/2010, 12:40 PM	#6
profntbtr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: san antonio Posts: 55	actually it is completely acceptable to use a sock that has been bleached, as long as you rinse it very well and let it dry before replacing it. i am opposed to socks in general, as they don't actually remove anything from the water, just hold it one place for water to flow past, kind of like a tea bag of nastiness.

01/17/2010, 02:03 PM	#8
paal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 368	I dont have any LFS with filter socks either, so I just ordered some through Ebay: http://pet-supplies.shop.ebay.com/Pe...=p3286.c0.m282

01/17/2010, 04:36 PM	#9
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	blue life makes a good 7" sock. Sounds to me the sock " filler" is not needed and extra money that could be spent elsewhere. The sock should catch the particles just fine on it's own. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/17/2010, 04:45 PM	#10
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	OK, I've discovered from a lot of reading that filter socks in Europe are different to filter socks in the States. So our filter socks are a very light cotton affair that we fill with a white foam that absorbs all the extra particles!! Well, for now I've put the foam in the sump without a sock - should be OK!!! __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

01/17/2010, 05:40 PM	#11
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I have never heard of this foamy material that you throw out after use myself. Have a look on eBay. You can get cheap filter socks there. Just buy 10-20, accumulate them, and then do a nice big wash once you have a bunch that are dirty. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!