Filter Socks: Your opinion on them?

[Reefer08]

Whats everyones opinion on filter socks?


Personally I do not use them on my tank. Im too lazy to swap them out and clean them. My sump does not have any detritus build up since ive got a lot of flow going through it (powerhead in sump) so it wont settle to the floor. I heard some reports that they trap beneficial bacteria, if anyone can confirm this id appreciate it.

 

[reef_doug]

I use them and change them daily primarily because my sump was designed to use 2 x 4" socks. It's amazing how much detritus they collect. I use 100 micron, if you change them every 3-4 days then I would get 200 micron.

I don't believe the bacteria claim. Even people who use ZEOvit like myself wouldn't use them if it was detrimental in that regard. The only concern is to change them frequently due to nitrates. Most bacteria will be in the substrate and on the LR.

 

[Reefer08]

I use them and change them daily primarily because my sump was designed to use 2 x 4" socks. It's amazing how much detritus they collect. I use 100 micron, if you change them every 3-4 days then I would get 200 micron.

I don't believe the bacteria claim. Even people who use ZEOvit like myself wouldn't use them if it was detrimental in that regard. The only concern is to change them frequently due to nitrates. Most bacteria will be in the substrate and on the LR.

wow you change yours daily? Now that is what I call dedication!

But theoretically wouldn't a protein skimmer remove everything that a filter sock would?

 

[atcdrifter]

thats a lot of money changing them everyday

 

[SuperDragon]

Skimmers remove lots of stuff...
organic phosphate (not inorganic phosphate)
DOM (dissolved organic matter)
DOC (dissolved organic carbon)
POM (particulate organic matter)

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/rhf/index.php

Running a filter sock helps relieve larger particles of food/DOM and keeps the aquarium cleaner. Otherwise, your skimmer will collects lots of detrius and gunk in the sump long term. Maintaining socks is important for them to work.
Bottom line... it can only help and not hurt your reef.

 

[elvis142]

hello, not too much. i have 10 socks. i change my sock every 3 or 4 or 6 days and start washing when i have 7 or 8 dirty socks.

john

thats a lot of money changing them everyday

 

[Reefer08]

hello, not too much. i have 10 socks. i change my sock every 3 or 4 or 6 days and start washing when i have 7 or 8 dirty socks.

john

Thats the best way to do it. When I used to use filter socks id change it out every 3 days and at the end of the month wash them all in the washing machine with bleach.


so where is everyone buying their filter socks from? Anyone ever try filterbag.com?

 

[maus42]

I love filter socks, catches alot of the larger particles that your skimmer might have trouble with. I change mine about twice a week and have 6 or so... I just wait till I'm on the last clean one and wash the rest. Wash by doing a hot water cycle w/ a little bleach, then a second hot water cycle with just water, then air dry.

I get my socks from www.customaquatics.com since I have a wholesale acct. with them... and they're local to me so I can pick them up and not wait or have to pay for shipping.

 

[jessesoto33]

Just use the largest one you can find, less cleaning, about once every two weeks!

 

[ZoaFan08]

Ramzy I can bring you a sock to try out, you'll be amazed how much they pull out. I basically change mine once a week when I do a water change and when I am on my last sock I put them in the washer on quick wash.

Once you run a sock and see how much crap it pulls out you'll keep using them.

 

[barometer]

Love 'em. Change mine 2x weekly and can't believe how much gunk is in there. And the skimmer is pulling what it always does. I'd rather that stuff come out in my sock than just cycle around in my tank

 

[SDguy]

I use one. Wish I changed it more often, but otherwise I like it.

 

[atcdrifter]

wheres tha cheapeist place to get them and can you wash them all in tha washerand whats tha safest way to wash them in tha washer?

 

[Reefer08]

Ramzy I can bring you a sock to try out, you'll be amazed how much they pull out. I basically change mine once a week when I do a water change and when I am on my last sock I put them in the washer on quick wash.

Once you run a sock and see how much crap it pulls out you'll keep using them.

Thanks for the offer bro but I already have a ton of filter socks.

After reading everyones responses regarding filter socks Ill start using them again. Seems like im the only one who doesn't use a filter sock!

Anyone wanna go half on an order from filterbag.com? Minimum order is 25. I only need like 13 so we can order 26, so 13 socks for each person.

 

[b_shady]

Filter socks are great if you clean or change them once a week. If you dont after a while you will probably start battling cyano, algae possable ammonia spikes. i use small pourous live rock as my filter in my fuge.

 

[reefrf]

I use one 24/7. I change it out approx once per week. I have two returns into my sump. 75% of the water returning goes through the sock & the rest by basses it. I think the original thought was in the event of a back up into the sock there was some that could bypass it. Not sure if that makes sense.