To filter sock... Or not to filter sock...?

[Smitty1782]

Recently saw a post on another forum with this discussion... It seemed pretty evenly split. So I ask here... Do you guys/girls run filter socks or not?

Im getting pretty tired of replacing and/or cleaning them so is there a real benefit to running a sock or are they pretty much just to keep your sump clean? Im beginning to feel that shop vacuuming the sump when ever i do a water change would be less annoying than dealing with filter socks...

Any input or advise?

 

[Adrock]

try the mesh sock looks like a filter media bag you put carbon in u may like it we sell them

 

[peter]

I use them whenever im not feeling lazy, its a pain to change out and clean..but i do feel it does help out with eater quality.

 

[Coelli]

I stopped using them because I want more pods (for a mandarin) More stuff collects in the sump, but it's not really that much or that bad. Been sockless maybe a month? And yeah, I got tired of changing/cleaning them because my drain is a PITA to get to.

 

[newe70]

I am in the same boat...still debating if I should go with filter sockless. I am getting lazy to clean every three days.

 

[Smitty1782]

I stopped using them because I want more pods (for a mandarin) More stuff collects in the sump, but it's not really that much or that bad. Been sockless maybe a month? And yeah, I got tired of changing/cleaning them because my drain is a PITA to get to.

Have you noticed any change in water quality since you stopped? I'm kind of leaning towards no sock at this point.

 

[Dgelz]

I don't like filter socks, but occasionally I use this:

I stuff it in this:

. Then I put a pair of my wife's pantyhose over it like this.

cut a small hole in the pantyhose and then stuff your return hose through it down to the bottom of the cup. The water will push the filter floss up to the top and act as a perfect filter.

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[russ13]

I say yes. Keeps the water polished and sump clean.

 

[Coelli]

Have you noticed any change in water quality since you stopped? I'm kind of leaning towards no sock at this point.

Water quality or clarity? Quality no, clarity yes in that the little tiny particles are more evident, but I figure they're feeding the tank. (I have some filter feeders, plus the coral.)

 

[beta110]

My manderin goby needs his pods.. No sock here..


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[e92Monster]

it seems like the water does get polished running through the sock, but like other people said water quality won't change with or without it.

 

[gonumber24]

I used to run socks on my 240 and 125 reefs. I haven't run them for a long time. I see no difference in water quality at all. For the pods, obviously sockless is best. When I ran socks, I still accumulated debris in the sump. I say sockless is best.

 

[Speaker73]

I've run my 50 with and without socks. I will say that my water is much clearer with the socks and I think my corals do better over all. I don't use them now because I'm lazy and have to do a load of laundry to wash the ones I have.

 

[russ13]

Socks do help with water quality. When you change them your removing waste from your tank.

 

[Scout]

I add my sock when there are too many particles floating around. Other then that I let my pods flourish.

 

[Jvilla58]

I run socks. Makes my system quieter and gets rid of microbubbles.

 

[gonumber24]

Both of my sumps are large and my skimmers are far away from the return pumps so microbubbles are non-existent. Maybe that's why I don't get particles returning from the sump to the d.t. either. When I used to run socks there were always lots of amphipods in the sock.

 

[F-Dawg]

My vote is for using a sock.

Reasons:
traps leftover food.
Minimizes micro bubbles.
Easy to clean.
Sump remains cleaner.
Good place to put carbon bags or carbon discharge.


KEY is changing the sock frequently and not letting it clog. Also have a clean sock ready to go at all times.