Go sock less they say....

[Animal-Chin]

So I read this thread on another board about removing filter socks. A lot of people say the tank looks better, corals colour up, ect so I thought I'd try it. What could be the harm?

So I'm 4 days in, no biggie, everything is fine, no rise in nitrate or phosphate, just trucking along.......until last night!

I'm on the couch in the other room and I hear this horrible noise, that can't be from the tank can it? Oh it sure is! I jump up and by the time I'm at the tank the main return pump is dead, sumps filling, what the....

Turns out, after dismantling my return which by the way is external, not a sump pump, that a hermit crab climbed into my overflows, down the return pipe, through 3 chambers of the sump including a refugium, into the 4 th chamber, up the elbow into the return pump andd tore off every single blade on the impeller! Totally ruined it!

Lucky I purchases a new pump a year ago just in case but of course it didn't fit into the existing plumbing so today was at Rona at 6:30 am buying parts to re plumb!

All because of one wandering crab who by the way is still alive! Lol

End rant, filter sock back on...lol

[Delphinus]

That sucks!

You might want to consider a strainer on the pump intake..

[Animal-Chin]

Ya or on my inlets in the overflow. Anybody recommend something?

[Dearth]

I used a wide spaced mesh I found at Michael's Arts and crafts the spacing was wide enough to not impede flow but small enough to stop snails and crabs from getting through.

[Ryan]

How is the tank filtered without the socks? I find in my tank if I forget about my socks the one section of my sump gets detritus and I have crap floating around in the display.

[whatcaneyedo]

Ya or on my inlets in the overflow. Anybody recommend something?

Simple threaded plumbing strainers are available from 1/2" to 2". I've always had one on my return pump intake and never had a problem in over a decade. https://www.jlaquatics.com/dry-goods/aquarium-supplies/plumbing-supplies/bulkhead-fittings-parts.html?p=3 I personally wouldn't put one on overflow plumbing. As it became a bit clogged you'd run the risk of your aquarium overflowing onto the floor.

[CHEAPREEF]

How is the tank filtered without the socks? I find in my tank if I forget about my socks the one section of my sump gets detritus and I have crap floating around in the display.

I run no filter socks, but use the black pourous sponge in my bubble trap. I rinse that piece of sponge every week.
Also run a strainer on the front of my return pump, tank looks far better without the socks in place IMO.

[tang daddy]

I used a wide spaced mesh I found at Michael's Arts and crafts the spacing was wide enough to not impede flow but small enough to stop snails and crabs from getting through.

Plus one for this idea, I notice snails and conches like to enter the skimmer pump volute too so I put them on both.

[Scythanith]

I used mesh over an old MP40 guard on top of the intake.