To filter sock or not to filter sock?

[Bblinks]

This topic must have been brought up a thousand times before, but here we go again.

What kind of tank?
Do you run a filter sock?

[fishytime]

Full blown mixed reef..... No filter socks.....the little bit of particulate that is in the tank doesn't bother me at all

[Bblinks]

I have just removed mine(so sick of cleaning them). I am a bit concerned since I have a sps dominate tank, but I guess only time will tell.

Thanks for the reply.:smile:

Full blown mixed reef..... No filter socks.....the little bit of particulate that is in the tank doesn't bother me at all

[lastlight]

I finally ditched my 4" felt socks. Clogged so fast and really tough to flip sinide out to clean. I clean mine by hand. I have a massive mesh one from BRS which barely fits in my stand now lol. It will take forever to clog and appears to be much easier to clean (I haven't yet). I read the mesh ones don't filter *quite* as well and that's ok too.

[mark]

doesn't the frequent cleaning seem to imply that there's lots crud (organic solids) floating around that we would be better off without?

[FishyFishy!]

Hate them!! Got rid of them after two weeks.

[yellowworld]

Hate them!! Got rid of them after two weeks.

Actually, they work great (for two weeks^^) if you have cloudy water or an algae bloom but you gotta keep up with them or they will just cause problems (figured that out myself) I have two in my tank and change them both out and wash them every week

[fishytime]

doesn't the frequent cleaning seem to imply that there's lots crud (organic solids) floating around that we would be better off without?


SPS food:wink:

[Bblinks]

I am gonna leave it out for a bit and see if there is any changes. hopefully the sps is gonna like all the extra yum yums. I have a oversize skimmer keeping the doc in check anyways. I will take some pictures tonite on some corals and compare them in a month, and I will try to keep all other variable to a minimum.

[whatcaneyedo]

Kind of tank: One that would otherwise have a micro bubble problem.
Do you run a filter sock: Unfortunately yes.

[MKLKT]

I just buy a roll of filter floss every few months and chop it up. Change it 1-2 times a week and toss the old one out while rescuing whatever brittle stars or limpets that found themselves down the chute.

[Cal_stir]

yes 2 socks, 100 micron, changed every 3 days, i tried without but too much floating debris, micro bubbles, and junk in the sump.

90 gal mixed reef, heavily stocked and well fed

[Lampshade]

I hate my filter socks. But at the same time, i love them. I ran without them for a long time, i can't believe how much cleaner my tank looks in general with them on now. It's worth the maitnence every other day to keep them clean. I hang 2 off my return pipe in my sump and once i have 3 dirty socks i do a laundry load. Beats cleaning hair algae out of a reef :(.