Sump & filter socks - 4 or 7 "

[hfp75]

I am about to design a new sump for about a 125g tank. I found a Hagen 75g (48x18x21) tank for $50 bucks and am in the process of drafting the insides.

My debate is filter socks... I am gonna try to add in socks for filtering. I dont want to commit so much space for a pair of 7" socks but at the same time with 21" am I better to go with 3x-4x 4" socks across or 2x 7" socks ? the 7" socks will take more space (3" more) across the sump than would a row of 4" socks.

anyone?

I am currently using filter floss as a filter in my 20g sump... it works but is a hassle to get in and out. The socks just dropping in the holes will streamline replacement..... socks seem like a good idea....

[MitchM]

It depends on how often and how easy it will be for you to swap the socks for clean ones. How dirty is your system going to be?
I'm running a 7" sock on my 600g and a 4" sock on my 150g. I need to change them both every few days. I would prefer to have 7" socks on both.
Fewer changes. That's the hassle part.
One tip I can suggest for changing the socks is to allow an area where you can hang the dirty sock to let it drain for a day or two. It's a lot less messy to move a dry sock to the washing machine than a wet one.
I use a bungie cord and hang it over the sump until it's dry.

[hfp75]

1x 4" sock on a 150g?

How full does it get? for a 125g I am thinking like 3-4 4" socks.....

It would be nice to change it/them once a week.

is your 150 heavily stocked? and would you prefer it had 2x 4" socks?

[MitchM]

In the 150 I have an 8" tang, a 4" trigger, 100 heads of euphyllia, branching type. No sand. I've had it set up for a couple weeks now, and have only had to change out the 4" sock once.
I'm only turning over the tank volume 1/hour. That will make a big difference.
I used an old acrylic sump I had laying around, so that's all I had room for.

[MitchM]

The 150 is a fairly new setup, so I plan on feeding heavier as the system matures. I've been feeding lightly to start.

[hfp75]

anyone else running filter socks on a 125 +/- gallon?

If so what size and how many ? heavily stocked ? lots of water turning over ?

[reefbrian]

Of course there is something no one has mentioned yet. Those damn 4" socks are a pain to turn inside out to clean or maybe I have fat hands lol. I find the 7" sock on my 60 gallon so much easier to clean!

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[reeferfulton]

Originally Posted by reefbrian

Of course there is something no one has mentioned yet. Those damn 4" socks are a pain to turn inside out to clean or maybe I have fat hands lol. I find the 7" sock on my 60 gallon so much easier to clean!

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WORD !

i cut the plastic inner brace thingy off mmake it much easier . but still a pain.
and the long version of the 4" model is really hard to turn inside out

[reefbrian]

The 7" mesh socks from BRS are awesome!

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[MitchM]

I don't turn my filter socks inside out anymore. I found it made no difference.
Once they're dried, they go in as is.