Filter Socks...

Delphinus · #1 04-03-2009, 09:33 PM

Got a link for the "don't bother" thread at RC? Would be interested to read it.

Maybe I shouldn't admit this but I only change mine out about 2 weeks or so .. it's pretty gross by the time I get around to it, and even still I think it's too danged often considering the PITA I find it to be. Of couse I make it worse by trying to pick off every copepod brittlestar worm stomatella etc. and tossing them back into the tank. And just given how tight the sump area is (tank is a 30" cube so don't have much space at all to work with), it's impossible to remove the filter sock without getting water spilled which of course makes the stand want to rust out even more.

BUT, I'm sort of stuck as the sump has a lot of flow and is short, without the sock the microbubbles are out of control. So for now I think I'm stuck with them, but it would be nice to explore reasons not to bother with the next tank.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #2 04-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Got a link for the "don't bother" thread at RC? Would be interested to read it.

Maybe I shouldn't admit this but I only change mine out about 2 weeks or so .. it's pretty gross by the time I get around to it, and even still I think it's too danged often considering the PITA I find it to be. Of couse I make it worse by trying to pick off every copepod brittlestar worm stomatella etc. and tossing them back into the tank. And just given how tight the sump area is (tank is a 30" cube so don't have much space at all to work with), it's impossible to remove the filter sock without getting water spilled which of course makes the stand want to rust out even more.

BUT, I'm sort of stuck as the sump has a lot of flow and is short, without the sock the microbubbles are out of control. So for now I think I'm stuck with them, but it would be nice to explore reasons not to bother with the next tank.

Well the thread was about all kinds of stuff but filter socks came up. I will get the link.

Basically if they aren't changes every few days, they become nitrate producers. The other point I think was that if you feed your corals then its pointless to have filter socks...although then a skimmer is too. But I guess the point was that you are also taking away coral food (fish poop).

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 04-03-2009, 10:03 PM

Here...your not going to find a bunch of reasons not to use them. The thread just reminded me of how much I hate using them or changing them daily and I thought I may as well do away with them.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1609942

mark · #4 04-03-2009, 10:03 PM

Wondering why you have to change them every day?

I try to get to mine weekly, but often wait until the water starts to spill out of them before swapping.

Jason McK · #5 04-03-2009, 10:06 PM

I use them mainly to elliminate bubbles. The bubble king and the returns produce so much that they would enter the display without the socks

J

Myka · #6 04-03-2009, 11:05 PM

This is why I prefer a tray with a small sheet of filter "floss" media, easier to change out everyday, and you don't have to wash it, just toss it. I use the stuff J&L sells by the roll...very cheap.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #7 04-03-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark

Wondering why you have to change them every day?

I try to get to mine weekly, but often wait until the water starts to spill out of them before swapping.

Well not everyday but I just do...figure since it should be done every two days or so, may as well just do it everyday.

Otherwise there is a lot of crap just sitting in a sock in my tank.

I don't need them for micro bubbles or anything, so may as well just stop using them I think.

mark · #8 04-03-2009, 11:43 PM

well it's ideal to get the crap out of the system, don't think you need to change the socks daily or every couple of days.

Also to argue this a bit, you're thinking about getting rid of the socks as you believe must change them every couple of days to get the crap out, but then if you got rid of the socks all together you won't be removing what they would collect.

don.ald · #9 04-04-2009, 12:03 AM

do the socks remove pods etc?

GreenSpottedPuffer · #10 04-04-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark

well it's ideal to get the crap out of the system, don't think you need to change the socks daily or every couple of days.

Also to argue this a bit, you're thinking about getting rid of the socks as you believe must change them every couple of days to get the crap out, but then if you got rid of the socks all together you won't be removing what they would collect.

Well no but then what they collect will be used in the system rather than wasting away in a filter sock.

IMO if you are using them, you do need to change them every few days. I personally saw a huge difference in my last tank when I started to change them daily. Nitrates went down.

Anyways, this wasn't suppose to be a debate about what they do...

I was just wondering if I was missing anything before I remove them but so far no reason to keep using them.