They really need to go thru a full cycle in the washing machine to get clean. Rinsing them just won't get them clean enough. You could run it through the wash quickly each week. My tank splashes too much when the sock is off so I would have to keep the circulation off while the sock was in the wash. They are under $3-10 each, and it is much easier to have a few socks to exchange when they get dirty. When a few are dirty, put them all in the wash together to safe on H2O and electricity.

When it becomes clogged (water flowing out the top rather than through the sock) you simply remove it and wash it. Handy to have an few extra but not a requirement. The bags last for years.

HI I don't use one but heard they work. How much media (carbon) does one put in them and do you tie it onto the pipe going into the sump or do you have it elsewere.

What other media's do other reefer use?

I don't think many reefers are putting anything such as carbon in their filter socks. It would get too dirty and loose its effectiveness quickly. You would be better to put it in a separate mesh bag in the sump where it would not get so dirty.

I perfer 50 micron, but each to their own.