Have used them for a long time and I have yet to see a "significant" downside.

They keep my beckett cleaner, I pull 2000GPH through a 4' sump without micromubbles and my sump has not the slighest amount of detritous in it after 4 years.

I don't use filter socks but I do use mechanical filtration before the skimmer. As far as I know a skimmer will remove dissolved organics, so using filter socks or something similar will not hurt the performance of your skimmer, in fact it should improve it since it will stay cleaner longer.

I've been using a filter sock on one of my overflows for about 9 months now, and I could never go without it now. Love that crystal clear water!

I voted yes but I actually use floss ahead of the skimmer not a sock. There is not a practical place to attach a sock on this AIO ahead of the skimmer.

I have used a sock on the skimmer output to lessen microbubbles. It sort of worked but I think I will try again with a different sock.

I only use one when i know that i am going to create a big dirt storm in the DT by doing some aquascaping or something. I only leave it in for a day or so. Normally i run without one.

I use them and love them, my water stays nice and clean. The only downside is I am kinda lazy and hate having to clean them every 3 to 4 days.

It looks like a fairly even split.

For now I will avoid the filter sock and re-direct my sump flow so the overflow spills directly into the skimmer pump intake and the skimmer output goes outside of the skimmer compartment in the sump. Considering putting a filter sock on the skimmer output though.

I never used a filter sock and hope i never have too. Seems like to much work having to clean it out..

I love my filter sock! The only problem is that I have to clean mine every two to three days. I usually disconnnect it, plan to clean it, leave it for a couple more days, then remember, clean it, and reinstall. Therefore I only run it for two to three days per week.

Anyone know who has any in Calgary for sale? Last I checked the LFS's were all out.

I have a dual overflow, so one overflow drains into two 4"socks and the other one drains right into my skimmer. It is a pain to clean them out every 3 to 4 days but i like how it keeps my water crystal clean and eliminates alot of micro bubbles in my sump. Overall, my sump stays very clean since the skimmer cleans out most of the water drained into it but still pulls out tons of gunk.