How about using a knee high nylon stocking? They are very inexpensive so you can throw them out when they are dirty. I use them in my canister filter, fill them with carbon.

Sorry about the second post. I just rinse the new nylon in the old water from the tank. I'm assuming they would be just as safe in a marine tank.

So who sells the mesh socks? :lol:

J&L sells both types. But when you are there, you should really ask them which ones do they think are better and why.

I have 12 socks in rotation for my heavily stocked SPS LPS system with a large fish load. I believe it all depend on the system you are planning to run, a lot of variable comes into play. The key for me is to be able to feed the system heavy for all the LPS and at the same time keep the water in pristine condition for the SPS so its a no brainer to run filter socks.

Now the question is what kind of tank are you planning to do? If you are running a sps tank without much fish load then I would say no sock, if you are planning to do a mixed reef with a good fish load then I would suggest yes sock. But do remember to change out your sock every few days to keep it clean, no point of running socks when you are just going to leave them in and turn them into a nitrate factory.

BRS

I voted for sponge but actually use polly wool (pillow stuffing stuff). I put a handfull in my over flow and change out weekly. Cleans up water great and just throw away when dirty. Get it in big bags at local sewing store cheap. Just make sure it is not hypoalergetic and or mildew resistant as i imagine it has some sort of chemicals in it. LFS does sell it as well but it is more pricey

I'm lazy, I use filter floss after the skimmer. I change it when it stops passing enough water, usually about once every 10 days. After that i throw it out, costs maybe $5 every 2 months for the floss. Way easier than cleaning socks only to have them to clog up in 2 days again. It's been working great, my tank has never been better.

Filter floss....thats what i was meaning to say, couldnt remember the name so i called it polly wool....brain fart

No Sock. Only used it the first week I set up the tank (June, 2010). One thing I do is shutting off the Return Pump every time I feed. I give them several minutes to finish majority of the food before turning it back on.