Other options instead of filter socks?
 

This is my first time using filter socks on my 187, and i'm already getting sick of changing them every 2 days, washing, hanging dry etc etc etc etc... What other setups could I use instead of the filter sock?

Laugh if you like but another reefer got me onto panty hose buy them at the dollar store no washing I just toss them away lol I also use it when syphoning out cyano ;)

You can purchase filter floss which is just polyester fiber sheets which you can get cheap from Walmart in the craft department (used for pillow/quilt stuffing). You just need a piece of eggcrate to hold the fiber perpendicular to the water flow direction in your sump. Typically you install the eggcrate horizontally in a baffled section. The floss is cheap enough to be simply tossed when it becomes spoiled and it's much less maintenance than filter socks. It's not quite as thorough as the sock but it's usually all people need.

Yeah thats what I thought. I'll be switching over to a custom made media rack with the good old floss then. I can't stand the upkeep of the filter socks.

you could just get a filter sock with a larger pore size, personally I hate the filter floss

The problem I find with floss is that trying to remove it without dumping it's contents back into the tank is tough. I suppose if the rack was removeable and you didn't have to move the floss much to remove it would be better. I've actually stopped using anything, since I think that impacts plankton growth.

I was thinking of something with a couple removable drawers so that changing them would be super easy. I think thats the way I'll go. Either that or get a larger pore sock, but I'm sure that dosen't cut the maintenance down that much.

IT'S not a cheap solution but you could always buy 8 socks and wash them once a week with the 8th being used on wash day:)

I have personally gone from using socks, to not... And I have to say that with the socks, water quality is just much better. They are a pain, but they do a job, and a good job they do!

Also sent you a PM, let me know.

Exactly. I used 4 at a time, so I had 12+ in circulation. Then just throw 8 in the washing machine at the same time. No drying required.

I gave up on filter socks after about 6 months. BIGGEST PITA cleaning those things.

any fabric media(sponge, floss, sock) unless religiously cleaned or replaced will end up leaching nitrates back into the system, never mind the cost to replace or clean.....so I say, why bother?

+1
nothing for me

I dont understand what is so difficult about them. I throw mine in the washing machine, spin dry and throw it back in the tank. Easy as pie.

I tried them too, but then I just go with nothing. Once every few months to half year, siphon out the detritus that has settled in the sump.

wondering.... plankton growth?

+1 on nothing, i have a filter sock hanging off the return line plumbing ready to be put in for when i aquascape and kick up the sand. Other than that i run nothing and siphon out detrious from the sump every other water change. Water quality is good, i have 2 rena XP3's sitting in the closet, i was planning on using them but after running nothing for awhile now i can't see much difference in water quality. Nitrates are below measurements without it, i agree to people saying they're nitrate factories now.

Go
 

I used socks for a while, but then got sick of cleaning them, I probably will go back to using them though

What size socks is everyone using the small 4 inch ones or the larger 7 inch ones?

I know it's been discussed before but what is the best way of cleaning them? Washing machine but just a rinse cycle? I've tried by hand but that sucks big time!

I use a cup of bleach and the heavy duty hot cycle and extra rinse. Then a trip through the dryer and good to go.

well i used BRS "Felt" Filter Sock 4" x 14" 200 Micron and then i see that it fill up too quick so i switch to BRS "Mesh" Filter Sock 7" x 16" 200 Micron for a bigger size and easier to clean. The problem with this mesh filter sock is i don't even have to replace or clean it for a month because seems like all the small particles pass them with no problem. So now i switch back to BRS "Felt" Filter Sock but with a bigger size. It last me a week per sock and i have 6 of them so i can do switch them out every water change. When i am on my last one i just throw all my dirty one in the washer and do a normal wash (no bleach, no soap), and they just come out clean.

My main issue without having a filter sock, is micro bubbles from the drain. Is there an easier way of plumbing or something to get rid of the micro bubbles? My bubble trap dosn't even catch half of them.

Put some liverock rubble in between your drain and bubble trap. I even put some live rock rubble between baffle. No micro bubble for me ever.

Maybe i'll try that today, I have a tonne of rubble in my sump. I'll move it around a bit.

Herbie style mang....a little late now probably for you(tho not impossible) but no micro-booblez:mrgreen:

Yeah, when I bought the tank it had a pre-drilled 2" hole in the overflow. I suppose I could just do a herbie. I do also already have a 1" emergency on the left that has saved my but once already. Maybe I'll try a herbie for giggles and see what happens.

how about a rubble tower......basically an acrylic box full of rubble that the water drains threw into the sump.

http://www.reefersparadise.com/smf/i...sg3115#msg3115

+11111111111111111111111111 lol honestly best thing i have ever seen super quiet super safe and no bubbles what so ever:):) i dont know why i never done this on any of my previous set ups lol

That's what I use. Basement sump so water changes are done in the sump and I use a "tank only" shop vac to suck all the crap out. Simple and quick.

Yeah the rubble tower seems like an awesome idea. I'm going to try that, and also do the herbie style drain pipe when I have some time. I'll let yall know how she goes.