Lets see your filter sock mounting rigs
 

I'm torn as to how I want to mount a sock in my sump.
The more pictures the better please.

Had the sump custom built. :)

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1282705539

Thanks Mark for your pic
I saw your build thread the other day. Yours is close to the style I wanted to build, except I'd have an overflow style. Trying to describe it, I'll say I'd want the pipes dropping into a tower that would then have to spill up into the socks. This way the socks are removable without touching the plumbing.
Unfortunately, I didn't plan well enough ahead and now don't have the room for it. I'd have to cut my baffles out, have the glass re cut and, well, I may still do that.

This is exactly why I need acrylic! I'm doing exactly as you described and having the water flow over a raceway (after it goes down into the sealed tower/pocket and is forced up) that holds three or four 7" socks. The first would get dirty/full and the water would hit the second etc. I'm running a very fine sock and I can rinse it out 3+ times a day.

I have my drain really close to my return pump and the fine sock catches air bubbles as well keeping them from the pump.

My shortsightedness steered me towards wanting as much return area water as possible. I ended up with about 22g, not including the 10g Chaeto tank, which is enough to leave the pump running during a WC. Plus, I spaced the bubble trap with enough room for Jagers, so I cramped the skimmer area. Even though that is 9.5 x 17.25 and 16.75 tall, and is enough room for the 7" sock I bought (2 for washing), it's not enough room for a sock dam. Dam :cry:

Ya, I'd love to be able to do that, but then I'd lose my return volume. I only have a 50g to work with. I'm still toying with the idea of ripping the baffles out and starting over.

that's how we have been building our sumps for some time now
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/IMG_0216.jpg

very easy to work with

thanks Dave

So the black pipe is the drain, and the white an emergency? That's pretty much what I would like to do.
Thanks so much for the pic Dave

I'd have to step up from a 50 to a 75 in order to do it nicely and still keep my other plans.
Hmm ...........

While eating McPukes just now, I had an epiphany.
Where's the harm in having the filter socks after the bubble trap? I know it's not ideal for skimming, but is better than no sock at all.
Thanks again Dave, it was your picture floating in my mind that put it together. Seeing the inlet on the left instead of the back made a world of difference.
Now, instead of one 7" sock, I have room for 3 x 4" socks.
This has really made my day :mrgreen:
Can't wait to show everyone when it's done.

Would love to see some pics.

I plan on leaving the pipes above the socks so that I won't have to move anything either...I can't see why that won't work.

I don't like the socks with rings on them because I find they get worn out around the ring. Mine isn't mounted or tied. It just sits in there propped up in the corner. My socks are 8" and they stand up better than the smaller socks. They are also easier to turn inside out.

You know it's funny you say that Mindy. I have 5 socks in rotation right now. All are 4" and all have the ring. They go 3-4 days before I replace them. When I take them out, I soak them in a very light bleach/water mixture for 5-10 days while I put the other socks through their paces and then I wash the bunch out in the machine with vinegar.

I've had the same 5 socks going for 5 years and they still look new...no wear or tear. I thought the bleach would kill them, but I can't seem to.:lol:

Mine, as built by Dave...

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/IMG_0282.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/IMG_0284.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/IMG_0304.jpg

The only thing about your idea would be noise with the possibility of water splashing into your sump. I've heard you can help that by putting 2 90s in place just before the end.
I had thought about using Unions to make sock replacement easier, and that way the main drain is under water for less noise.
So look at Dave's picture again. Now imagine the socks after the trap, instead of before the skimmer. I still have TONS of room in my return pump area next to my Chaeto tank.

Mindy, I guess there are different quality ringed socks out there.

Boy I hope this plan works out

That's another nice layout
Thanks

here is two more options of you :wink:
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMG_0099-1.jpg

this is the new design we have been using, it incorporates a stand pipe to control water level in the skimmer chamber
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/IMG_0204.jpg

Thank you !

keeping it simple (the string)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/sock-1.jpg

Easy to work with? You must clean those 2 particular socks often then Dave. How often? :wink:

Ha, thanks Mark :smile:

i said easy! never did i say i've cleaned them:redface:

for the record zero cleanings:wink:

Ewwww, Nitrates

Some great ideas in here. Ive got some plans for a 55long that I may have to make come to life...

you do realize cale262 that you are running your pellets wrong, the outlet from you reactor should be directed as close as possible to your skimmer as possible.

The pellets never ran as pictured for more than an hour or two. This picture was taken Just after the sump swap and shortly after the tlf reactor and pellets were move to another tank. You may have also noticed that the water level is very high and not at running height...the return pump is off, the skimmer is not skimming, the calcium reactor is not there...etc.

Why did I post this picture again....oh yeah, to show where the overflow lines ran in relation to the socks.

Ok just checking, I think that's way some people have problems running the pellets.

Big Ugly. Freehand cuts with a skill saw and 7" openings down with a few hundred tiny drilled holes :lol:

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/404/bigugly.jpg

Nice job. I'd like to see it again when it's running.
Hopefully I'll get mine done Sunday.
I grabbed the Plex Fri and have been itchin' to get at it.

I've never worked with acrylic before but I used the weld-on 16 and it was simple to work with out of a tube.

Just some old plexi cut with table saw and a jig saw. Effective and easy to change socks.
Attachment 8801

Tim, your's is the first design I was toying with

Yeah it was quick and easy to make and it removes from the sump in seconds. Also I got the plexi for free so that helped my decision lol.

I don't know if you've read this entire thread, but I hope to get mine built today. It'll be a similar concept as Brett's. I got the idea from some pictures and I think Brett already had his plan on the go.

Best of luck with the build. Pls post some pics when it's done, would like to see the finished product.

Thanks, I definately will

Is there much noise from the water flowing over and the down through the socks?

Mine's certainly louder than before when I had a pipe extend all the way into the sock and underwater. I laid a strip of acrylic over the first sock so the water rushes across it and falls over each side as well which made it quieter. Once the first sock is full the setup gets quieter but the old setup was dead silent until it overflowed (then was very loud).

I'm not too concerned about the noise aspect mind you. When I shut the door it all goes away.

Damn, my tank is already bordering on obnoxious. Id hate to make I louder, but I really like the way it's set up. I don't want to undo plumbing every time I need to change a sock.

And that's why I'm building it this way.
I tried sooo hard to get mine done today. Had a late start, and then all the interruptions ... it's very, very close.
I see no reason why I won't be posting pics of it tomorrow.
Don't get too excited though, it's nothing special. But I am quite pleased with how it's turning out :mrgreen: