From what I have been told. There are a few important principles that a felt sock can provide. When I designed my sump the first thing I looked at was good mechanical filtration. A 100 micron sock will capture most debris giving you a huge first step in filtration. Your skimmer, carbon, etc. will have far less work. I am not aware of any sponges that can provide 100 micro filtration.
I looked at things like a rainbow canister system. The problem with fine mechanical filtration is with in a few days you risk an out break of nitrates etc. Felt socks take seconds to change, and can be cleaned and re used, unlike other systems. As others mention in this thread they also help control micro bubbles.
Cleaning is simple turn inside out wash on warm with out soap. Rinse well. Now at the start of this thread the original question was about white foam and micro bubbles after washing. When I started building my system and purchased my socks I was concerned about soap residue from the washer. I never even considered the white micro foam problem. I was told to just rinse the socks after washing them in a bucket of water with a good shot of Prime. I would recommend washing and using a rinse in Prime with new socks as well. I bought some new ones a while ago used one with out washing it and had a foaming issue.
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