Mounting a filter sock?

[paddyob]

Wondering. Do you need a rack for filter socks or are the draw string ones just as good? Tie it around the drain pipe?

[lastlight]

With a rack it can overflow when clogged. I'd be nervous to tie it tight around in case it clogged but I have tied the ones with stiff plastic rings around my drain as they will still allow spillover. That worked ok.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by lastlight

With a rack it can overflow when clogged. I'd be nervous to tie it tight around in case it clogged but I have tied the ones with stiff plastic rings around my drain as they will still allow spillover. That worked ok.

Good point. The problem I have is the water level in my first chamber. There is not much space for a sock rack. Water level is about 3" from top. So not sure how to do it.

[Madmak]

This works well, just a tray that the water flows over and down through clean socks, but flows right over the socks when they're dirty.

[Reef Pilot]

I made my own sock holder, 7" diameter from lexan. Very easy to bend and shape, similar to sheet metal.

[kien]

My socks have always been rigid enough to just stand up on their own without any holder or fastening. I just stick my return pipe into the sock and the sock stands up by itself while leaning against the pipe and sump wall.

[Reef Pilot]

I should mention too, that with this holder, the top ring of the sock is about 8" above the water level in the sump. That extra height creates head pressure to keep the sock from clogging up sooner. The water level in the sock slowly rises, as the bottom of the sock clogs first. As I said, mine can last 10 days this way, although I change it usually once a week.

If the top ring was near the sump water level, probably wouldn't get more than a few days out of it, before it needed changing. I think too frequent changing is why most people don't like to use filter socks.

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I made my own sock holder, 7" diameter from lexan. Very easy to bend and shape, similar to sheet metal.

[lastlight]

If propping the sock under the pipe is tough cut the pipe and insert a coupler above the sock so you can remove some pipe when removing the sock.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by lastlight

If propping the sock under the pipe is tough cut the pipe and insert a coupler above the sock so you can remove some pipe when removing the sock.

I just use a flexible drain hose for the last part of the pipe. Makes it easy to move and lift, to change the sock. I don't even shut off my return pump, as it is so quick and easy to do.

[mark]

I'm just using the draw string, hook and a little piece of chain. Seems okay as been like this for 6-7 years.