Filter sock or no filter sock?

[Mikee]

I never used a filter sock and hope i never have too. Seems like to much work having to clean it out..

[bigmac]

I love my filter sock! The only problem is that I have to clean mine every two to three days. I usually disconnnect it, plan to clean it, leave it for a couple more days, then remember, clean it, and reinstall. Therefore I only run it for two to three days per week.

Anyone know who has any in Calgary for sale? Last I checked the LFS's were all out.

[yannicksjh]

I have a dual overflow, so one overflow drains into two 4"socks and the other one drains right into my skimmer. It is a pain to clean them out every 3 to 4 days but i like how it keeps my water crystal clean and eliminates alot of micro bubbles in my sump. Overall, my sump stays very clean since the skimmer cleans out most of the water drained into it but still pulls out tons of gunk.

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I use them in one tank but primarily for microbubble control.

I find it a huge pain to remove them and wash them. They are pretty disgusting after a week. And I hate that everytime I take it out, I'm killing about a billion copepods, brittle stars, bristleworms, etc. etc. etc. so I spend a ridiculous amount of time picking those off and tossing them back into tank, all the while cursing myself for caring too dang much.

Not sure whether to vote "yes" or "no" since it's only 1 tank I use them on. I don't really notice a difference in overall water quality. However the tanks I don't use them on, one of them I hose out every few months (it's a 20g tank so easy enough to empty and clean), and the other is a huge brown goo accumulation device and probably *should* be hosed out every few months - been a more yearly occurence in that one - and it's gruesome when it comes time to do it.

So pros and cons for sure.

I'm the same. I only use them for microbubble control and because of all the time I spend picking brittle stars and pods out they add another 30 min to my tank maintenance each week.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I use them in one tank but primarily for microbubble control.

I find it a huge pain to remove them and wash them. They are pretty disgusting after a week.
Not sure whether to vote "yes" or "no" since it's only 1 tank I use them on. I don't really notice a difference in overall water quality. However the tanks I don't use them on, one of them I hose out every few months (it's a 20g tank so easy enough to empty and clean), and the other is a huge brown goo accumulation device and probably *should* be hosed out every few months - been a more yearly occurence in that one - and it's gruesome when it comes time to do it.

So pros and cons for sure.

"And I hate that everytime I take it out, I'm killing about a billion copepods, brittle stars, bristleworms, etc. etc. etc. so I spend a ridiculous amount of time picking those off and tossing them back into tank, all the while cursing myself for caring too dang much

Great to hear that I am not the only one.

[Atomikk]

Originally Posted by naesco

"And I hate that everytime I take it out, I'm killing about a billion copepods, brittle stars, bristleworms, etc. etc. etc. so I spend a ridiculous amount of time picking those off and tossing them back into tank, all the while cursing myself for caring too dang much

Great to hear that I am not the only one.

This is why I don't use filter socks. They are high maintenance tool for waste removal from your sump.. and nothing else. If you employ one or two powerheads in the sump, you won't allow the detritus to settle and will be expelled from the sump. Also, you can get hermit crabs to eat the detritius.