Filter sock or no filter sock?

[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.

[Alberta-newb]

I use one on my overflow and another on my skimmer output. Since I'm lazy I bought 6 and swap them out every 4 days, when the last set is dirty they all go into the washing machine with just bleach. I check each one as they're swapped just to make sure I'm not killing too much. Did find that hitchiker crab last week that I've been hunting for the last month...guess he decided to go "over the wall" on his own.

[Patrick1]

I am going to say I am a very firm believer in filter socks.
From what people in the industry have told me filter socks are intended to be used for 1-2 days then replaced with a clean sock. The reason for this is they are mechanically filtering out larger loads of waste (100 micron) then sponges etc. You remove the waste filled sock before Nitrates etc start to emit from the trapped rotting waste.

To make it less of a hassle for myself I have 10 or more socks so I only have to wash them once every 2 weeks with turning them all inside out and rinsing them with Prime it takes me about 5 minutes worth of work.

Since changing to a sock system my skimmer works a tenth as hard as it did before. I have zero Nitrates etc. I have added more live stock to my system with out waste build up. And eliminated the pest algae. I also have no build up of waste residue on my sump bottom and they system runs with a lot less noise.

So that’s how things have been going with my socks. Seems to work for me but I am not you.

[Oscar]

This has been a very enlightening discussion. Other than carbon and Phosban I have only used a sock at the skimmer output to reduce microbubbles. It was of mixed success.

Below is a photo of the back of my tank when it was first being tested for leaks. You can see that there are 2 overflows. From left to right chamber 1 = now full of LR rubble, Chamber 2 = skimmer which empties into Chamber 3, Chamber 3 = refugium, Chamber 3 = return pump and heater.

Any ideas on how to use socks at the overflows? Currently using floss with marginal success.

[Patrick1]

Yes cut a piece of plexi to fit where, (I think thats a filter sponge) is and cut a circle to fit the sock. From the top the sock rim should rest on the plexi.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Patrick1

Yes cut a piece of plexi to fit where, (I think thats a filter sponge) is and cut a circle to fit the sock. From the top the sock rim should rest on the plexi.

hmmm...That is probably heading in the right direction. I currently have my LR rubble in that chamber. On top of which are my carbon and Posban bags. And sitting on top of those is a temporary piece of plexiglass drilled with a series of holes. That allows the overflow water to disperse over the media bags.

(Apologies for hi-jacking this thread)