Filter Socks...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by mark

well it's ideal to get the crap out of the system, don't think you need to change the socks daily or every couple of days.

Also to argue this a bit, you're thinking about getting rid of the socks as you believe must change them every couple of days to get the crap out, but then if you got rid of the socks all together you won't be removing what they would collect.

Well no but then what they collect will be used in the system rather than wasting away in a filter sock.

IMO if you are using them, you do need to change them every few days. I personally saw a huge difference in my last tank when I started to change them daily. Nitrates went down.

Anyways, this wasn't suppose to be a debate about what they do...

I was just wondering if I was missing anything before I remove them but so far no reason to keep using them.

[BC Mosaic]

At first I didn't, then I did and now I don't.
The reason I don't is that I had live beneficial critters removed from the tank as well as "food". I changed once a week but seeing the "Dark Matter" I thought too that it was a nitrate factory.
I may be reconsidering my application of its' use. I worry that any crap coming out of the tank ,especially if you're harvesting an algae problem or such, it will eventually plug up the skimmers' pump and cleaning a skimmers' pump is more a PITA than a sock.
So now I'll be going back to the sock during maintenance duty only.

[hillegom]

I don't have a sock, but was considering one. So I have to ask, how big is the mesh?
Microns, or like 1/16 in? what?
Thanks

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by hillegom

I don't have a sock, but was considering one. So I have to ask, how big is the mesh?
Microns, or like 1/16 in? what?
Thanks

There are a few sizes, I don't know what they are though. I use a very fine sock.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by BC Mosaic

At first I didn't, then I did and now I don't.
The reason I don't is that I had live beneficial critters removed from the tank as well as "food". I changed once a week but seeing the "Dark Matter" I thought too that it was a nitrate factory.
I may be reconsidering my application of its' use. I worry that any crap coming out of the tank ,especially if you're harvesting an algae problem or such, it will eventually plug up the skimmers' pump and cleaning a skimmers' pump is more a PITA than a sock.
So now I'll be going back to the sock during maintenance duty only.

This is kind of where I am at I guess...it does take a lot of stuff out every few days. But take out so much good with the bad. The amount of life I see in mine is crazy.

So if I don't use them, the good stays in the tank and some of the bad. The bad (detritus) will hopefully be used by corals, crabs, ect.

But if I don't use them, that also means cleaning pumps more as you said. I already clean them all once a month but maybe then I would need to clean more???

My sump has a powerhead in it and no baffles, so nothing ever settles.

I could go back to changing them less but everytime I do that, nitrates rise. LOL...no real solution. I guess I just have to decide.