To Filter with your Socks or not?

[soapy]

No. But occasionally I will put a sock on the return pipe and stir things up with a turkey baster and clean out the tank, including scraping algae from the overflow etc. I usually remove the sock after the cleaning session and rinse it out.

[kien]

No. I don't use them on a regular basis. I'm too lazy to clean them, they periodically cause my skimmer to go berzerk and I don't like the idea of throwing them into the washing machine just to wash 4 or 5 filter socks.

I did used them for the first year that my tank was running, then ditched them. I will put a sock on maybe once every few months whenever I've done a thorough cleaning of the tank which involves blowing debris off of rocks, etc.

I think filter socks are good and filter socks are bad. Depends on your perspective :-)

[lastlight]

I believe removing the detritus daily is beneficial and minimizes what breaks down in the tank. Lucky for me (or very unlucky lol) I run THREE 100 micron socks and all three require daily cleaning as they plug in less than 24 hours!

[Myka]

I use 200 micron. I would prefer 50 micron, but I can't find them for a decent price. I have 10 socks that I changed everyday. When I've used 8 I flip them inside out and wash in the machine. I don't add anything to the machine (no soap, bleach, baking soda). Since I change them everyday they don't get so dirty that I need to pre-rinse by hand. Pre-rinsing sucks.

[lastlight]

Mine become so thoroughly clogged that when I pick them up they are no longer allowing ANY water through. I have to rub the sock against itself and let it slowly trickle out to the point where I can pinch the top and squeeze the sock empty. It's routine and I think it's worth the hassle so I do it.

I wash by hand and do suspect I'm not able to get them as clean as the washer could. I might start doing them in there once a month or something. I worry about all the soap residues in the machine though.

[bignose]

I only use one when I do a big tank clean and remove when done. I find my skimmer goes crazy when I put a filter sock in my tank.

[dreef]

Yeah same as me,i would just shut the skimmer down till the next day.Then i tried mesh,never ever using felt again.Too easy to clean even by hand,don't even look at it for a week.

[Reefer Rob]

I'm addicted to filter socks, I can't seem to stop. Easier not to use them, but love the look of crystal clear water. 200 micron felt, tried the mesh, but I'm not sure they remove enough.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

I'm addicted to filter socks, I can't seem to stop. Easier not to use them, but love the look of crystal clear water. 200 micron felt, tried the mesh, but I'm not sure they remove enough.

The mesh Vertex 100 micron I use are crazy fine. CAn't see those pores almost without a magnifier. I find hand-washing mesh way easier than felt.

[Reefer Rob]

Yes, the mesh are way easier, but the ones I have are 200 micron