New set up, need advice

EquiReef · #1 05-02-2014, 03:23 PM

Ok, that makes sense then. Filter socks seem easier to deal with than a sponge of some sort.

Best brand of skimmer to go with?

I have LEDs on my main display and Aquaticlife T5 on my basement tank and so far I am more impressed with the colors under the LEDS but I am still torn between the two. What is the best brand for each(LED and T5)? Thoughts on the PAR38 bulbs?

I think I am going to go with Eheim pumps for the skimmer as from what I have read they have gotten very good reviews.

Reef Pilot · #2 05-02-2014, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

Ok, that makes sense then. Filter socks seem easier to deal with than a sponge of some sort.

Yeah, that seems to be popular opinion alright... BUT that's not what I found.

I was using filter socks and found it a real chore to have to change/clean them every 3 or 4 days. Now I have a large sponge that fits in between baffles in my sump, and takes all of 2 min, to squeeze out in the sink and replace every 2 or 3 days,... way less work than the filter socks.

Plus the sponge is better when I am away, too, as it just pushes up on the baffles when dirty to let some water flow by, whereas the socks used to spill over causing some splashing.

And I only need 1 sponge vs about 6 filter socks that I used in rotation. And this single sponge is 10+ years old now, whereas filter socks only last about a 2 years at best (depends on how many used in rotation).

Anyway, your choice, but hope you enjoy filter sock cleaning if you go that route...

EquiReef · #3 05-02-2014, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yeah, that seems to be popular opinion alright...

Anyway, your choice, but hope you enjoy filter sock cleaning if you go that route...

You found it easier to clean the sponge rather than the filter sock? Did you find the sponge still collected enough? The filter socks I have seen are very very fine, I would imagine much finer than any sponge.

Reef Pilot · #4 05-02-2014, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

You found it easier to clean the sponge rather than the filter sock? Did you find the sponge still collected enough? The filter socks I have seen are very very fine, I would imagine much finer than any sponge.

Yeah, they both collected about the same, although the sponge does not last quite as long as the filter socks did. I had the large 7" X 16" filter socks, so a lot of capacity. Many use the smaller 4" socks, which would plug up really fast in my system (230g). The sponge is 2" X 3" wide X 14" long. My baffles are actually deeper so could accommodate quite a bit larger sponge. So if/when I buy a new one, I would get a bigger one.

With filter socks, you have to put them in bleach for a couple days, then turn them inside out to scrub them clean, and then back in the water with a dechlorizer solution for another day, and then dry. Some do them in the washing machine, but I know my wife would not allow that... Was a real PITA for me.

Sponge is so quick and easy, with just some squeezing and rinsing in the sink. The gunk comes out real fast, and then pop it back into your sump.

EquiReef · #5 05-02-2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Sponge is so quick and easy, with just some squeezing and rinsing in the sink. The gunk comes out real fast, and then pop it back into your sump.

I was totally with you on the sponge as the bleaching process does not seem enjoyable or quick at all. But then you mentioned using the washing machine and it caught my interest. Can they just be thrown in with bleach and then used right away? Or is there a whole process still? I have no issues using my machine for this, cant be any worse than washing the horse blankets in there lol.

Reef Pilot · #6 05-02-2014, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

I was totally with you on the sponge as the bleaching process does not seem enjoyable or quick at all. But then you mentioned using the washing machine and it caught my interest. Can they just be thrown in with bleach and then used right away? Or is there a whole process still? I have no issues using my machine for this, cant be any worse than washing the horse blankets in there lol.

Have not used the washing machine myself, but a lot of people do. Just add a little bleach with the wash cycle. I would probably turn them inside out, too, so all the crud gets washed out. I think this is probably a way better than manual washing them like I did.

You still need to let them dry, to air out any bleach, and perhaps use a dechlorizer soak as well. That's why you want a bunch of them, so you can clean several at a time.

And if you do go filter socks, use the large 7" inch ones, as they last a lot longer.

harlequin01 · #7 05-04-2014, 05:36 PM

my skimmer would go crazy after putting new filter socks washed in bleach. now i rinsed the socks in clean ro water and that usually do the trick

reefwars · #8 05-05-2014, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

With filter socks, you have to put them in bleach for a couple days, then turn them inside out to scrub them clean, and then back in the water with a dechlorizer solution for another day, and then dry. Some do them in the washing machine, but I know my wife would not allow that... Was a real PITA for me.

Wow I don't think I know one person who goes through that much trouble to wash a sock lol no wonder you quit using them lol

I just rinse twice in regular wash , no bleach no hand washing , no dechlorinizer ( ? )

Takes about half an hour and the machine does most the work, I do push the button though

For the hour at best it takes me to wash socks I run the system sock free

Sponges are fine too but I did that long before socks were around and popular in Sumps , not much has changed in the way of sponge technology so I doubt I'd be going back.

With that said properly running and healthy system needs no fabrics at all to run its just ease of maintenance , I've ran many setups without as I was always to lazy to squeeze sponges and custom fitting a sock into my existing sump wasn't gonna happen then lol

Reef Pilot · #9 05-05-2014, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

With that said properly running and healthy system needs no fabrics at all to run its just ease of maintenance , I've ran many setups without as I was always to lazy to squeeze sponges and custom fitting a sock into my existing sump wasn't gonna happen then lol

I tried running without anything for a while, but found my skimmer neck was collecting gunk more quickly, and needed more frequent cleaning to keep it working effectively.

I still say that it is faster to squeeze/rinse my sponge than it takes for your filter socks (2 min beats 1 hour)...

And BTW, since when did you start capitalizing and punctuating your posts, and thinking about spelling!!???...

EquiReef · #10 05-05-2014, 03:17 PM

So given my level of laziness and the fact I have free range of using my washing machine, I think I will go with filter socks. But I think I will buy 4 or 5 of them and just throw them in a bucket until I have a few to wash at a time. Laziness will always win out with me lol.

So washing them in the washing machine- I just put it on rinse twice and thats it? No soap or bleach?