New set up, need advice

reefwars · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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?

reefwars · #4 05-05-2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

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?

Yup that's all I do , I dont need them white like my t-shirts and they last me over a week.

1 x 7" sock does the job that a few 4" socks does so if there's space go larger. There are different sixes and microns that socks come in all have diff purposes so choose the socks for the right job, some can be washed by hand others require machine (can do by hand but that's a pita)

reefwars · #5 05-05-2014, 03:28 PM

I have enough things to do that if I can eliminate daily chores then I will

I'm not a fan of socks or sponges but I'm also not a fan of 4yr crud in my sump lol

EquiReef · #6 05-05-2014, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

I have enough things to do that if I can eliminate daily chores then I will

I'm not a fan of socks or sponges but I'm also not a fan of 4yr crud in my sump lol

I couldnt agree more. I want to do as little as possible. I have a lot of regrets with the setup of our original tank and I dont want to make them again. The least amount of work I can do, the better. So I think I will buy a bunch of filter socks, as large as I can fit. How do I know which kind is the right kind for me?

reefwars · #7 05-05-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

I couldnt agree more. I want to do as little as possible. I have a lot of regrets with the setup of our original tank and I dont want to make them again. The least amount of work I can do, the better. So I think I will buy a bunch of filter socks, as large as I can fit. How do I know which kind is the right kind for me?

Buy an assortment and see what you like for each , when scrubbing down my tanks I use the nylon socks and clean by hand , for general use I use the polyfibre and they last over a week and clog less.

Reef Pilot · #8 05-05-2014, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquiReef

I couldnt agree more. I want to do as little as possible. I have a lot of regrets with the setup of our original tank and I dont want to make them again. The least amount of work I can do, the better. So I think I will buy a bunch of filter socks, as large as I can fit. How do I know which kind is the right kind for me?

200 micron 7" X 16" socks worked best for me (when I was using them).

reefwars · #9 05-05-2014, 03:18 PM

I also don't clean my skimmer neck lol maybe once a year

Reef Pilot · #10 05-05-2014, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

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

You might have missed this comment, as it was a later edit... But am still curious about the new change...

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

I also don't clean my skimmer neck lol maybe once a year

Don't know what kind of skimmer you have, but mine (Vertex) looks pretty bad, just after a week...