Do I really need filter socks?

TwentyfiveCents · 08/30/2017, 09:43 PM

I know it's not a huge choir to change the socks but if I drop abuncha matrix media in the area where my socks are suppose to be would that sorta do the same thing as the socks? I don't have algae problems and my system runs uln

davocean · 08/30/2017, 10:10 PM

I often go w/out them and many people don't use them at all, but I would not mess w/ adding any media or anything.
Socks are just mecahnical filtration that will polish water, but if not changed regularly they can also raise nitrates, so better w/out than dirty socks.

manfrog · 08/30/2017, 10:59 PM

I have tanks with and without. One would assume that the added mechanical filtration would reduce suspended particles in the water column. My clearest tank (as far as particles in the column go) has never had a sock. My tank with the most suspended particles has a sock.
Floating particles do not always indicate a problem. There are a multitude of other variables and I would imagine a natural reef would have many floaters including some that are highly beneficial.

TwentyfiveCents · 08/30/2017, 11:30 PM

I'm going going to drop the socks, I know you advised not using media but the matrix is a place for beneficial bacteria to grow and live so I don't see anything bad happening with that...I'll drop abuncha matrix in place of the socks and see what happens

Ron Reefman · 08/31/2017, 04:56 AM

The filter socks and the matrix media do 2 different things. The socks filter out larger particulate matter, the matrix is like live rock and allows for bacteria to grow. They are not replacements for each other.

davocean · 08/31/2017, 06:58 AM

^^ Right, what he said, your LR should take care of those needs

ozmosis7 · 08/31/2017, 07:01 AM

I don't use them.

Kremis · 08/31/2017, 09:04 AM

i use them, and change them out every 2 weeks generally

BigT75 · 08/31/2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kremis

i use them, and change them out every 2 weeks generally

I only wish lol ATM mine need a fresh sock weekly I found 200micron for 1.50 ea on flea bay yeah china but at that price worth it

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LuizW13 · 08/31/2017, 09:46 AM

I don't use socks, but i do use a poly filter that i bought on amazon. I change those every 3 days at the most.

DarkSkyForever · 08/31/2017, 12:23 PM

I run them when I'm having some sort of issue, like recently I was dealing with a dino explosion so I was running a sock and turkey baster to blow the snot off of the rocks. I was swapping out my socks every other day during that period.

When I was having issues with low nitrates, I left a sock on and didn't change it for over two weeks.

If I'm going to do a water change, I'll throw one on, blast the rocks and bottom with the turkey baster and turn my MP40s on nutrient export mode to get all sorts of detritus stirred up and removed. I'll leave it on for a day after the water change and then go sockless.

There is no hard and fast reason to use or not use a filter sock, they can be entirely situational as I listed above.

bernster52 · 06/11/2018, 04:53 PM

ok so question arise is with filter sock it softens the noise of the water flowing into the refugium from atop. without the sock it sounds like a water fall. how do i soften the noise level without the sock. Sorry for putting a question inside a question. i would love to go without the sock for the nutritional value of recycle good stuff back into the tank.

mcgyvr · 06/11/2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernster52

ok so question arise is with filter sock it softens the noise of the water flowing into the refugium from atop. without the sock it sounds like a water fall. how do i soften the noise level without the sock. Sorry for putting a question inside a question. i would love to go without the sock for the nutritional value of recycle good stuff back into the tank.

Simply extend the pipe so that there is less of a fall the water..
The higher the falling water.. the higher the noise level..
Extend the pipe to or below the water and you won't have a falling water sound.

After that many overflows are noisy because they are flowing more water than they can properly handle and tend to suck air down and make flushing sounds,etc... if thats the problem then reduce the flowrate by adding a valve on the output of the pump to slow it down..

bernster52 · 06/11/2018, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Simply extend the pipe so that there is less of a fall the water..
The higher the falling water.. the higher the noise level..
Extend the pipe to or below the water and you won't have a falling water sound.

After that many overflows are noisy because they are flowing more water than they can properly handle and tend to suck air down and make flushing sounds,etc... if thats the problem then reduce the flowrate by adding a valve on the output of the pump to slow it down..

bernster52 · 06/11/2018, 05:50 PM

Thanks I will give that a try.

ReefJak · 06/11/2018, 06:42 PM

Socks seem to be a good idea when cleaning tank etc. But not really necessary all the time. Just another area to create problems if not being kept clean.

hkgar · 06/12/2018, 01:42 PM

no!

Conchman · 06/12/2018, 10:26 PM

I could sell you a brand new, never used sock that came with my Trigger...�� me, I no longer use them...

scooter31707 · 06/14/2018, 11:06 AM

I only use them when I turkey blast the rocks during water changes. I usually let them run for about 3-4 days after the water change.

first29gallon · 06/14/2018, 12:53 PM

Without the filet socks do your sump get extra dirty and require cleaning more often ?

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sde1500 · 06/14/2018, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first29gallon

Without the filet socks do your sump get extra dirty and require cleaning more often ?

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2 years of no socks on my current tank. Haven’t cleaned the sump yet. Yes there is build up, no I don’t care. It can stay. Critters live in it.

hkgar · 06/14/2018, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first29gallon

Without the filet socks do your sump get extra dirty and require cleaning more often ?

I don't know. I don't really look.

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fijisrfr · 06/14/2018, 07:28 PM

NO,NO,& NO again!!!!!!

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LeJeune981 · 06/16/2018, 09:38 AM

I stopped running filter socks a while back..prolly 6 months or better ago.. best thing I've done for the tank.. more coral growth.. more pods and tiny life.. my fuge has a bit of crud built up on the bottom.. but when I look close.. there is TONS of life living in and on it..

When I was dosing no pox i ran a mesh bag for a sock to catch the random bacteria slime that would come out of my return pump.. and to catch dead algae as it would float around..

My water is not crystal clear..but it is still very clear.. it just has stuff floating all through it. But as I understand that is all coral food and critters

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08/30/2017, 09:43 PM	#1
TwentyfiveCents Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: mobile Posts: 33	Do I really need filter socks? I know it's not a huge choir to change the socks but if I drop abuncha matrix media in the area where my socks are suppose to be would that sorta do the same thing as the socks? I don't have algae problems and my system runs uln

08/30/2017, 10:10 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I often go w/out them and many people don't use them at all, but I would not mess w/ adding any media or anything. Socks are just mecahnical filtration that will polish water, but if not changed regularly they can also raise nitrates, so better w/out than dirty socks. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

08/31/2017, 04:56 AM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The filter socks and the matrix media do 2 different things. The socks filter out larger particulate matter, the matrix is like live rock and allows for bacteria to grow. They are not replacements for each other. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/31/2017, 06:58 AM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	^^ Right, what he said, your LR should take care of those needs __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

06/12/2018, 01:42 PM	#17
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	no! __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

08/30/2017, 10:59 PM	#3
manfrog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Satsuma, AL Posts: 56	I have tanks with and without. One would assume that the added mechanical filtration would reduce suspended particles in the water column. My clearest tank (as far as particles in the column go) has never had a sock. My tank with the most suspended particles has a sock. Floating particles do not always indicate a problem. There are a multitude of other variables and I would imagine a natural reef would have many floaters including some that are highly beneficial.

08/30/2017, 11:30 PM	#4
TwentyfiveCents Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: mobile Posts: 33	I'm going going to drop the socks, I know you advised not using media but the matrix is a place for beneficial bacteria to grow and live so I don't see anything bad happening with that...I'll drop abuncha matrix in place of the socks and see what happens

08/31/2017, 07:01 AM	#7
ozmosis7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 75	I don't use them.

08/31/2017, 09:04 AM	#8
Kremis Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 799	i use them, and change them out every 2 weeks generally

08/31/2017, 09:46 AM	#10
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	I don't use socks, but i do use a poly filter that i bought on amazon. I change those every 3 days at the most.

08/31/2017, 12:23 PM	#11
DarkSkyForever Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 92	I run them when I'm having some sort of issue, like recently I was dealing with a dino explosion so I was running a sock and turkey baster to blow the snot off of the rocks. I was swapping out my socks every other day during that period. When I was having issues with low nitrates, I left a sock on and didn't change it for over two weeks. If I'm going to do a water change, I'll throw one on, blast the rocks and bottom with the turkey baster and turn my MP40s on nutrient export mode to get all sorts of detritus stirred up and removed. I'll leave it on for a day after the water change and then go sockless. There is no hard and fast reason to use or not use a filter sock, they can be entirely situational as I listed above.

06/11/2018, 04:53 PM	#12
bernster52 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 10	ok so question arise is with filter sock it softens the noise of the water flowing into the refugium from atop. without the sock it sounds like a water fall. how do i soften the noise level without the sock. Sorry for putting a question inside a question. i would love to go without the sock for the nutritional value of recycle good stuff back into the tank.

06/11/2018, 05:50 PM	#15
bernster52 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 10	Thanks I will give that a try.

06/11/2018, 06:42 PM	#16
ReefJak Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 11	Socks seem to be a good idea when cleaning tank etc. But not really necessary all the time. Just another area to create problems if not being kept clean.

06/12/2018, 10:26 PM	#18
Conchman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 56	I could sell you a brand new, never used sock that came with my Trigger...�� me, I no longer use them...

06/14/2018, 11:06 AM	#19
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I only use them when I turkey blast the rocks during water changes. I usually let them run for about 3-4 days after the water change.

06/14/2018, 12:53 PM	#20
first29gallon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 72	Without the filet socks do your sump get extra dirty and require cleaning more often ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/14/2018, 07:28 PM	#23
fijisrfr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 594	NO,NO,& NO again!!!!!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

06/16/2018, 09:38 AM	#24
LeJeune981 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 747	I stopped running filter socks a while back..prolly 6 months or better ago.. best thing I've done for the tank.. more coral growth.. more pods and tiny life.. my fuge has a bit of crud built up on the bottom.. but when I look close.. there is TONS of life living in and on it.. When I was dosing no pox i ran a mesh bag for a sock to catch the random bacteria slime that would come out of my return pump.. and to catch dead algae as it would float around.. My water is not crystal clear..but it is still very clear.. it just has stuff floating all through it. But as I understand that is all coral food and critters Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk