How often should I replace my filter sock

[smalls383]

Anyone have any recommendations for how often a sock should be replaced? It is a 200 micron sock. Also should I put some carbon in a media bag in my sump? Would this help or hurt a reef tank?

Thanks for all the help!!!!

[papagimp]

replace? When it falls apart. But it should be cleaned every day IMO for optimal performance. I do this by sticking it in a bucket full of water and bleach (I don't measure, just dump the stuff in) then let it sit overnight, rinse it very very well, and then let air dry. When you don't smell the bleach on it anymore, it should be good to go. I've heard of others using the washing machine for them, but don't have one so can't use one on them. You can wait a little longer to clean it as long as it's not clogging up but that can still lead to higher than optimal nitrate levels. best to buy up several and swap out for a clean one every day.

carbon won't really hurt a reef by anymeans. many run it religously, then you have people like me who never use it. All depends on weather or not the system needs it, and everybodies system is different.

[gws76]

Not sure on the sock. I use the carbon in a media bag, I've heard several using it too. I just fill the bag tie, tie it, rinse it, and throw it in my sump. Not sure on how often to change it out. I change mine every two weeks.

[smalls383]

OK, great. Thanks for the info. The system is still cycling and my water is cloudy, kinda whitish. Thats why I thought maybe the carbon would help. I have heard that this cloudy water comes from the live rock cycling (uncured 85 lbs). Is this true and how long will this last. The tank is only 3 days old....I know I know I have no patience... :)

[papagimp]

If the tank is still cycling, don't worry about adding carbon or anything yet. Waste of money if ya ask me. The cloudyness can come from many things, I never had cloudy water due to rock cycling or anything, but definatly from adding new sand to a tank. That'll do it almost every time if ya don't rinse it sufficeintly to begin with (which i've never done)

Lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Longest it took my tank to "settle"was around a month, but by the time it was over, the tank was completely cycled.

BTW, learn some patience, this is not a hobby for impatient people, trust me...I'm impatient and I've wasted so much money because of it and lost so many various pieces of livestock because of this....it's a slow process and needs to be treated as such. Best of luck!!!

[smalls383]

Hey Papagimp...thanks for all the info!!!

[silverwolf72]

During cycling most of the nasty you want, thats whats feeding the good bacteria you want.

[jonbry123]

Papagim and Silverwolf are correct. Don't be impatent, boy I should practice what I preach. Over the years I've set up many saltwater tanks using different filtration methods as the hobby has advanced. You definitely want all the nasty stuff that will cycle your tank, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc to build which will help the bacteria which break these toxic substances down cycle your tank making it safe for your animals. There are a number of products out on the market today-live bacteria which claim to be able to cycle a tank in a matter of days-don't believe it. I've personally tried and it's nothing more than snake oil. No way can this bacteria live in suspension for months if not years-depending on when the bottle was filled and you actually buy it. This is a hobby that requires patience. As far as using filter socks I tried that but found that they got too dirty with detritus too quickly. These are factories for nitrate production. I built my own wet/dry filters and now only use filter floss at the first level to collect detritus which I replace every two weeks. If you add to much-fish, inverts to quickly I guarantee you that most will die within a very short time in an uncycled tank. Let us know how you do....:)

Scott