Cheap common alternative for filter sock?

[Ehaze]

thanks!

[xJake]

http://www.randystacye.com/diy_filter_sock.htm

[Jenisiz]

micron bag...can find them at your lfs..

[FlamesFan]

I honestly didn't realize filter socks were considered "expansive" and had DIY versions...they are like 7 bucks per here... compared to everything else in this hobby thats like pocket change.

[downhillbiker]

i personally dont believe in filter socks. i only use them when i am stirring up the water with a water change. i believe that they are detritus traps and if you run without them you are allowing your skimmer to pick up the debris and waste that your filter sock would catch and then hold in your water column.

[kingsland]

Sew your own, they are easy to make. Use ordinary white felt from any frabric store. Here in the midwest it is around $5.00 per yard x 57" wide. That is a whole bunch of fabric socks. You can also custom make your own sizes. http://www.wichitaaquariumclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1402

[Jenisiz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329040#post14329040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xJake
http://www.randystacye.com/diy_filter_sock.htm

Nice....I'm going to try this.

[FlamesFan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329122#post14329122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i personally dont believe in filter socks. i only use them when i am stirring up the water with a water change. i believe that they are detritus traps and if you run without them you are allowing your skimmer to pick up the debris and waste that your filter sock would catch and then hold in your water column.

There are pro's and con's...you will find most large tanks use them. I swap mine out daily. The main reason I use them is to keep large stuff from entering my skimmer.

[Playa-1]

You need a cheap alternative to something that if $5?

[FlamesFan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329242#post14329242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Playa-1
You need a cheap alternative to something that if $5?

+1 lol *sigh*

[tkeracer619]

18 DIY socks for $10 vs $100+ for purchased ones. Sounds reasonable. No need to knock wanting to save some money.

[xJake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329373#post14329373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tkeracer619
18 DIY socks for $10 vs $100+ for purchased ones. Sounds reasonable. No need to knock wanting to save some money.

+1. You gotta save $$$ where you can.

[Mr. Brooks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329122#post14329122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i personally dont believe in filter socks. i only use them when i am stirring up the water with a water change. i believe that they are detritus traps and if you run without them you are allowing your skimmer to pick up the debris and waste that your filter sock would catch and then hold in your water column.

I'm trying this method. I got sick and tired of cleaning them all the time. So far it's working out great. Water is crystal clear. Just a bit more detritus build up in the fuge than normal. I'm hoping that when the tank matures it'll end up as food for all the critters in the fuge.

[Craig Lambert]

Filter socks are dirt cheap........I guess you've never bought fish food.

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329373#post14329373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tkeracer619
18 DIY socks for $10 vs $100+ for purchased ones. Sounds reasonable. No need to knock wanting to save some money.

I'm not opposed to saving money, I think if your serious about saving money then your in the wrong hobby.

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14329663#post14329663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Playa-1
I'm not opposed to saving money, I think if your serious about saving money then your in the wrong hobby.

nope. a dollar saved is a dollar toward that next coral purchase. for me it is the fruitloops acan.

[spongebob281]

women white panty hose is what i used. You can double them up for added durability

[lurchccd]

I agree with saving any chance you get. I use a small bathroom sized trash can, with a plant basket sitting in the top of it. Then i just get the filter fabric from the lfs, here it is free! And set the fabric in the plant basket, change that every two to three days. Oh yea, and cut holes in the bottom of the trash can so water exits at the bottom. its simple and cheap.

[Ehaze]

Cool, thanks guys.

No way am I going to be paying shipping for a few filterbags that I will have to toss out. 10$ a day, no thanks! I am not as rich as Playa-1 and, FlamesFan (he has to make a ton, look at his occupation)

[onano]

I had never used any filter socks because of the stories I heard about them being nitrate factories. I then saw the DIY and figured heck why not make 20 of them for $5 and change them out daily and see what happens. I have to say that I am pleased with the DIY socks and they fill up daily. My tank always looked crystal clear so I am surprised at what the socks pull out. My skimmer seems to be pulling more all of a sudden as well. I'm glad I switched.

[THE ROOK]

Ehaze - You don't toss out filter socks. Just throw them in the washer with bleach only, then air dry overnight. White again & good for the next round.

I make my own also. After the 1st few, I realized taking the time to double stitch the material has helped with longevity.

For washing the diy ones, I just turn them inside out.

[CIGDAZE]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. My LFS has an exchange program. A new sock is 6 bucks, but I can bring in my old, dirty ones and exchange them for a new, clean one for $1. Regardless, filter socks are definitely the least expensive part of this hobby.

[bimmer01]

Sweet, I've been looking for a DIY filter sock method.

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14330218#post14330218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ehaze
Cool, thanks guys.

No way am I going to be paying shipping for a few filterbags that I will have to toss out. 10$ a day, no thanks! I am not as rich as Playa-1 and, FlamesFan (he has to make a ton, look at his occupation)


Why would you toss them out? I have 4 that have lasted for 3 years, and there is no reason they won't be good for 3 more years. I change out once a week and wash them.

[Uncle Salty 05]

I'm not opposed to saving money, I think if your serious about saving money then your in the wrong hobby.

Not rue.
After the initial investment (which is admittedly significant) someone smart and thrifty can endulge in this hobby virtually for free.
The frags I trade to the LFS's pay for all of my supplies.
Saving money is a state of mind, some people just have a gene that makes them look for ways to save money. :-)

[strtrodreefer]

I agree, washing and reuse is simple enough, however one thing that does seem to work well is a 1 gallon elastic top paint strainer bag. Although not a micron filter they do stop larger particles, turn inside out to rinse and reuse, and cost less than a dollar at paint stores.

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14330218#post14330218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ehaze
Cool, thanks guys.

No way am I going to be paying shipping for a few filterbags that I will have to toss out. 10$ a day, no thanks! I am not as rich as Playa-1 and, FlamesFan (he has to make a ton, look at his occupation)

I would say that your time is valuable, That's where people miss the buck. By the time you screw around shopping for material, acquiring supplies and planning the project out. Then Cut the material sit down and sew the material. You have time and money invested into the project. Not to mention drive time and fuel expense or freight for the supplies. I would say the cost is significantly more the $10. My point is you can buy 4 quality filter socks for $20 and you would wash them twice per month. I don't think you have to be rich to spend $20. Maybe your time is worthless to you. My free time is very valuable to me (Time is Money), so I guess I look at the world a little differently :D

The way I see it is that your screwing around with this project on your day off. If you were at your job on your day off you would expect time and a half. So put a half a day at time and a half for your personal time spent and add that to the $10 and see what it cost you.

If any of you guys want to come work for me for $20 - $40 bucks per day on your day off I would be happy to put you to work :D

[THE ROOK]

To each their own.

I purchased pre-cut squares or felt for 25 cents a piece @ some craft store & spent two hours & made about 10 socks. Total cost $5.00

[sikpupy]

I can see what plya is saying, though, most of us have more time than money. The ones on the board that have a business I can totally justify the buying, as they have other things to do rather than sitting around knitting....*knit one, pearl two, knit one, pearl two....

Hey, isnt that what women are for?? :p

{ducks and runs for cover}

[dendro982]

I'll second the Coralife filter pads, sew them yourself. After multiple bleachings thread will give up and you will need to re-sew again. Use durable thread.

I started to use double bags: 100 micron for rough filtering and outer bag - the one without microns listed, it is below 50 micron. Without prefiltration it clogs fast.

Craft felt has larger pores.

{ducks and runs for cover}
Very reasonable behaviour, shows experience :D This is women are for?

[anomie]

I used to use socks but got tired of washing them. I now use pillow stuffing that I place in the baffles in my sump. I pull it out and throw it away the next day. It's only $2 or $3 dollars a bag and a bag lasts forever.

[calvertbill]

I never use them for filtration, but i will use them for temporary fixes of phosphate remover and the like.

As to cost? Every town in America has a Dollar store which sells $1 panty hose. One pair provides you with at least 6 disposable bags.