Filter Socks

[RayAllen3422]

Do you all recommend using filter socks? If so, where do you buy them from? I have looked at prices and they seem expensive for what they are.

[webslinger]

Amazon is your friend.

[RayAllen3422]

Amazon is your friend.


What micron size do you recommend?

[thegrun]

I use 100 micron socks. If you use filter socks it is important to clean them every 3-4 days or they will start to increase your nitrates. If you are not willing to clean them on a regular basis you are better off without them IMHO.

[ScienceRulez]

I agree they need changed and cleaned regularly. I have a rotation so I can use a clean set every day. Don't forget that they are reusable almost indefinitely. I'm using the 100 micron size.

[Aquageek450]

I use 100 micron as well. I have about 10 of them that I rotate out. Once a few get dirty I run then through the rinse cycle a few times in the washer and then do one cycle with some bleach and then another rinse cycle. makes them look new again. once they dry I reuse them.

[scooter31707]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2475519

[A.Astore]

Micron rating will determine how often you need to change them out as well as how long they are (change due to overflowing not because of things breaking down in them). I currently have 100 micron on mine and have to change it every three days but it is currently very low in terms of stocking. I would keep that in mind when deciding which you go with. The other thing is there is a difference between mesh and felt. People say the mesh can go a little longer before overflowing but I found it to be the opposite for some reason.

It is one of the things in the system I look at when I switch it out and think I cannot imagine leaving the system without it (much like the skimmer cup) because of the crap in it.

A lot of people use the bleach, as mentioned above, but I can't get myself to use it. I know there has been no issue but I would be the unlucky one so I let the sock sit out for 24 hours, soak it in peroxide for about 20 minutes, throw it in the wash hot cycle, then let it air dry. It gets them looking nice and clean without any worry of chemicals being trapped.

[DrewHaus]

I use 100 and 200 micron socks and change them out every 3-5 days (200 microns last a bit longer). If i'm going to be away for more than a few days I just go sockless. You'll be amazed at the gunk that builds up in them. They are pretty cheap on Amazon, and last for a good while.

[CStrickland]

I sew them out of white felt from Walmart. Idk what micron that would be, it feels like it's in between the mesh sock and the fuzzy kind. I got the felt on sale, so the socks are less than a dollar a piece iirc.

[Reef_junkie91]

I used to make my own like Cstrickland but now I buy the 4" ones from BRS. They last longer. Just wash them in the washer no soap of course.