Filter Sock

Fr3eB · 03/16/2018, 11:38 PM

Quick question! Is it necessary to install a filter sock in the sump/refugium if you already running a protein skimmer? Opinions are greatly appreciated

NanoReefWanabe · 03/17/2018, 02:45 AM

If you don't enjoy daily maintenance I wouldn't run a sock... that said if your tank is lacking nitrates adding a sock may be beneficial as it will trap tonnes of crap that can break down for you...

Fr3eB · 03/17/2018, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

If you don't enjoy daily maintenance I wouldn't run a sock... that said if your tank is lacking nitrates adding a sock may be beneficial as it will trap tonnes of crap that can break down for you...

Thanks!

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JohnnyHildo · 03/17/2018, 07:28 AM

they do keep free floating debris minimized in the tank but like the above poster said, require that you changed them out and wash them regularly. a skimmer isn't going to do much for mechanical filtration but will help you remove excess nutrients and having one allows a less frequent water change schedule.
I personally don't run filter socks anymore but I don't have an issue with occasionally cleaning my sump if detritus starts to collect.

mcgyvr · 03/17/2018, 07:29 AM

No tank needs a filter sock..

The function of a skimmer and a filter sock are totally different..

RCS82 · 03/17/2018, 08:42 AM

No filter sock needed.
I use one occasionally on maintainance day if I'm stirring up a lot of crap but that's it

NanoReefWanabe · 03/17/2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

No tank needs a filter sock..

The function of a skimmer and a filter sock are totally different..

Technically they are the same, both are forms of mechanical filtration, just using two different mechanisms... one media the other air bubbles (fractionation)... both mechanically remove solids though...

rocsec1 · 03/18/2018, 06:44 AM

I use them, but they are kind of a pain. They have to be changed and cleaned enough to make them extra work that sometimes I want to go without, but the pull enough stuff from the water that they really help to polish the water.

mcgyvr · 03/18/2018, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

Technically they are the same, both are forms of mechanical filtration, just using two different mechanisms... one media the other air bubbles (fractionation)... both mechanically remove solids though...

A skimmer is chemical filtration removing compounds dissolved in the water
Filter sock is mechanical..

mako61 · 03/18/2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

If you don't enjoy daily maintenance I wouldn't run a sock... that said if your tank is lacking nitrates adding a sock may be beneficial as it will trap tonnes of crap that can break down for you...

I think that is a myth. If you dont clean your filter socks, then the material collected in the sock will break down and create nutrients. IF there is no filter sock then that same material will break down and create nutrients. If you rinse your socks a couple times a week then the material collected will be removed and not have time to break down.

outssider · 03/18/2018, 02:59 PM

I turn off my return while feeding and leave it off for 1/2 hour or so....I change my socks every 2 weeks and have no nitrate or phosphate....

NanoReefWanabe · 03/18/2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

A skimmer is chemical filtration removing compounds dissolved in the water
Filter sock is mechanical..

I don't see how there is anything chemical going in in a skimmer... tiny bubbles are injected into the water column, particulates and dissolved solids stick in the surface tension of the bubbles, bubbles rise, skimmate is collected in a cup...i would consider that mechanical as there is no chemicals added to the water...

Lanthenum chloride is a chemical compound sometimes used in reef tanks that chemically binds to PO4... that I would consider chemical filtration...

mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

I don't see how there is anything chemical going in in a skimmer....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_fractionation
Its because is a process that happens at the molecular level on dissolved compounds in the water..

RCS82 · 03/19/2018, 06:42 AM

The only thing I hate more than a chemical filtration debate is a nitrate factory debate lol.

Fr3eB · 03/19/2018, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll run the socks and just keep up with the maintenance.

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mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCS82

The only thing I hate more than a chemical filtration debate is a nitrate factory debate lol.

There is really nothing to debate in either topic..
The hard part is making people understand and accept the facts after hearing the BS for so long..

Socks don't make nitrates...

Filter socks are really just fuzzy storage solutions for trapping/keeping the compounds in one localized area..

Bulldog39 · 03/19/2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

There is really nothing to debate in either topic..
The hard part is making people understand and accept the facts after hearing the BS for so long..

Socks don't make nitrates...

Filter socks are really just fuzzy storage solutions for trapping/keeping the compounds in one localized area..

I just upgraded and have to change mine every 2 days. Do you use socks mcgyvr? As always on point with info.

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RCS82 · 03/19/2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

There is really nothing to debate in either topic..
The hard part is making people understand and accept the facts after hearing the BS for so long..

Socks don't make nitrates...

Filter socks are really just fuzzy storage solutions for trapping/keeping the compounds in one localized area..

I completely agree. My fish tank is the nitrate factory. If nitrates aren't being produced in your filter sock, then they will be produced somewhere else in your system.

mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog39

Do you use socks mcgyvr?

Just on my feet to keep from getting blisters..

My tank is sockless as I believe in letting whatever a sock would normal "store" to instead flow through the system around and around to potentially be consumed as food by filter feeders/corals,etc.....

I do have provisions to run a sock if I want during maintenance but I will never run one on a normal basis..

Fr3eB · 03/19/2018, 10:09 AM

I agree with mcgyvr!

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RCS82 · 03/19/2018, 10:21 AM

If you can set up a tray or rack of some sorts to hold some pieces of foam then I would do that. Easy to clean, just pull foam out, squish it in a pail of water a few times and call it good. To me that sure beats removing socks, flipping inside out, running through washing machine, hang to dry etc etc.

mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr3eB

I agree with mcgyvr!

Not if you are going to continue running socks and doing the maintenance as you just stated in your previous post ..

Or did I just convince you to stop the socks?

Fr3eB · 03/19/2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Not if you are going to continue running socks and doing the maintenance as you just stated in your previous post ..

Or did I just convince you to stop the socks?

I think I'll just run with socks on🤣

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mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 10:25 AM

I will state that socks/mechanical filtration CAN be beneficial.. But you need to be constantly cleaning them every few days if that to remove the compounds before they have a chance to break down into nitrate/phosphate/DOCs,etc... Mechanical filtration does nothing after they break down but can remove the particles,etc.. from the tank before they do..

To me the benefit isn't worth the maintenance and I think there is benefit in the filter feeding aspect of it..

mcgyvr · 03/19/2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr3eB

I think I'll just run with socks on🤣

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Put down the pipe son..put it down

Or are we talking about foot protection now?

03/16/2018, 11:38 PM	#1
Fr3eB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 25	Filter Sock Quick question! Is it necessary to install a filter sock in the sump/refugium if you already running a protein skimmer? Opinions are greatly appreciated

03/17/2018, 07:28 AM	#4
JohnnyHildo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 669	they do keep free floating debris minimized in the tank but like the above poster said, require that you changed them out and wash them regularly. a skimmer isn't going to do much for mechanical filtration but will help you remove excess nutrients and having one allows a less frequent water change schedule. I personally don't run filter socks anymore but I don't have an issue with occasionally cleaning my sump if detritus starts to collect. __________________ 120G Standard - 40G Sump. Apex - DOS - ATI Current Tank Info: Acros - Zoas - Palys

03/17/2018, 07:29 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	No tank needs a filter sock.. The function of a skimmer and a filter sock are totally different.. __________________ Who me?

03/17/2018, 08:42 AM	#6
RCS82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Posts: 273	No filter sock needed. I use one occasionally on maintainance day if I'm stirring up a lot of crap but that's it __________________ After about a 16 year break from fish keeping, Wow, how things have changed. Current Tank Info: 90g, mixed reef, I hope haha

03/19/2018, 06:42 AM	#14
RCS82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Posts: 273	The only thing I hate more than a chemical filtration debate is a nitrate factory debate lol. __________________ After about a 16 year break from fish keeping, Wow, how things have changed. Current Tank Info: 90g, mixed reef, I hope haha

03/17/2018, 02:45 AM	#2
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	If you don't enjoy daily maintenance I wouldn't run a sock... that said if your tank is lacking nitrates adding a sock may be beneficial as it will trap tonnes of crap that can break down for you...

03/18/2018, 06:44 AM	#8
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	I use them, but they are kind of a pain. They have to be changed and cleaned enough to make them extra work that sometimes I want to go without, but the pull enough stuff from the water that they really help to polish the water.

03/18/2018, 02:59 PM	#11
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	I turn off my return while feeding and leave it off for 1/2 hour or so....I change my socks every 2 weeks and have no nitrate or phosphate....

03/19/2018, 07:16 AM	#15
Fr3eB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 25	Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll run the socks and just keep up with the maintenance. Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

03/19/2018, 10:09 AM	#20
Fr3eB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 25	I agree with mcgyvr! Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

03/19/2018, 10:21 AM	#21
RCS82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Posts: 273	If you can set up a tray or rack of some sorts to hold some pieces of foam then I would do that. Easy to clean, just pull foam out, squish it in a pail of water a few times and call it good. To me that sure beats removing socks, flipping inside out, running through washing machine, hang to dry etc etc. __________________ After about a 16 year break from fish keeping, Wow, how things have changed. Current Tank Info: 90g, mixed reef, I hope haha

03/19/2018, 10:25 AM	#24
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I will state that socks/mechanical filtration CAN be beneficial.. But you need to be constantly cleaning them every few days if that to remove the compounds before they have a chance to break down into nitrate/phosphate/DOCs,etc... Mechanical filtration does nothing after they break down but can remove the particles,etc.. from the tank before they do.. To me the benefit isn't worth the maintenance and I think there is benefit in the filter feeding aspect of it.. __________________ Who me?