So I've been seeing more and more people not using filter socks in their sumps. What are your thoughts?
To use filter socks or not use them?
- Thread starter ZapataInc
- Start date
I use a filter sock in my IM 40g AIO and I switch it out with a clean one everytime I do a water change.
The reasoning I see people not using them is that they have some CUC in the sump along with copepods that will take care of most of the debris and then the skimmer will take care of the rest.
Got rid of socks and never looking back. Hated cleaning them.
Switched to cups and use polyfill. Works great
Switched to cups and use polyfill. Works great
What's a filter sock? Lol jk, don't use them
Are use them and have to clean mine about once a week. I only do a water change every 3 to 4 weeks. It’s not that bad except for I only have one sock so I have to rinse it out immediately and put it back in I can’t just switch it and wash them all at the end of the month or whatever.
I use them and anyone who doesn't is crazy and wrong.
Just kidding of course, there are a lot of opinions regarding filter socks but I do still use them and change them out regularly. The biggest drawback I hear is that they can turn in to "nitrate factories." I've never had the issue and just keep on using them. If I'm honest, 20% of the time they get clogged so I'm, in effect, not using them but I usually get around to swapping them out before they overflow.
Just kidding of course, there are a lot of opinions regarding filter socks but I do still use them and change them out regularly. The biggest drawback I hear is that they can turn in to "nitrate factories." I've never had the issue and just keep on using them. If I'm honest, 20% of the time they get clogged so I'm, in effect, not using them but I usually get around to swapping them out before they overflow.
Mine usually gets clogged after one week. But I do weekly sock/skimmer cleaning to avoid issues. Also my nitrates are at 2ppm and everything looks well fed/happy
Flow doesn't seem to slow down like dirty socks do.
Roller mat i love it 4 months no cleaning socks
Yea, these type threads come up from time to time.
I think socks can be useful from time to time but not something I have in place very often. In new systems some type of filtration is good if kept up with. But after nine months to a year when the system is more mature I find they're best used for polishing the water occasionally. Like when moving the rock work around or when you know you're going to be stirring things up.
I think socks can be useful from time to time but not something I have in place very often. In new systems some type of filtration is good if kept up with. But after nine months to a year when the system is more mature I find they're best used for polishing the water occasionally. Like when moving the rock work around or when you know you're going to be stirring things up.
I'm surprised at how disgusting my skimmer cup is (almost black) considering I'm swapping out the filter floss every few days that is a deep brown with lots of little chunks in it.
I think the combo is one major factor in my nitrates being 0.25ppm, but as @anit77 says, mine is certainly a new tank. I plan on throwing socks of carbon in the cups from time to time, but I'm not sure if I'll ever remove the floss completely considering how much my kids love to feed the tank.
I think the combo is one major factor in my nitrates being 0.25ppm, but as @anit77 says, mine is certainly a new tank. I plan on throwing socks of carbon in the cups from time to time, but I'm not sure if I'll ever remove the floss completely considering how much my kids love to feed the tank.
