4" filter socks

[Alchameth]

So what options are out there for a 4" filter sock that doesn't run $10+ each or isn't complete garbage? This sump takes 4, so need 12-16 total... I prefer 300 micron, but most felt ones I seem to find are in the 200-225 range. The need to fit a Waterbox sump, and so far I've tried the following

Aquatic Experts 200 micron 8.5 in and 10.5 in- mixed results. 1st order they didn't fit. It has to do with the way they stich the side seam and the felt to the ring. Ordered a 2nd batch and could get them in, snug fit and have to put the seam side in first then the far side, but the 2nd batch stitching started coming loose after about 3 trips through the wash (front load, gentle cycle, quick wash with no spin X 2 each wash).

Eshopps 4" 300 micron 10.5 in - Liked better, like the OEM socks that came with it, looks like melt/crimp ring and felt but the rings are every so slightly too large to fit right. Not sure if I got an odd batch or if theirs really is about 1/8" too large to fit.

Encompass All 200 micron 9.5 in - I had high hopes until I took one out of the bag, fibers fall off the 'felt' and after one trip through the wash they were falling apart.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Making your own from felt/fabric mesh?

 

[don_chuwish]

I'm currently on the same search. I've had the Aquatic Experts stitched ones for years now and the felt is finally getting too pilled up. Seams have stayed solid through many many washings. Interesting to see that now they have welded seam options too. Not sure which is better.
But really what got me looking for alternatives is that I bought 3 of some unknown brand at the LFS recently. They'd been sitting on the shelf for years and I finally noticed that the felt looked like much higher quality than any others I'd seen. Unfortunately the plastic rings have a different shape and don't fit as nicely in my sump. Still love the felt though so hoping to find something similar quality.

 

[TMC1313]

I ordered these in an 8 pack. Around $5 a piece.
Amazon product

 

[TMC1313]

I ordered these in an 8 pack. Around $5 a piece. They are the 100 micron, but may come in your preferred 300 micron.
Amazon product

 

[don_chuwish]

Yeah those are the 8" version of what I've bought in the past. They are certainly good enough. Wanting to try something different I put in an order for these:

AquaticHI 8 Pack Felt Filter Socks, 200 Micron, 4 Inch Ring by 14 Inch

Hope they don't disappoint!

 

[codycolina707]

So what options are out there for a 4" filter sock that doesn't run $10+ each or isn't complete garbage? This sump takes 4, so need 12-16 total... I prefer 300 micron, but most felt ones I seem to find are in the 200-225 range. The need to fit a Waterbox sump, and so far I've tried the following

Aquatic Experts 200 micron 8.5 in and 10.5 in- mixed results. 1st order they didn't fit. It has to do with the way they stich the side seam and the felt to the ring. Ordered a 2nd batch and could get them in, snug fit and have to put the seam side in first then the far side, but the 2nd batch stitching started coming loose after about 3 trips through the wash (front load, gentle cycle, quick wash with no spin X 2 each wash).

Eshopps 4" 300 micron 10.5 in - Liked better, like the OEM socks that came with it, looks like melt/crimp ring and felt but the rings are every so slightly too large to fit right. Not sure if I got an odd batch or if theirs really is about 1/8" too large to fit.

Encompass All 200 micron 9.5 in - I had high hopes until I took one out of the bag, fibers fall off the 'felt' and after one trip through the wash they were falling apart.

I'd say go to a filter roller i just did a week ago so glad I never have to deal with cleaning socks every 3 days

 

[don_chuwish]

I'd say go to a filter roller i just did a week ago so glad I never have to deal with cleaning socks every 3 days

I've considered it but I'm not so crazy about the idea of just throwing away the roller media. Plus I'd have to completely rework my sump and drains. I change the socks about every weekend.

 

[Hydrored]

I did the opposite and got rid of a filter roller, takes less than 5 mins to swap out socks. Clarisea would roll off some times, changing the rolls under a tank is a nightmare. I keep 36 socks and just go through them all and wash them at once. In the future when I have a fish room with all the access needed I’ll revisit a roller setup

 

[don_chuwish]

The AquaticHI socks arrived. The fabric is nothing special - not bad, just not impressive. But the stitching is FANTASTIC. I've tried 2-3 other sources for filter socks and they all came with frayed stitching that I had to tie off and trim to prevent it from unravelling. These look really solid and tidy. Running them through a hot water wash right now. But here’s how they looked fresh out of the bag:

 

[SR Reefing]

I have like hundreds of socks...changing them is easy....hard part is washing these. U need to turn it inside out and rinse 2-3 times to wash off the bleach, then turn it back using a separate washing machine.

This is just too much work.....if I didn't invest in this many socks and a dedicated filter socks filter chamber....I would do roller filter.

 

[SR Reefing]

And this is a month worth of socks I need to turn inside out and wash them.....I mean...it takes a long time to turn it inside out...

 

[don_chuwish]

I don't turn mine inside out. I used to, then I tried NOT doing it and there was no real difference in the results. Now I just dump them in the washer, add a little bit of OxyClean, set the washer to a full regular cycle, hot water, pre-wash, extra rinse, and add a little bleach to the dispenser. 90 minutes later they come out clean. I only have 3 rotations worth - so freshly washed ones will sit in the cupboard for about 2 weeks before going back in the sump. Plenty of time for any remaining bleach to disappear. But even fresh out of the washer there is no smell of bleach.

 

[SR Reefing]

I don't turn mine inside out. I used to, then I tried NOT doing it and there was no real difference in the results. Now I just dump them in the washer, add a little bit of OxyClean, set the washer to a full regular cycle, hot water, pre-wash, extra rinse, and add a little bleach to the dispenser. 90 minutes later they come out clean. I only have 3 rotations worth - so freshly washed ones will sit in the cupboard for about 2 weeks before going back in the sump. Plenty of time for any remaining bleach to disappear. But even fresh out of the washer there is no smell of bleach.

Man....that will really save some time. Let me do it this run.......hands getting tired turning it inside out with this many socks.

 

[don_chuwish]

Man....that will really save some time. Let me do it this run.......hands getting tired turning it inside out with this many socks.

Yeah, I feel like it's hard on the fabric too.

Well I just tried the new socks in the sump and I may change my mind - something about the fabric is weird. It seems to repel water - doesn't get wet. I'm gonna wash them again and see if that improves.