Filter sock causing GHA??

[Sdoutreefer]

In the past month or so I started using a filter sock. It helped with filtering out some of the detritus and what not. But it seems that ever since using a filter sock my GHA problem has gotten worse. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[NanaReefer]

How often are you cleaning your socks?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Once a week

 

[CaliO]

I would rinse out the sock every day if you can... In a weeks time things already have converted into nitrates.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Gotta watch your nutrient level build up with those, they are just like running a filter, they can collect and start problems. Check your Trates and Phosphates.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Thanks all for the replies. I have been sockless for 3 days now.

As far as testing for nutrients, I got my trates tested at my LFS the day before I decided to go sockless, and were near 0. As far as phosphates go, I don't have a good tester. I do have a salifert test kit, but am trying to get my hands on a hannah checker. Hopefully Santa brings me one haha. I'm going to go ahead and point the finger at phosphates. My tank is relatively young (only about a year old) and think my rock could be leaching phosphates still. I've had an algae problem almost since my tank has been running. I battled byropsis and won... thankfully.

I was out of town during the summer and had someone looking after my tank. Unfortunately, my tank turned down hill. It's now looking A TON better but am having a GHA problem..

 

[Small triggers]

Alot of times your nitrates will be 0 if your having an algae issue...so that's kind of a false negative...the algae uses them up...
I prefer filter socks because I hate trying to siphon out of my sump for my water ....

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Alot of times your nitrates will be 0 if your having an algae issue...so that's kind of a false negative...the algae uses them up...
I prefer filter socks because I hate trying to siphon out of my sump for my water ....

Yeah I know that. I do have a refugium with chaeto. I did not have the chaeto when I was out of town. Soo I think the algae in my display had established itself while I couldn't take care of it.