Filter sock needed?

[Lil' RegalReefster]

Hi I wanted to expand my refugium and I was wondering whether I should keep my filter socks. Are they really needed? if so should I use a different filtering method?

 

[mta_morrow]

Filter socks are really a personal preference. Cloth will definitely help catch the finest detritus. Nylon mesh the bigger stuff. Perhaps run them till the fuge is established the remove and see what builds up in the fuge.

 

[Jvesche20]

Hi I wanted to expand my refugium and I was wondering whether I should keep my filter socks. Are they really needed? if so should I use a different filtering method?

I do not use them. Too much of a pain to keep having to clean every few days. I just keep a bunch of live rock in the sump where the water drains into. I also use a skimmer

 

[Mr Fishface]

I use them. Are they needed? Not really but it helps to keep my water more clear. I've done a tank without just fine too but I'm trying to work on really keeping my tank at lower nutrients and i think they help there.

 

[Dana Riddle]

I use them and it seems to reduce the amount of material removed by the skimmer. Without, there is a lot of crud removed by the skimmer. With, the skimmate collected looks like a weak tea.

 

[Lil' RegalReefster]

Would filter floss work just as good? If so how can i hold it up to prevent it from falling into the tank

 

[mta_morrow]

Would filter floss work just as good? If so how can i hold it up to prevent it from falling into the tank

Go to BRS or marine depot and search for filter cups.

 

[lapin]

I use them. They are easy to change. They keep my sump clean so I dont have to get down there and vac all the crud out. I would worry about how fast floss can clog.

 

[BeejReef]

Depends on what you prefer doing.. changing socks or siphoning sump :)
My fuge isn't very high flow and is full of chaeto, so most crud tends to be filtered by the algae or settle in the bottom of that compartment. A little settles out in the return chamber. Socks once a week or shop vac every month or three. Pick your poison. I'd have to guess that the regular sock maintenance would be a little more stable.