Filter socks and sps

[Diesel]

Awesome comments Y'all.
Now the BIG question is what the Red and Whitesox thinking about this all??!!??

 

[rossco]

Mine are washed twice in a front loader. First time with bleach added, second time nothing added. I assume there is probably residual soap from the preceding wash during the bleach wash, which is why they get a second full cycle with nothing added just to make sure.

If all the detritus that doesn't get filtered out as a result of going sockless does not get removed somehow from wherever it settles, it WILL decompose.

I am curious to see if those going sockless find the need to employ additional nutrient reduction methods like carbon dosing and / or phosphate removal. I have undetectable nitrates (test kit) and phosphates (Hanna) and do not use additional nutrient reduction methods although I have been told by my friends that I am kind of stingy with feeding. :wink:

 

[olaf]

I got a mini washing machine also known as a portable washing machine just for my socks and I wash them with 35% peroxide. Bright white and no worry of residue from bleach or soap.
Recently I came up with a disposable filter sock with a smaller micron size. Regular socks are 100 micron, these are 50-60 micron.

 

[johnanddawn]

If all the detritus that doesn't get filtered out as a result of going sockless does not get removed somehow from wherever it settles, it WILL decompose.

I am curious to see if those going sockless find the need to employ additional nutrient reduction methods like carbon dosing and / or phosphate removal.

I don't use socks and never have, too lazy I guess.
I don't use gfo or dose vodka, but I do run a small amount of carbon
My system is very old and usually very stable.
My water is crystal clear, but I couldn't tell you if I have nitrates or phosphates because I have never tested for them. I never really understood the need to if your doing regular water changes and good husbandry, but that's my opinion.
I feed a ton, but I also have a bare bottom system, and a very large sump in the basement with a settling area for detritus that I can simply vacuum as I change water. And my skimmer catches everything that doesn't settle out. I also have a large cryptic fuge area in my sump that I assume keeps things biologically stable.

I think do what works for you, but the simpler the better as your more likely to do it over the long run if it isn't a chore.

 

[evo187]

I never trusted the washing machine for washing my socks or bleach. I hand wash mine in the sink and soak in hydrogen peroxide. Well I used to, I quit using them and tank has never been better. Water isn't as clear but no more nitrate factory or fussing with them.

 

[watchguy123]

I have always used a 7 inch sock because it was recommended when I started. It certainly keeps my sump clean. Intuitively, it seems to collect a lot of detritus but I've never tried without it.

I don't wash them though. I buy a box of 50 at a cost of $5 for each sock ($260 annually). Perhaps I'm wasteful but I'm also lazy and those things look nasty. It's kinda like diapers, I'd rather buy disposables than wash poopy ones. But I am impressed by the diligence of those that have a cleaning routine for their socks

 

[robby2782]

I have always used a 7 inch sock because it was recommended when I started. It certainly keeps my sump clean. Intuitively, it seems to collect a lot of detritus but I've never tried without it.

I don't wash them though. I buy a box of 50 at a cost of $5 for each sock ($260 annually). Perhaps I'm wasteful but I'm also lazy and those things look nasty. It's kinda like diapers, I'd rather buy disposables than wash poopy ones. But I am impressed by the diligence of those that have a cleaning routine for their socks

You can ship the dirty ones to me if you want. Lol

 

[Jimbo]

I have always used a 7 inch sock because it was recommended when I started. It certainly keeps my sump clean. Intuitively, it seems to collect a lot of detritus but I've never tried without it.

I don't wash them though. I buy a box of 50 at a cost of $5 for each sock ($260 annually). Perhaps I'm wasteful but I'm also lazy and those things look nasty. It's kinda like diapers, I'd rather buy disposables than wash poopy ones. But I am impressed by the diligence of those that have a cleaning routine for their socks

You should have a dirty sock sale at the end of the year ;)

 

[Tek]

I never used socks for over 10 years until 2014. No difference in coral growth or parameter issues but my sump no longer collects detritus and my skimmer cup does not get gunked up as fast. Water looks excellent for not running carbon and rarely doing water changes.

I place dirty socks into a bucket until I run out and wash them all in the washer on very soiled along with a cup of VINEGAR. Everything comes off of them and are white and ready to use. I don't even need to let them dry before use. I also suspect the vinegar helps to clean out my 25 years old washer.

 

[eagle]

I run them on steam sanitize cycle in a frontloader. Never had any issues.

 

[Rob&Gab]

with that all and said can we see some pictures of the peoples tanks that use them and dont use them with a little bit of info behind your tank? also those that do rinse them.




we too use filter sock's and never rinse them . we never ever reuse them , we switch out every week and toss the old ones away. looks like im gonna be saving them and rinsing them for now on. we use the E-shopps filter socks rectangle ones 7" . there 11-14$ a piece and we must have bought a few hundred over the past 2 years. we run threw 3 socks a week. $$ adds up. but we have never ran without a filtersock. so dont know if there would be a difference. we have things pretty down packed and dont think we would change it.

but curious tooo see other tanks that do and dont use socks and those who have switched from using all the time to once and a while.

looking forward to this!

 

[ZIGGY63]

I find this an interesting topic, and it has made me change my cleaning ways. I still use a washing machine and have switched to more peroxide and just a few drops of bleach.
one reason for changing is that back in the day; prior to us going to the field we would sanitize a 500 gallon water source with a capful of bleach. the process would just take a couple of times. so seeing as I don't have a 500 gallon washing machine, I will stick with the drop method.

 

[reefndude]

I stick one on for a couple of days every month, when I blow off my rocks. Other than that I don't use one.

4-5 inch sand bed in dt, same in fuge. Use algae scrubber, carbon, and 1/4 recommended amount of gfo.
Considering pulling gfo.