Filter socks, are garbage. What do you think?

[MDSReefing]

I have the water box 20 AIO kit, and obviously an AIO doesn’t give your imagination and wallet much room to wiggle when it comes to sump setups. What you buy is what you get (exactly why I chose this system)

Well my original thought process has come back to bite me. I have been cycling the tank right at 3 weeks now, and for the first 2 weeks I used the given filter sock (225 micron) that came with the kit. I noticed the sump starting to back up very little, so I decided to purchase two more for rotation.

On the 4th I removed the first sock, gave it a good bleach bath, a good rinsing and wringing in the washer. it’s been drying out in the sun in a window for 5 days now. (I don’t have declorinator, is that a big deal?) I installed the brand new filter sock and let it ride Same day.

yesterday, the 8th, I noticed my sump intake backing up AGAIN, with the filter sock being the culprit covered in real slimy brown film. I thought this can be, that was way too fast. 4 days? So I did the same process as before. Switch out the older version with yet another brand new filter socK.



To my amazement, I walked into my home office after my day of in office work to find ANOTHER clogged filter sock, This time it was almost a disaster.

my sump was almost ran dry, with the filtration protruding and my return pump almost completely breached, however my intake as well as the rest of the aquarium water level was sitting at the top of my rimless tank, telling me “oh yeah, you almost flooded your office because of a filter sock hancho” and I can’t believe this to be the case.

i have no large living organisms other then the bacteria and copepods, and my substrate is nice and calm with no cloudiness whatsoever. How is it I have this much film with no contaminates?What’s the deal here folks?! Any help would be appreciated. Also, any alternative routes that are better then filter socks would also be appreciated.

 

[YankeeTankee]

You might try a larger micron size sock or some floss. Or switch to a roller so it moves itself and does not clog.

Lots of ppl with successful tanks that are sock less, just a matter of having other filtration methods in place.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Sounds like the socks micron level is a little to good, why it clogs easily.

 

[Wolf89]

Is it, or is it not doing its job though?

 

[Sailfin11]

Yep, filter socks can suck sometimes! I still use them because I don't want sediment to settle in my sump. Some people have had better luck with mesh filter socks (link attached) instead of felt ones, but I'm not sure if these would work with your Waterbox.

 

[Mical]

Let tank cycle without socks.

 

[MDSReefing]

@YankeeTankee @Flippers4pups

A roller? This is my First time hearing this but sounds interesting lol


I was thinking the same thing, however I was wondering how is it my first sock (same micron level) lasted two weeks but these two new ones are getting knocked out so quickly. Is there any reason this may be?

thanks for the replies! I appreciate the input.

 

[YankeeTankee]

Sure, they are kinda pricey so I might just try the larger micron socks first, change q3-4 days.

If you are just starting, cycling, yea you prolly dont need socks right now, although pulling some dust/crap out for a few days is not a bad idea.

 

[MDSReefing]

Let tank cycle without socks.

I let it ride for 2 days without a sock and it was a mess in there. Would it be better to let that sediment settle in the substrate?

 

[Flippers4pups]

@YankeeTankee @Flippers4pups

A roller? This is my First time hearing this but sounds interesting lol


I was thinking the same thing, however I was wondering how is it my first sock (same micron level) lasted two weeks but these two new ones are getting knocked out so quickly. Is there any reason this may be?

thanks for the replies! I appreciate the input.

Well the tanks fairly new and it's possible that the sock is getting loaded with bacteria causing it to clog. You could just not run one for a while till the tank matures a little.

 

[MDSReefing]

Yep, filter socks can suck sometimes! I still use them because I don't want sediment to settle in my sump. Some people have had better luck with mesh filter socks (link attached) instead of felt ones, but I'm not sure if these would work with your Waterbox.

PERFECT! I appreciate that. Mesh seems much more efficient. Esspecially being that I am mainly interested in keeping LPS softies and some species of LPS and inverts in this tank. There will be some food, but not enough to need that minuscule level of filtering. (At least I think)

 

[MDSReefing]

Well the tanks fairly new and it's possible that the sock is getting loaded with bacteria causing it to clog. You could just not run one for a while till the tank matures a little.

How long would you recommend?

 

[Flippers4pups]

How long would you recommend?

Each tank is different. Maybe a month?

 

[Mical]

I don't run socks at all anymore. I have chaeto in my first chamber and any sediment gets trapped there. I harvest chaeto about every other month and vac out that chamber of sump at the same time. Socks were just a PITA

 

[MDSReefing]

Is it, or is it not doing its job though?

It’s doing its job very well. However there is such thing as doing a job TOO well. Overachievers are amazing people, and I give them Kudos, however they also tend to be a bit on the annoying side. Just like my current situation.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sock is clogging up quickly and is retaining substance that would otherwise reach the system and pumps. I switched to Mesh style which is easy to clean by hand

 

[MDSReefing]

Each tank is different. Maybe a month?

I’ll giver a shot and see what happens. I don’t think my live rock and copepods will be too upset at the lack of vis ‍ Lol thanks for the help

 

[GregDaKeg]

PERFECT! I appreciate that. Mesh seems much more efficient. Esspecially being that I am mainly interested in keeping LPS softies and some species of LPS and inverts in this tank. There will be some food, but not enough to need that minuscule level of filtering. (At least I think)

Clean those socks every two days

 

[MDSReefing]

Sock is clogging up quickly and is retaining substance that would otherwise reach the system and pumps. I switched to Mesh style which is easy to clean by hand

I’m just curious as to what that substance is in a cycling tank and how is it happening so quickly (Other then bacteria that was previously mention)

i am most definitely interested in mesh. However this sock size is unique, 2.75”x10”

 

[MDSReefing]

I don't run socks at all anymore. I have chaeto in my first chamber and any sediment gets trapped there. I harvest chaeto about every other month and vac out that chamber of sump at the same time. Socks were just a PITA

I like this idea, seem the more natural route. Where do you harvest chaeto?