Filter socks gone...now what?

[Timrpn]

Ok, So i had a very bad habit of not changing my filter socks, also every 2 weeks. I don't have a refugium. I run Protein skimmer, bio pellets and GFO to keep nutrients down, and phosphates are always reading high. So today I went to t he dollar store and bought some hard plastic solo cups. They fit perfect in the filter sock compartment. I drilled some holes on the bottom and sides to allow water to escape obviously. I then put some bio balls in the cups to eliminate any sound and by golly, it is near silent.

I am wondering what should be my next step? Should I get some chateo and start a refugium since I don't have the socks anymore? Or just leave it?

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

For keeping nitrates and phosphates down, I've had the best luck with a fuge. Otherwise, I like carbon dosing with vinegar. I never noticed much of a drop in those from using filter socks, but I still use them just to catch floating stuff.