Getting rid of filter sock?

[aus1230]

Just received my Innovative Marine 40 gallon AIO and remember reading that some people ditch the socks and just run two media baskets on each end. Anyone do this successfully without building too much detritus in the rear chamber over time or any other issues I should be wary of?

 

[tbrown]

A lot of us in general (not just IM tanks) have removed our filter socks and use filter cups with PolyFil or filter floss instead. There are several online stores that sell 3D printed cups.

Here's one I'm working on designing one for another tank right now:

 

[VintageReefer]

I don’t use socks or any mechanical filtration. Detritus that enters the sump becomes mulm, which is inert and doesn’t contribute to nutrient issues. It does benefit the tank by housing tons of beneficial bacterias and is a part of natural reef filtration in the wild. I have 1/2” - 3/4” of mulm in two chambers of my sump, and it all started as detritus

 

[Tahoe61]

I don't use socks continuely, just after a water change. I siphon detritus out during a water change. A media basket is a better alternative.

 

[Reef.]

Don’t be in a rush to drop the socks, they filter out small particles much better than floss, unless you need the space for other stuff or don’t want to deal with cleaning socks, floss is not necessarily better, it might be more convenient as it is disposable but for efficiency the socks take it.

 

[revenant]

Alright I am so fed up with socks.. I am getting filter cups and floss, finally!