How often to change filter socks

[MrChris]

So I have been changing my filter socks every 2-3 days. Is this too often?
How long would it take solids stuck in the sock to start breaking down and affect the water chemistry?

 

[Zotch]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...nging-filter-socks-brstv-investigates.303140/

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I have been changing my filter socks every 2-3 days. Is this too often?
How long would it take solids stuck in the sock to start breaking down and affect the water chemistry?

I do approximately the same thing. I change mine out twice a week. Sunday and wednesday. Bulk Reef Supply did an investigation on how often you should replace your filter socks, and they found that twice a week had the biggest impact on nutrient levels.

 

[Dartfrog1]

I change mine once a week!

 

[AlexG]

I only use filter socks on occasion for a few days before they are removed. Most of the time my system runs without filter socks.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I was changing mine out once a week but just took Filter sock offline last week.

 

[mamgm2]

I change mine twice a week also

 

[AdamNC]

I change mine every few days when it starts to overflow, 200 micron socks.

 

[MrChris]

How did you guys determine you could get away without any mechanical filtration?

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I also run biop, carbon and gfo in reactors.

 

[falconut]

I change mine when they start overflowing, usually a week to a week & a half. Maybe I should consider changing more frequently.

 

[MrChris]

I also run biop, carbon and gfo in reactors.

What is biop?

 

[Greenstreet.1]

What is biop?

Sorry. Biopellets

 

[Tautog]

Never use them

 

[SPR1968]

I change mine around every 3 days and have a reminder set up on Apex because the days just fly by!

I can also tell when they need changing from the sound of the overflowing water.

 

[Jim Fox]

I change my socks about every 3-4 days... about the same time my skimmer cup needs emptying and cleaning.

 

[Reefltx]

When it overflows, is when I change mines out. How often varies, depending on how much waste I’m feeding.

 

[Jerett83]

200 micron felt socks. Change them every two days when they start to overflow.

 

[doughboy]

you change it as needed.
you can start off changing twice maybe 3x a week, and over time, can become less frequent.
I started off having to change twice a week using diy 4" sock.
So I started making oversized sock that fits on the 4" ring so I can change once a week.
now I am back to regular sized 4" sock and change once a week. the oversized sock can last two weeks now and I'll use when I am gone for 1-2 weeks.

 

[JBKReef]

I was changing mine ever 3 days, I use a trigger sump and you can hear water splashing down if the sock gets too full. That being said I've started to remove my socks due to the system running too clean. I have a small bio mass, 2 blennies and 2 clowns in a 93 cube, and my nitrates were near zero and the coral was suffering from it. Since letter the socks sit longer or not using one at all I'm seeing better grown and coloration. I would say be careful you're not over filtering and keep an eye on your nutrients/corals to know what cycle you should be on.