Is a filter sock necessary

[Michael v]

I was at my lfs and the owner told me I didn’t really need to have a filter sock in my system. My tank was started last November and my bio load is lite only four fish and so invertebrates. I had a filter sock in for a while but my sump is kinda lacking in space with my protein skimmer. For the last month I’ve gone without a sock and the tank seems clear. My perimeters are good. I thought about making one of those rotor tube filters. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Peace River]

I was at my lfs and the owner told me I didn’t really need to have a filter sock in my system. My tank was started last November and my bio load is lite only four fish and so invertebrates. I had a filter sock in for a while but my sump is kinda lacking in space with my protein skimmer. For the last month I’ve gone without a sock and the tank seems clear. My perimeters are good. I thought about making one of those rotor tube filters. Any thoughts or suggestions?

There are many differing perspectives on this question. Filter socks provide mechanical filtration to remove small particulates that are suspended in the water column which can be helpful for clarifying and polishing the water, however the socks will also filter out small microorganisms that can be beneficial to your fish and corals. One approach is to use a filter mesh or a filter media basket and then only use the filter socks when you want the extra water clarification. Good luck!

 

[Michael v]

There are many differing perspectives on this question. Filter socks provide mechanical filtration to remove small particulates that are suspended in the water column which can be helpful for clarifying and polishing the water, however the socks will also filter out small microorganisms that can be beneficial to your fish and corals. One approach is to use a filter mesh or a filter media basket and then only use the filter socks when you want the extra water clarification. Good luck!

Thank you

 

[Peach02]

They are handy to catch leftover food and some small floating particles,

 

[Hemmdog]

I don’t use them in any of my tanks. I did for awhile, didn’t notice any difference with using them. It’s much easier to not use them.

 

[PYRU]

If you have a first chamber setup to catch particles or a fuge them I say no. I've ran no socks and just clean my little chamber out 1x a week or so. Triton uses a big fuge with no socks before your skimmer

I think I'm about to rig me up a ghetto cereal container with holes drilled to not do socks until I can figure out something more elegant. Just clean to container out periodically

 

[Billdogg]

I don’t use them in any of my tanks. I did for awhile, didn’t notice any difference with using them. It’s much easier to not use them.

^^^What he said^^^

I haven't used filter socks/floss for years. I got tired of cleaning them so I just stopped. My tank seems to be doing ok anyway.

 

[jd371]

I used them then went sockless for a little while, but the skimmer and reactor pump where getting dirtier much quicker and needed to be cleaned sooner so I switched to nylon mesh socks. The mesh socks are much easier to clean, just a quick rinse under the sink is all it takes.