Is there an easy mode filter sock maintenance?

[Ben Pedersen]

I suggest using filter socks only when necessary—such as during substrate cleaning or other processes that stir up a lot of particulate. Afterward, remove the socks and clean them so they’re ready for the next use.

Under normal circumstances, run a small pump in your sump to keep particulate suspended in the water column, allowing your skimmer to remove it.

As convenient as disposable filter media can be, I have a hard time sending it to a landfill—especially since cleaning a sock isn’t difficult. A simple bleach soak followed by a wash with an extra rinse cycle is all it takes.

 

[KrisReef]

On my 330.7 I use 200 micron mesh socks. They are really easy to clean with a garden hose and I have a tub in the basement with a hose attachment for winter. Spray then inside out spray again, then right side out and done. Hang dry no bleach or any other sanitizer used.
I used felt socks for 5 or 6 years and always washed them in the clothes washer with no issues. Turn inside out, wash with a splash of bleach, turn right side out and run and extra rinse cycle amd hang dry.
I won't use felt socks again, they're too much hassle.
I used reef diapers in a smaller tank once and they were great but I fill a two seven inches socks every 3 days so 4 inch diapers would cost too much.
I'd love to add a reefmat 1200 but just don't feel like crawling around to do the plumbing.

I second plastic mesh socks. I use them on my fish tank and rarely clean them. They are self cleaning, once a year is enough.

An example because they are not like fabric socks-

7" x 16" Mesh Filter Bag w/ External Ring - 200 Micron

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[mook1178]

I use 100 micron filter bags with draw strings, rinse them in my shower, and stick them back in. Takes all of 5 minutes.

 

[skey44]

preface: I like my fairly ultra simple big tank. UV and ATS. It is a waterbox 230.6, and it does have two 7" filter socks. I could take them out and not worry about it, and I know plenty of people who do this....

But, I like the idea of a sock or a filter mat.

So the title is the question, is there an easy filter sock maintenance mode? I can't just throw them in the washer because the salt will eventually tear up the washing machine. That just isn't acceptable.

But standing out in the yard, with a hose, blasting out all of the debry sucks.

So is my "EZ Mode" a new filter roller for this tank, or is there an answer to deal with filter socks reasonably easily, that doesn't involve just buying more and more and more. The WB filter socks are NOT cheap, and there is no cheap alternative.

I have enjoyed my 7” filter cups I got from my LFS with 5lb poly-fil filter floss purchased on Amazon. Remove, discard, replace about every two weeks. Also a good place for passive carbon and phosphate removal method.

 

[exnisstech]

I have enjoyed my 7” filter cups I got from my LFS with 5lb poly-fil filter floss purchased on Amazon. Remove, discard, replace about every two weeks. Also a good place for passive carbon and phosphate removal method.

These would be perfect for my 330 which is mostly softies. My socks spend more time clogged and overflowing than they do clean which works fine in this tank. It would be much easier to toss floss in when needed and no more sock washing.
Heck this is the only tank I clean socks in so I'm not sure why I didn't think of it. no more dirty socks.

 

[nessig]

preface: I like my fairly ultra simple big tank. UV and ATS. It is a waterbox 230.6, and it does have two 7" filter socks. I could take them out and not worry about it, and I know plenty of people who do this....

But, I like the idea of a sock or a filter mat.

So the title is the question, is there an easy filter sock maintenance mode? I can't just throw them in the washer because the salt will eventually tear up the washing machine. That just isn't acceptable.

But standing out in the yard, with a hose, blasting out all of the debry sucks.

So is my "EZ Mode" a new filter roller for this tank, or is there an answer to deal with filter socks reasonably easily, that doesn't involve just buying more and more and more. The WB filter socks are NOT cheap, and there is no cheap alternative.

 

[nessig]

preface: I like my fairly ultra simple big tank. UV and ATS. It is a waterbox 230.6, and it does have two 7" filter socks. I could take them out and not worry about it, and I know plenty of people who do this....

But, I like the idea of a sock or a filter mat.

So the title is the question, is there an easy filter sock maintenance mode? I can't just throw them in the washer because the salt will eventually tear up the washing machine. That just isn't acceptable.

But standing out in the yard, with a hose, blasting out all of the debry sucks.

So is my "EZ Mode" a new filter roller for this tank, or is there an answer to deal with filter socks reasonably easily, that doesn't involve just buying more and more and more. The WB filter socks are NOT cheap, and there is no cheap alternative.

I'd get a Red Sea reefmat 1200, they work so nice and very little maintenance

 

[Brian916]

You can buy 40 socks for approx. $140. Throw out 1 sock a week and it will take 3 years to pay off a roller.

SP-BP-420-100 #4 Polypropylene Felt Bag Filter - $3.35

SpiroPure SP-BP-420-100 is a 100 Micron 20” Glazed Polypropylene Felt Liquid Bag Filter that offers a high dirt holding capacity for critical applications.

www.allfilters.com

Or keep them and sun dry them. When you have a big pile run them in your clothes washer. Trust me that running them twice with liquid bleach will purge the salt and the funky smell from the washer. I could maybe imagine that letting saltwater sit in your washer for extended periods would be a problem, but diluted salt shouldn't be a problem after a rinse or two.

 

[xparkys]

I bought these popyfill from Michael's based on someone's recommendation here. Fill them in folter cup and toss them out once or twice a week which made it very easy.

It's been 2 months on a 2 cup sump. I haven't even used much as you can see.

A great idea and I love it so far.

 

[PocketReef.1]

preface: I like my fairly ultra simple big tank. UV and ATS. It is a waterbox 230.6, and it does have two 7" filter socks. I could take them out and not worry about it, and I know plenty of people who do this....

But, I like the idea of a sock or a filter mat.

So the title is the question, is there an easy filter sock maintenance mode? I can't just throw them in the washer because the salt will eventually tear up the washing machine. That just isn't acceptable.

But standing out in the yard, with a hose, blasting out all of the debry sucks.

So is my "EZ Mode" a new filter roller for this tank, or is there an answer to deal with filter socks reasonably easily, that doesn't involve just buying more and more and more. The WB filter socks are NOT cheap, and there is no cheap alternative.

I mainly agree with people here. Just wash them in the sink and make sure to get the mesh ones instead. Also get like 2-3 sets of them. It makes for an easy rotation instead of cleaning to pop right in. Once tap water drys, no concern

 

[likemike99]

I used 3 sets of filter socks. my set in the tank, my set drying, and my back up set. hose wash and hang over the fence. the small amount of chlorine from tap will not make a difference. I hear your concern... that is why I just bought a reefmat

 

[killiank]

preface: I like my fairly ultra simple big tank. UV and ATS. It is a waterbox 230.6, and it does have two 7" filter socks. I could take them out and not worry about it, and I know plenty of people who do this....

But, I like the idea of a sock or a filter mat.

So the title is the question, is there an easy filter sock maintenance mode? I can't just throw them in the washer because the salt will eventually tear up the washing machine. That just isn't acceptable.

But standing out in the yard, with a hose, blasting out all of the debry sucks.

So is my "EZ Mode" a new filter roller for this tank, or is there an answer to deal with filter socks reasonably easily, that doesn't involve just buying more and more and more. The WB filter socks are NOT cheap, and there is no cheap alternative.

Tap water if fine. Just shake off good. ALSO, I fond a better way. Disposable sock filters called reef diapers. I buy in bulk.

 

[ejsanchez92399]

I use some 400 micron Mesh Filter socks that are reuseable and I just rinse and clean every couple weeks. But I do have a few pair, so after I wash off in the sink with warm or hot water I let it dry off and swap them out with the other pair when those get clogged and dirty, etc.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I had about 50 7" socks for my 300G. Would change them out every other day, squeeze them out the best I could and toss them in a brute trash can. Wife didn't like me using our clothes washer so I picked up a cheap used unit of market place and put it in the corner of the garage. Ran the waste hose to the driveway( gravel) and hooked the hose to cold water and would run a load every other week or so. First with detergent, then with bleach, then with nothing for a good rinse. Then hung them on a clothes line to dry.

 

[albano]

There’s also reef diaper disposable socks (not sure if they come in the size you need) but if you don’t regularly maintenance them, they can expand

On my 800g system my filter sock is dirty, and must be replaced every day…when I tried the reef diaper, it didn’t get dirty for days…
That means it didn’t filter even 1/2 as much as the socks.
Useless !

 

[albano]

…First with detergent, then with bleach, then with nothing for a good rinse. Then hung them on a clothes line to dry.

I don’t think anyone would recommend using detergent on them!

 

[PPBlimpy]

I don’t think anyone would recommend using detergent on them!

I guess I am not really suggesting it but just stating what I do. I have never had any issues. Before using the washing machine I was using dish soap to clean them by hand, rinse, bleach soak over night, rinse again and let hang dry.

 

[Rich Klein]

Reef Diapers are the answer. Been using them for a couple of years now and will never go back to socks. Floss doesn’t cut it on a large tank and are messy to manage.

 

[jlitz]

The 7 inch cups and Seapora filter floss from Amazon work great on my waterbox.

 

[Techie_]

I have 3 on my tank and a total of 12 socks. I swap them every 3 days and after last clean set is put in, I'll wash in a washing machine with a half a cup of bleach, let air dry. If you're super paranoid, rinse with RO before use.

After Reading this thread I will try filter diapers once I get tired of these.