No More Filter Socks

Coronus · Jul 18, 2020

I want to stop using filter socks and go to a filter drip type tray Like in a wet dry filter. I am looking for ideas on how to hang the tray in a diy sump that’s already in use. It’s a standard 75 gallon.

ichthyogeek · Jul 19, 2020

What does the sump input (i.e. where the water drains into) look like currently? Can we get a picture of what it looks like?

My first thoughts are to use egg crate judiciously. Very, very judiciously.

Billdogg · Jul 19, 2020

^^^This^^^

Either an eggcrate platform to rest it on or a DIY drip tray from acrylic with a bazillion holes in it.. I'd probably use the eggcrate. Way easier to clean.

EMeyer · Jul 19, 2020

While youre switching away from filter socks, this would be a good time to experiment with no physical filtration.

I dropped filter socks years ago and havent seen any downsides. If anything my tanks are healthier than ever. IMO it is a maintenance task with no benefit, and the best solution is just to skip physical filtration altogether.

All I'm saying is, this would be a convenient time for you to try it...

Billdogg · Jul 19, 2020

EMeyer said:
While youre switching away from filter socks, this would be a good time to experiment with no physical filtration.

I dropped filter socks years ago and havent seen any downsides. If anything my tanks are healthier than ever. IMO it is a maintenance task with no benefit, and the best solution is just to skip physical filtration altogether.

All I'm saying is, this would be a convenient time for you to try it...

^^^This^^^

FWIW - I haven't used mechanical filtration in well over 20 years. I'm not sure there's a downside.

Coronus · Jul 19, 2020

You all are right. Been using these for around 12 years. Want them gone but figure they help keep detritus out of the sump as well as the water column. I do have a bubble trap though. Here is a quick pic.

dbowman5 · Jul 19, 2020

interested in the sock free culture. i have new tanks that have no socks. i have used floss in the out flow of my skimmer section intermittently but I like the free flow of varmints from the DT to the sump and back.

ichthyogeek · Jul 19, 2020

Hmmm, ok, so here's what I would do:

Move the protein skimmer(?) farther forward
Using zipties and eggcrate, make two-three boxes
1. shallow box that will be used to hold a number of shallow sponges, whose purpose is to not only filter out larger particles, but also to further distribute flow. These can be cleaned out easily.
2. a large box that will hold your biological media, it's important that it should preferably stay above the general sump level normally, but if the tank shuts off, at least part of the media will become submerged
3. a box that will suspend the other two boxes.
You could/should also construct a number of tee/four way/elbow PVC fittings and drill them such that they evenly distributed water through the sponge layer.