socks or not

[chrispycritter]

im sure this has been asked but was wondering what mechanical filter does everyone use? seen some post about dont use any its food for coral and just use a skimmer. and some post about switching from socks to filter roller or cups with floss. i been using socks and getting tired of washing and changing them out about every 3 days.

 

[JTP424]

The moment I got my waterbox I swapped the sock for a filter floss cup and never looked back.
Actually about to pick up a 7" cup for the larger tank I have since it currently uses filter socks and I am not washing those hahah.

 

[Fish Fan]

I can't stand socks, I would go with filter cups and Poly Fil or no mechanical at all.

 

[BryanM]

I oddly still run socks, but cups+floss is on the radar.

 

[jdpeters]

I run socks I don’t understand what the fuss is. I have dinoflagellates so I have to change them out daily

 

[Fish Fan]

I oddly still run socks, but cups+floss is on the radar.

You'll never go back to socks

 

[reefmaster70]

socks are great, IF and only IF you are diligent at checking and replacing/cleaning them..otherwise, do yourself a huge favor and invest in cups and a bag of cheap filter floss, OR a Fleece roller. Thank me later!

 

[fishface NJ]

Socks! I tried the filter cups and Poly Fil but after 6 months I had to remove my return pump. I had just a few strands of Poly Fil wrapped around the impellor.

 

[BryanM]

You'll never go back to socks

I just worry a bit how much gets through the floss.

But the overall idea is way better than socks.

 

[X-37B]

I only use them if doing a heavy clean of my overflow.
I switched to 400 micron mesh socks. They get changed every 3-4 weeks and catch the big stuff and never overflow.

 

[reefmaster70]

I just worry a bit how much gets through the floss.

But the overall idea is way better than socks.

I can tell you that you don't need to worry. I've been using cheap bag floss from Wal Mart in my filter rack in the back of my Nuvo 20g nano tank, and it keeps the water pristine..no garbage floating around. I have to change the chunk of floss out once a week, as it collects a ton of garbage coming out of the tank.

 

[Fish Fan]

This stuff is great, and even cheaper at Walmart, but that link is harder to post here

The Original Poly-fil® Premium Fiber Fill Bag, 20oz. | Michaels

Buy the The Original Poly-fil® Premium Fiber Fill Bag, 20oz. at Michaels.com. Crafters have made Poly-Fil the best selling polyester fiberfill in America.

www.michaels.com

This is exactly the same product as aquarium filter floss, but much cheaper because it doesn't have a picture of a fish on the bag

 

[chrispycritter]

my system suffers from low to no nutrients. would remove socks help raise my phosphate and nitrate? And thanks for the info great help.

 

[BryanM]

This stuff is great, and even cheaper at Walmart, but that link is harder to post here

The Original Poly-fil® Premium Fiber Fill Bag, 20oz. | Michaels

Buy the The Original Poly-fil® Premium Fiber Fill Bag, 20oz. at Michaels.com. Crafters have made Poly-Fil the best selling polyester fiberfill in America.

www.michaels.com

This is exactly the same product as aquarium filter floss, but much cheaper because it doesn't have a picture of a fish on the bag

Sold.

And I was going to buy more socks.

 

[X-37B]

I do use floss in my 15g nano.
Just cleaned the return pump as it slowed down. Small bits of floss wrapped around the impeller was found.

 

[bushdoc]

I recently switched to disposable socks and found this idea somewhere on this forum. Hopefully this method will also positively bear on my marriage as my wife was obviously objecting filter socks in “ her” washing machine

 

[vetteguy53081]

im sure this has been asked but was wondering what mechanical filter does everyone use? seen some post about dont use any its food for coral and just use a skimmer. and some post about switching from socks to filter roller or cups with floss. i been using socks and getting tired of washing and changing them out about every 3 days.

Ive been using socks well over a decade and love them with no ill effects on any of my setups

 

[exnisstech]

For socks I'm using 200 micron mesh socks. I rinse them with a garden hose and hang dry. Only takes a couple of minutes to clean two 7" socks.
I ran @Reef Diaper disposables when I had a tank with a 4" sock holder. I also run floss, hob filters, a roller and no filtration.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Whenever I get my tank up and running again I will be using filter floss or Reef diapers!

 

[Steverd]

No socks, mine was always catching a bunch codepods.
I would spend alot of time to save them and put back into the tank.