Who hates filter socks?

Reefs anonymous · Oct 8, 2017

I actually like them but they are too difficult to clean. My mantra is if it isn't easy to keep your tank clean, you'll start to skip cleaning it and eventually the tank will get out of control. So with a little help from my wife, I modified my filter sock to take filter pads. The total cost was 67 cents. Yes that's right 67 cents, but honestly my wife had a 50% off so it truly cost 34 cents! Lol. I got the mesh material from Joann fabrics. Here's a couple pictures of my first mod. From here I may clean it up a bit to make it look "finished".

This is what it looks like in my sump.

With filter floss in it.

Notice that some of the water wasn't getting filtered because it was flowing behind the filter pad. I stuffed more filter pad into the filter bucket but I just didn't like how the water was flowing only on the sides so I got one of those Chinese food containers and cut it to size, then cut a smaller hole in it to direct the water into the middle of the pad. It worked perfectly! Let me know what you guys think.

Reefs anonymous · Oct 8, 2017

The design was to get the basket touching the water level of the sump. This is to eliminate any water falling noise from the basket to the water level. I can honestly say it's completely inaudible. Absolutely no sound, not even a trickle sound.

sa6hir · Oct 8, 2017

I absolutely love it!!! I love filter socks butttttt hate cleaning them so they had to go... now this something I would love to try. Was this mesh assembled or did u put it together yourself

Fish Werx · Oct 8, 2017

I dont mind changing my filter socks, I hate cleaning them, but love the way my tank water looks when using them! So clear!
Lately I have been pressure washing them each week. I built a little wooden "bench" with holes cut out to fit the sock rings. I turn them inside out and set them in the holes. Spray away! Takes about 5 -10 minutes to totally clean all 10 of my 7" socks once set up and spraying.... But its still a pain.

I dig your idea! Nice job!

Reefs anonymous · Oct 8, 2017

sa6hir said:
I absolutely love it!!! I love filter socks butttttt hate cleaning them so they had to go... now this something I would love to try. Was this mesh assembled or did u put it together yourself

I put it together. I tried super glue, pvc glue and neither worked. Piece of cake. I used thread for upholstery, cut mesh to size and used a small drill to punch holes into the filter sock rim. Then got the wife to do the sewing.

TbyZ · Oct 8, 2017

I made something very similar to put activated carbon in, ROX 8 to be exact.
A short length of pvc pipe with a nylon screen (some curtain material :) ) on the bottom to stop the very very small ROX pellets escaping.

The water is directed through the pipe contacting the carbon before pouring out the bottom.
I was worried about how effective ROX was in a mesh bag (just how much water was actually going through the gag rather than flowing around it) & I didn't want a reactor & pump, if for no other reason, I only use about a half cup of carbon.

Works very well.

Reefs anonymous · Oct 8, 2017

^. I was thinking to use pvc but I wanted it to fit the filter sock perfectly. I also want to use the mesh because if for some reason the pad clogs up the water can escape to the sides. It's virtually impossible to clog up and overflow.

Donovan Joannes · Oct 8, 2017

I hate the real filter socks because they are ridiculously expensive for me (USD10). I am using a ridiculously cheap coffee strainer (USD0.40), easily cleaned and doesn't filter the finest particulates that feeds my coral.

TbyZ · Oct 8, 2017

Reefs anonymous said:
^. I was thinking to use pvc but I wanted it to fit the filter sock perfectly. I also want to use the mesh because if for some reason the pad clogs up the water can escape to the sides. It's virtually impossible to clog up and overflow.

Yes, good thinking.

Seame · Oct 9, 2017

Great idea, any ideas where I can get mesh baskets for an 8 inch socks?

EDIT,I tried searching and found these http://m.repotme.com/?url=http://ww....html&utm_referrer=http://mynetpots.com/#2534

Repot me. Com , what do you guys think, should be worried about the plastics leaching anything?

Reefs anonymous · Oct 9, 2017

Seame said:
Great idea, any ideas where I can get mesh baskets for an 8 inch socks?

EDIT,I tried searching and found these http://m.repotme.com/?url=http://www.repotme.com/orchid-pots/Net-Pot-8.html&utm_referrer=http://mynetpots.com/#2534

Repot me. Com , what do you guys think, should be worried about the plastics leaching anything?

Why not Make one? Just go to a Joann fabrics and buy the mesh, then cut to fit.

Fin · Nov 21, 2017

Neat mod (do reefers say that anymore:)) That is "needlepoint canvas" and you can also get it at Hobby Lobby or Michael's and probably a lot of sewing / knitting shops. I use it for a number of different things.