Why replace filter sock every 3 days?

[b4tn]

Why is the general opinion to change filter socks every 3 days? I make my own filter socks. They are much larger than what you would buy and I have tested. They don't clog up and start overflowing for several weeks. I typically change them once weekly with water changes and was just wondering if I am doing something bad? Each time I change a filter sock I have to adjust my skimmer which is a pain to do once a week yet alone every 3 days.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Not sure where you heard about changes every three days...I change when it's overflowing. What I don't get is that it use to be every 5 days or so...but now it's every 1 1/2 to 2 days. I also wouldn't want to leave it in there for "several weeks" out of fear of decomp, and releasing nitrates and phosphates back into the tank. I'd stick to the weekly changes if it were me.

 

[b4tn]

I have read many threads of people changing the sock anywhere from 1 -3 days but I don't see why if it's not overflowing. I will stick to once a week.

 

[reef4beer]

I change mine every 8-10 days when its overflowing

 

[Bryce Peterson]

Why run one at all? What function does it perform?

 

[b4tn]

I pulled it out a few times. Water was not as clear and my skimmer section in my sump had a ton of detritus which is a pain to clean out due too space issues.

 

[hybridazn]

Why run one at all? What function does it perform?

Just another step in filtration. I find them great to use in keep detritus from building up in the sump

 

[trio91]

Once a week for me. Just out of habit

 

[Broadfield]

I change mine a minimum of every 3-4 days. I feel there's no reason to let all of the detritus, fish food etc break down in the sock and add to my phosphate levels.

 

[sticky polyps]

My question is, if i am feeding heavily to keep my nitrares and phosphate from being stripped out is it ok to let the sock help add some back the water through the decomposition prosess. I still change mine every 8-10 days when it is overflowing but like to run my tank a bit "dirty" and have good reults with sps like acropora. Actually, i think my water is a bit too "clean" for my zoas which struggle at times.
Also when enough detritus accumulates in my sump itake a turkey baster in there and blow it back ip into my display to feed the corals, i wait till the water clears back up and blow any detritus that settles on any live rock or coral off of them and potentially into the filter sock.

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

I change mine every 3-4 weeks in both my 240g FOWLR and my 60g reef cube. My nitrates and phosphate stay at zero.

 

[sticky polyps]

Obviously you do not want the phosphates to bind to your live rock, but in a stocked reef, many organisms are in competition for them

 

[SandJ]

You said you make your own filter socks...do you wash the material before adding it to the sump?

If not, that could be what is causing the skimmer issues. I believe there is a starch addictive used in the manufacturing process of new material that should be washed out.

 

[jetmaker]

Why run one at all? What function does it perform?

+1

 

[jetmaker]

Just another step in filtration. I find them great to use in keep detritus from building up in the sump

Your skimmer should take care of whatever your bacteria don't break down

 

[sticky polyps]

I use them because if not i would have to service other equipment more frequently, they allow me to have more control over my system

 

[hybridazn]

Your skimmer should take care of whatever your bacteria don't break down

Your not wrong in your statement, but with me I tend to feed heavily and always had buildup in dead spots in my sump. Running socks helped eliminate that problem like others I'm sure.

 

[jetmaker]

I feed heavy too. No problems

 

[mniemann]

I change mine a minimum of every 3-4 days. I feel there's no reason to let all of the detritus, fish food etc break down in the sock and add to my phosphate levels.

^^^^This

 

[rossco]

I change mine every 4 to 5 days when they overflow. In my case, they really do serve a purpose. I run 2 lighted sections in my sump, one as a refugium with chaeto, and one as a frag tank. The filter sock keeps detritus and chunks of nuisance algae that eventually end up growing in the overflow from reaching and settling in these areas.

An old picture. The lighting over the frags is now T5 like the display.