I’m curious how often other members change out their filter socks. I use a standard 4x12 filter sock and change them out once a week. By day number five the socks begin to over flow but I let that go until day seven which is when I do my weekly water change. At that point I put in a clean filter sock and wash out all my media filtration as well. I’ve read it’s not the best to let filter socks over flow but my sump is very tight and they can be a pain in the ass switching them out.
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Changing filter socks
- Thread starter Jon
- Start date
I have two 7” filter sock holder and I change them every
Two days. You have to change them more frequently in order for them to be effective.
I purchase a 10 pack from amazon and put them on rotation. I have like 20 socks total. And I wash them like every 15 days in the laundry with bleach 2 x cycles.
Two days. You have to change them more frequently in order for them to be effective.
I purchase a 10 pack from amazon and put them on rotation. I have like 20 socks total. And I wash them like every 15 days in the laundry with bleach 2 x cycles.
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I’ve never heard of a floss cup till now. Looks like they make things a whole lot easier.
I agree. Get a filter cup, socks are a pain. I add floss and replace every 2 or 3 days. I have two 3inch cups.
Can you add carbon to them as well? Meaning, is there enough space for both carbon and floss? Also if i order them should I get just one or should I get a couple? I don’t know if they break easily or possibly for other reasons.
D
Deleted member 27248
Guest
I have 2 4” bags, it takes about 4-5 days before they get dark and start filling up.
D
Deleted member 27248
Guest
Hockeynut
NJRC Member
I change them as soon as they overflow. Until then they are working perfectly.
I also tried floss cups it really didn’t work for me. Maybe if I could have had multiple cups it would have worked but one would overflow in a day or two. Not worth it. My 4x14 sock lasts about 5 days I have about 12 socks and only wash when I have only one clean one left.
I also tried floss cups it really didn’t work for me. Maybe if I could have had multiple cups it would have worked but one would overflow in a day or two. Not worth it. My 4x14 sock lasts about 5 days I have about 12 socks and only wash when I have only one clean one left.
Salted
NJRC Member
Following because I hope to get my sump plumbed and running this weekend. Started poking around online while reading this and wondering - is this https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ribbon-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GS0XM8EVX93KG37A559M really any different than this; https://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Po...+stuffing&qid=1610239058&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-6 ? The fish specific stuff is 4x the price. From my research, the only concern would be buying a product that does not add flame retardant, which the one in my link does not. Since I only have two pairs of filter socks it looks like I have a decision to make.
Hockey, what do you store the dirty ones in? I put mine ina plastic shopping bag. After about three weeks one appeared to have mold growing in it. I definitely don’t want that in my tank
D
Deleted member 27248
Guest
In my opinion, filter socks are the cheapest and easiest way to go.filter floss is not cheap anyway you do it. And you will be changing it often.get 20-40 socks, and wash them and you’ll have them for years.
Ha. I just took a pic of this in my fish room. Check JoAnn Fabrics as I picked up the large bag for $5 on sale. Down to my last one after a year. Picked up a few.
I disagree. Had 8 socks and they seemed to clog faster after 1st use. I tried washing machine with bleach or vinegar. Even power washing. You don't need much floss and its so easy even if I replace it 2 or 3 times a week.
D
Deleted member 27248
Guest
I’m sure it depends ont the system.I used it in my old tank to “save money” I’d throw clumps in a cup and it got dirty quickly in my tank.then there would be stray strands of poly floating in sump and return pump. To each his own.
WIth bigger tanks I went with filter socks. Just grabbed 10-12 from Amazon.
When they got dirty enough to start to overfill I'd replace and throw the dirty one in a bucket of water with a cup of bleach in it to start cleaning and prevent any pathogen buildup.
When I was down to 2 clean socks Id throw the bucket socks into a water and bleach only wash with a double rinse, then air dry them for 2 days, then rinse again with clear water.
Sounds complex, but wasnt bad, an hour of work every few weeks.
With nanos, especially AIOs, its 100% about the cup (or media rack) and floss. Every 2-3 days a handful out and in the trash, a handful in.
My morning ritual consists of looking at floss, and if it's dirty, replacing it. Takes all of 60 seconds from start to finish and a bag of floss lasts up to 2 months.
When they got dirty enough to start to overfill I'd replace and throw the dirty one in a bucket of water with a cup of bleach in it to start cleaning and prevent any pathogen buildup.
When I was down to 2 clean socks Id throw the bucket socks into a water and bleach only wash with a double rinse, then air dry them for 2 days, then rinse again with clear water.
Sounds complex, but wasnt bad, an hour of work every few weeks.
With nanos, especially AIOs, its 100% about the cup (or media rack) and floss. Every 2-3 days a handful out and in the trash, a handful in.
My morning ritual consists of looking at floss, and if it's dirty, replacing it. Takes all of 60 seconds from start to finish and a bag of floss lasts up to 2 months.