Filter Sock

[Jon]

I'm curious about what everyone elses experience with filter socks is like. I just began using them about three weeks ago and have found that I am cleaning it more and more frequently. At first my filter sock would last a week before it needed a cleaning. But now I am lucky to get three days of use from it before it needs another cleaning. Is this normal?

I am currently using a 200 micron filter sock and have rowaphos seperately stored in it as well. When I clean the sock I take it out of the sump and throughly rinse it and brush it inside and out many times until it appears clean. Is there anything else that I should be doing?

When I bought the sock the clerk at my LFS said to put it in the washing machine or the dishwasher. I told her I don't feel comfortable doing this because of the amount of soap that both of them use and don't not want to contaminate my tank.

What does you think?

Jon

 

[JerseyWendy]

Jon, what do you mean you have Rowaphos separately stored inside your filter bag? Is it possible that with the water gushing into the sock, the Rowaphos gets kind of smashed around to the point that it's making your sock dirtier faster?

I use filter socks, the heavy duty ones with felt on the outside, and the get tossed into the washing machine at least once a week. I use a little bleach when I wash them. Once the machine is done, I reset and wash a second time with only water to make sure there's no residue left. I airdry them after. Been doing it like that since I started with the hobby, and never had any problems.

 

[ricwilli]

I'm having the same problem as you. I started using them about 3 weeks ago as well and I hate it already. At first my skimmer started overflowing when I put the sock in the sump, now I have to change it every two days. It literally gets clogged with red algae. I am getting tiered of it. But I must say that it keeps my sump very clean. When it gets clogged, I remove it from the sump, rinse it, put it in a small bucket filled with water and bleach and leave it in there for one day. Than rinse it and let it air dry. Mind you that I have like five filter socks. I just keep rotating them.

 

[Nickjr000]

Ricwilli If your skimmer is overflowing when you remove the dirty sock it might be the additional water that the sock holds raises the level of your sump when you pull it out to change it. Causing the skimmer to overflow. I change my socks when they're overflowing and after i pull them out my water level is about an 2" higher. Brings my skimmer right to the edge of overflowing. I wouldn't put any other media or filter pads into the sock though. Too much current in there and it will only make it not function properly

 

[pgordemer]

I'm having the same problem as you. I started using them about 3 weeks ago as well and I hate it already. At first my skimmer started overflowing when I put the sock in the sump, now I have to change it every two days. It literally gets clogged with red algae. I am getting tiered of it. But I must say that it keeps my sump very clean. When it gets clogged, I remove it from the sump, rinse it, put it in a small bucket filled with water and bleach and leave it in there for one day. Than rinse it and let it air dry. Mind you that I have like five filter socks. I just keep rotating them.

Most people use a Micro size too small. Stay away from 100 Micron. You are significant'y changing the surface tension of the water, it can take a few weeks for the tank to settle for use with socks.

The felt type are not a very accurate Micron Rating, they are nominally rated (average over all the surface area) and will only hold up to about 10 washings.

Monofiliminent mesh (nylon) socks last a very long time (I have some going on 2 years) and can easily be washed with just a small amount of bleach and no soap.

150 Micron is smallest to get, 200 Micron is better. You should be able to get 4 days out of them. Then just pop a new one on, throw the dirty one in a barrel, when you ahve used up all your spares, toss them in the wash.

Here is something to try. Many people only get the 4 Inch type, that is avery small surface area and can get clogged pretty quick. Get the 7 Inch size, much more surface area. I have my just hanging on the drain pipe with a rubber bungee shock cord.


Try here: http://www.filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm
Ginny is great to work with (I have done a number of personal group buys with her). You want to look at the Nylon Monofiliment type.

With

 

[JRWOHLER]

I was scared of putting mine in the washer too...but with the frozen hose outside in they went. I run it through 3 times with no soap and then overnight in a small pitcher with water conditioner, then I do my best to get all water out again before putting them in the sump. OH and I turn them inside out the first two times through.

 

[pgordemer]

I was scared of putting mine in the washer too...but with the frozen hose outside in they went. I run it through 3 times with no soap and then overnight in a small pitcher with water conditioner, then I do my best to get all water out again before putting them in the sump. OH and I turn them inside out the first two times through.

Do not use the water conditioner, you are just giving something else for your skimmer to do. (many conditioners have agents for fish to create slime coats).

All you need is a single HOT WATER wash with a small amount of bleach. Air drying will remove all any traces of bleach.

If it makes your head feel better, then before you use one, then just rinse/soak it in plain RO/DI water before you put it in.

 

[Jon]

How much bleach should I put in when I wash them?
Jon

 

[cmsurfr22]

Most people use a Micro size too small. Stay away from 100 Micron. You are significant'y changing the surface tension of the water, it can take a few weeks for the tank to settle for use with socks.

The felt type are not a very accurate Micron Rating, they are nominally rated (average over all the surface area) and will only hold up to about 10 washings.

Monofiliminent mesh (nylon) socks last a very long time (I have some going on 2 years) and can easily be washed with just a small amount of bleach and no soap.

150 Micron is smallest to get, 200 Micron is better. You should be able to get 4 days out of them. Then just pop a new one on, throw the dirty one in a barrel, when you ahve used up all your spares, toss them in the wash.

Here is something to try. Many people only get the 4 Inch type, that is avery small surface area and can get clogged pretty quick. Get the 7 Inch size, much more surface area. I have my just hanging on the drain pipe with a rubber bungee shock cord.


Try here: http://www.filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm
Ginny is great to work with (I have done a number of personal group buys with her). You want to look at the Nylon Monofiliment type.

With

i too ran into problems with the felt type and after reading the above website it makes sense. i'm thinking of buying some of the monofiliment socks but the only reason i want them is to cut down on bubbles from my drain pipe since i'll be plumbing into my basement. what micron rating do you suggest for this application?

 

[pgordemer]

How much bleach should I put in when I wash them?
Jon

Since I only use HOT water, I use a Full size load of hot water and a 1/4 cup of bleach.

 

[pgordemer]

i too ran into problems with the felt type and after reading the above website it makes sense. i'm thinking of buying some of the monofiliment socks but the only reason i want them is to cut down on bubbles from my drain pipe since i'll be plumbing into my basement. what micron rating do you suggest for this application?

My sump is in the basement and the 200 Micro socks do both the cleanup and bubble removal. I run the end of the skimmer output right back into the same sock as the water drain from upstairs.

 

[Jon]

Phil thanks for the advice.

 

[blange3]

I do run 100 micron nylon and I'm happy with them.

I change them every other day and wash them as Phil describes.

If there wasn't something for them to filter, they wouldn't get dirty! I'm happy when I can see they are doing their job.

 

[Nickjr000]

200 Micron works great for me

 

[JRWOHLER]

Thanks for the info Phil...used the info on the zip ties for TLF worked great(Phil gives good info not a hijack)

 

[pgordemer]

Thanks for the info Phil...used the info on the zip ties for TLF worked great(Phil gives good info not a hijack)

I bow to the many experts here on the corals, I know very little about what I have. I have to ask everyone before I add anything.... BUT from the "hardware" side of the hobby, I have lots of experience as I bred clownfish and had many FOWLR tanks. Plus I am a computer geek for a living, so automation via controllers is my thing.