I'm having to change mine every other day. I have two that I rotate and I they clog really quick. Maybe i'm not rinsing them good enough. Anyone have any tips or ideas that I could use to prolong that change?
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How often do you change your filter sock.
- Thread starter MikeNapoli
- Start date
We have about 5 sets we rotate through. We probably should change them more frequently because water starts flowing out of tops of them instead of through them pretty quickly (like in a matter of a week maybe). Since we're using them predominately for bubble traps, it's OK with us.
The way we clean them is to run them through the washing machine with a little bleach and white vinegar. They don't come out sparkling new, but close enough.
The way we clean them is to run them through the washing machine with a little bleach and white vinegar. They don't come out sparkling new, but close enough.
I have 2 of them, and change twice a week, doing the same as John by throwing them in the machine with some bleach and vinegar. I turn them inside out when I wash them, and put them through the rinse-cycle twice, then air dry.
None of mine ever seemed to have clogged though. ???
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Wendy
None of mine ever seemed to have clogged though. ???
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Wendy
I didn't know I could use bleach 
I have 2 and change them out weekly with my water change.
I have 2 and change them out weekly with my water change.Thanks guys ... I've only been running mine under the sink. Since that's not getting the job done i'll have to start doing laundry. Thanks again for the input.
Subliminal
NJRC Member
What is this 'filter sock' you speak of?
Does it go over the output of your pipe from tank to sump to strain out fish or fowl?
Does it go over the output of your pipe from tank to sump to strain out fish or fowl?
JohnS_323 said:
Thankfully I haven't found any fish in it yet ;D
Subliminal said:
It traps uneaten food, deutris and any free floating particle matter, so that they could be removed before they start to decompose in the sump or somewhere else. It is basically a very fine mechanical filter media over the overflow's return pipe.
I have a lab in my office as Civil Engineers and we get socks all the time of the different types...
The answer depends on the TYPE of filter sock (felt vs microfiber vs nylon) and the Micron rating of the sock.
Felt is the cheapest and usally found at 100 or 200 Micron, and washable about 4 times before it decays. Microfiber is the most expensive and has micron ratings as low as 50. Nylon is the midrange, has ratings from 100, 150 and 200, and is washable for about 50 times.
My experience in Aquariums before the socks overflow:
Felt 100: 3 days
Felt 200: 4 days
Nylon 100: 4 days
Nylon 150: 6 days
Nylon 200: 7-8 Days
Personally I have found that NYLON last significantly longer and can be washed over and over without much deteriation. The other prolblem is the common FELT type is the Micron rating is NOMINAL. That means that the entire socks area moved liquid through as if the TOTAL surface area of a micron rating. So there could be areas that are higher or lower. Nylon (and Microfiber) are threaded and all the surface area is the same micron rating.
If you are using FELT, then consider 200 Micron, if Nylon then 150 Micron. Personally I feel the 150 Micron is a better value and does a great job of crystal clear water and not having to change every few days.
There are other players, but I highly recommend these guys. (we buy from these guys for our in house lab) http://www.filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm
Also even if you would only use the 4" ring type, consider the 7" size. The extra area lets you leave it in longer. You don't need fancy holder. I have mine attached with a rubber bungy cord. Makes changing them a 20 second process.
The answer depends on the TYPE of filter sock (felt vs microfiber vs nylon) and the Micron rating of the sock.
Felt is the cheapest and usally found at 100 or 200 Micron, and washable about 4 times before it decays. Microfiber is the most expensive and has micron ratings as low as 50. Nylon is the midrange, has ratings from 100, 150 and 200, and is washable for about 50 times.
My experience in Aquariums before the socks overflow:
Felt 100: 3 days
Felt 200: 4 days
Nylon 100: 4 days
Nylon 150: 6 days
Nylon 200: 7-8 Days
Personally I have found that NYLON last significantly longer and can be washed over and over without much deteriation. The other prolblem is the common FELT type is the Micron rating is NOMINAL. That means that the entire socks area moved liquid through as if the TOTAL surface area of a micron rating. So there could be areas that are higher or lower. Nylon (and Microfiber) are threaded and all the surface area is the same micron rating.
If you are using FELT, then consider 200 Micron, if Nylon then 150 Micron. Personally I feel the 150 Micron is a better value and does a great job of crystal clear water and not having to change every few days.
There are other players, but I highly recommend these guys. (we buy from these guys for our in house lab) http://www.filterbags.com/filter_bag_pricing.htm
Also even if you would only use the 4" ring type, consider the 7" size. The extra area lets you leave it in longer. You don't need fancy holder. I have mine attached with a rubber bungy cord. Makes changing them a 20 second process.
Here is my filter sock (thought a picture couldn't hurt).
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Wendy
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Wendy
Phyl said:
Don't tell anyone, Phyl, but that's how it looked when I first put it on.
LOL---
Wendy
Here is a pic that shows how I do it. Very very simple, just a bumgie cord. And since I am using the 7 inch ring size, there is more open surface area. This is a 150 Micron Nylon Sock. It has probably been washed 20 times so far. Change around every 4 days. Take about 20 seconds to change it.
