socks or no socks

I suggest getting mesh socks from BRS if you want to try this avenue. I used the felt ones, and found it to be very time consuming, and difficult to clean. The Mesh socks, also 200 micron, are extremely easy to clean. I take my sock out, turn it inside out, and let it dry for a day. I then just rub between my hands (while dry) and all of the algae flakes, extra food, detritus, etc. just dusts off. Turn it back, and viola! Much easier IMO, however, filter socks must be maintained consistently or can be a trap for excess nutrients. I change mine every 3-4 days. Hope that helped.

 

I currently use a 200 micron sock in my skimmer but am pondering removing it to see how the tank does. It's not horribly bad to wash and re-use the socks, I have a stock of about 15. I'm just wondering how much they are truly benefitting the tank. I also have a sponge block before the return, should I remove that also?

 

I use a sock just to collect floating particulates. I have gone sockless and didn't notice a big difference...other than water clarity. My nutrient levels were the same either way. With the mesh socks, I don't mind the maintenance. But for some, I understand that it is "just one more thing to have to clean."

 

i also have the sponge block before where the water hits the sock . i would not remove the sponge, since i figure its grabbing the larger stuff. and the skimmer is grabbing what the sock would. just my thought on it.

 

Got it, thx for the input. My sponge block is after the skimmer and sock. My water drains into the sock then through the skimmer then through the sponge block and back to the tank. I wasn't sure if I was losing out on any beneficial things by having the sponge block them prior to the return.

 

oh the sponge first as mine is was easy for me to say why do i need the sock. but the other way ???? my thoughts are the skimmer is pulling beneficial things. its why we have to feed corals. this is my theory and im sticking to it....lol seriously though when i ran my last tank without a skimmer. i didnt feed corals and they did well i didnt add a skimmer till the last 3 or two months of running for a couple years. but this tank i thought i will set it up right, i will go all out. so i did, than when my skimmers impeller was bad and my skimmer was down for 2 weeks my corals were feeding most of the day. it made me rethink things. my skimmer is now off for an hour after feeding. it was 15 minutes. all these things we add for good water quality effect the system in some way. its a balancing act as im sure you know from the looks of your tank. its awesome! its one of the tanks... i think wow thats nice. so well done.

 

It depends. If you're wearing shoes, then yes, socks are a must. However, if you're wearing sandals, please do not wear socks.

On a (slightly more) serious note... I use socks on all tanks with a sump. Water clarity is definitely the biggest advantage of using a sock as opposed to not using one. Cleaning them isn't too bad as long as you clean them right away, don't let it dry and then try to clean it - talk about a PITA. Another benefit of having a sock... they sometimes keep overflow jumpers/riders safe from the return pump until you find them. I've found a few fish in socks that might have otherwise been sucked up into the return pump and turned into chum.

 

agree!!!!!! ;D

on this its all about how your sump is set up.

 

Lol!

 

I'm skimmerless and sockless with no issues. I run a boatload of chaeto. It really depends on your setup, as has been mentioned before.