Mohaynow Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Ok, so just how important are they really? Would I be an idiot for not using one? I've always had one just because everyone says ya need one. I understand the whole stopping stuff from getting sucked up into your pumps and catching uneaten food and whatnot. Just trying to get some opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 After seeing all the junk mine collect. I can not see a reason to run without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trautman Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 it is how you take thinks that would gum up your water quality out of your system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGooseWhisperer Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Without one I couldnt run a GFO reactor...it just got gunked up in a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefSafari Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I use a filter sock, but its a PAIN in the patootie(Spelling?)....Partly becuase of my setup, but if it was easier to change out, I don't think it would be near the hassle...I kind of chaulked it up as just another method of filtration, and just another way of trying to keep the water as clean as possible, so if I look at it that way, as a pain it is to change out all the time, everything and anything helps...so I will keep using one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mohaynow Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 sounds like the filter sock companies arm reaches far indeed. I suppose I will spend another hour or so squeezing my 320 pound derier under my tank to try to arrange a spot for the filter sock. Who knew changing skimmers would be such a pain. Thanks for the input everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 They can become nitrate factories if you don't change them often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I use one anytime I do something that stirs stuff up in the tank. The main reason for not running all the time is I'm not set up for one. I plan on using them full time when I put the sump etc. in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I have used them... but didn't change them as much as I should have because they are such PIA to clean.... that was until I purchased some of the nylon MESH kind instead of the felt! They are SO easy to clean and I will be using more of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I have used them... but didn't change them as much as I should have because they are such PIA to clean.... that was until I purchased some of the nylon MESH kind instead of the felt! They are SO easy to clean and I will be using more of them I've got some of both. Definitely agree that the nylon mesh ones are much easier to change. They were the same price for those as well and the still catch the big stuff. I do use both though in my tank. Just depends on what I grab out of the drawer when I'm doing my maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I think they are verry helpfull but only if changed frequently at least 2 times weekly or its no help, if not worse. I change mine around 4 times a week and it helps alot as far as keeping the excess nutrients down. IMO Anything that can be implemented to cut down on the amount of excess nutrients is a plus. Its all about water quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBirkett Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 If your sock gets dirty too fast, get the ones that are like two feet long. Harder to flip inside out to clean, but will last longer between sock changes. Anybody flip the sock inside out over a bucket and find life to add to your refugium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I find pods and baby snails in them all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 What are these mesh ones I'm hearing about? Someone must tell me more LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 What are these mesh ones I'm hearing about? Someone must tell me more LOL http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/miscellaneous/aquarium-filter-socks-and-bags/brs-mesh-filter-sock-7-x-14-200-micron-w-plastic-ring.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost207 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 My sump is so little thear is no room for one I have had my tank op almost 1 year no problems yet .on my next bild I will have a lot more room and will b using one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Thanks Jesse, I'm gonna have to get some once I get the new sump done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanktop74 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I've got some of both. Definitely agree that the nylon mesh ones are much easier to change. They were the same price for those as well and the still catch the big stuff. I do use both though in my tank. Just depends on what I grab out of the drawer when I'm doing my maintenance. it filters out the big stuff.... but how do the mesh ones do on filtering out the little stuff??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 According to BRS Beth, they're the same as the regular socks, 200 micron... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 They dont seem to grab as much of the small stuff as the other ones. it filters out the big stuff.... but how do the mesh ones do on filtering out the little stuff??? Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 You can buy 100 micron mesh socks if you know where to look, I think BRS only sells the 200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I used to be against them and now I use a couple. It really depends on your tank design and your husbandry routine. If you can do without, better. If you can't keep them clean. Clean them with Hydrogen Peroxide instead of household bleach. There is a thread I started here somewhere and on RC too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 If I could vote twice for essential I would...that and replacing sand probably 2 biggest reasons for success I've had since teardown and start over...every time I complain about changing them out (every other day), I remember that it is a helluva lot less work than hair algae... DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 They can become nitrate factories if you don't change them often. I keep hearing that, and I do attempt to change mine, but don't as often as I should. But is a sock that isn't changed as often as it should worse in that respect than no sock at all? I seems like the "stuff" is going to break down somewhere else in the tank, if it isn't in the sock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I keep hearing that' date=' and I do attempt to change mine, but don't as often as I should. But is a sock that isn't changed as often as it should worse in that respect than no sock at all? I seems like the "stuff" is going to break down somewhere else in the tank, if it isn't in the sock.[/quote'] Concentrating detritus in a localized area is not the same as having it spread in the whole system. The physical and chemical environment that a filter sock can generate is know for building up a significative nitrate level. Mostly because of the high content of oxygen due to the water flow through the filter sock in a fluid where ion exchange is easy. I think of them similarly as wet/dry filters for the way they can produce nitrates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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