I hate filter socks

melev

melev

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I'm pretty passionate about my position. Still, from time to time they are useful, but I sure don't like cleaning them. Here's the write up for those that may be interested:

http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/15749-How-I-clean-filter-socks

I'm far happier running a skimmer and cleaning out the sump of any detritus once every couple of months.
 
Detritus builds up fast in any dead spots. I just went back to filter socks - had gone for 8 months without - and the detritus buildup in the frag tank is probably 20 % of what it had been. I change the socks every day. Since I made about 20 of them, and since my wife washes them in the washer, it isn't a lot of trouble.

David
 
I have 4 of them, I swap out every twice a week once three are dirty I throw in the washing machine no soap or bleach and wash in steam/hot cycle I do turn them inside out and prerinse them under the sink first


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I have not been using them lately. Probably just out of lazyness and with the hopes of more pods in the tank. The sump has gotten pretty dirty and I see my skimmer is pretty filthy too !! They're very usefull in keeping everything cleaner, but they are a pain since they must be changed frequently. I'm pretty sure everyone HATES cleaning them marc !!!!!
 
It's the brown stuff that collects in piles in the sump. If you wave your hand over it, it quickly rises and clouds the water, but will settle out again after a 20 minute period.
 
Yes, I can siphon it out to a nearby floor drain or pump it out with a Mag pump using tubing on both ends of the pump.
 
Also depending on how much water is in the sump you can just syphon it out with a hose to a bucket. It is slower since it is on the floor but if you don't have a pump it is another option. It shouldn't take much to syphon it out if it is on a bare bottom sump.

I used a filter sock on my old Backpack II HOB skimmer. I cleaned it weekly and saved several stomatellas and pods from eminent demise. I don't use them now since I only have one sump without a fuge.
 
I have a dedicated water change only 10 gallon wet/dry shop vac. I vacuum my sump and do a 20 gallon water change every two weeks


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I tried to get away from them, but, they do a great job for me ... I change them when I do my water change ... throw them in the washer machine with a little bleach ... wash twice and then 2 rinse cycles
 
For all of you using washing machines, you do laundry with soap and possibly Downy. Are you washing them on hot? Any type of prerinse of the machine?
 
nope ... not for me ... I do 2 wash cycles with bleach ... then 2 rinse cycles ... mine is a front loading machine that does well ... if there are issues, I guess my carbon is taking care of it as this has been my approach for over 14 months

that is a good point though Marc ... perhaps I will try to remember to do that :)
 
I do hot with extra rinse. Been doing it for couple years now


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