I Stopped Using Filter Socks After 9 Years and Here's Why

[@FishOfHex]

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[@LeeGrill]

I would love to get rid of filter socks but I see the amount of gunk they remove. Please give us a follow up and let us know how well this works for you.

[@jasonrandall3979]

What do u think of media cup in the sock holes...and put filter floss...no washing..just reach in and throw it away. Won't catch all the fine fine particles..sump stays clean. Big particles removed and the skimmer should still run consistent. Filter floss like 5 dollars for a huge bag

[@c.j.macmahon8714]

maybe add some poly-fil floss batting on top of filter sock compartment with your grates you made? I have replaced filter socks with using floss, sump runs dead silent, and its waaay less time to replace the batting.

[@SteHughes90]

Mesh socks are 100x better. You get all the benefits you list except solids like food are caught. The mesh socks can be rinsed in about 20 seconds in a sink.

[@jonathanphan4642]

Does stuff just disintegrate for you if you don't change them out? Every time I look in the mesh sock, it is empty.

[@insanity4224]

@@jonathanphan4642 nope, mine get blocked but it takes longer. But they are not as thorough as the thicker stuff.

[@BlazedReefer]

​@@jonathanphan4642 its cause they are shit compared to fabric socks. Many research shows this

[@charlesgilliland532]

@@BlazedReeferwhere is the link?

[@NinjaSushi2]

8:40 lol I do that too! Shopvac crew!! Shopvacs are perfect for cleaning the mulm.

[@joekidwell4773]

I work 12 to sometimes 14 hours a day, I too have ditched the socks, I just don't have time for that stuff. I have a tomato clown pair that makes it hard to make sure everyone is eating, so I feed heavier. It helps keep nitrates stable.

[@flyinbryan7151]

You had great discipline with those socks..wow!! I gave up filter socks about a year in to this hobby even as a noob, that was 11 years ago. I’ve tried going back them every so often, but, imo they are just too much work for too little gain.

[@NinjaSushi2]

Thanks for the advice! I was about to buy some. Lol how do you guys feel about foam pads in a sump?

[@Nathan-wn5mc]

Great video. I always hated how the socks would make my protein skimmer go crazy when they would get tok dirty. I'm going to try this and just remove the socks. Thank you. 😊

[@lincolntowns1480]

Every component to a reef tank is a tool to accomplish a certain task or problem. If you don’t need a wrench, you don’t need a wrench

[@redneckgearheadgarage495]

I never installed them as i picked up my sump cheap because the sock holder was ceacked. Easy fix. i just never got around to it. My params were spot on, so i left the detritus just collect, clean it out once a month

[@steevareno2002]

Filter floss in a filter cup. Done.

[@Goldwell.]

Thank you 🙏

[@kevinhelfrich1705]

If money weren't a concern, and you had the space or were setting up a new system, do you think a filter roller would be better? I am trying to decide which route to go with on a new tank design.

[@MaxelWong]

Rollers work well for systems with a sump

[@FishOfHex]

I would definitely try it

[@kevinhelfrich1705]

@@FishOfHex thanks for the reply, Travis

[@Storytimeadventures2]

i know this is an old video but if you still dont use socks and have noise use a high micron sock and cut a hole in the bottom. works great and wont clog.

[@RobbysReef]

After 2 a year hiatus I resumed filter sock use. Only reason was I couldn't stand the amount of detritus build up in my sump, provided my skimmer does work better without them, but the minimal build up in is worth the sacrifice for me. I use mesh socks so the large stuff gets trapped while allowing enough through for my skimmer to still work good. When I use felt socks my skimmer basically does nothing.

[@thadj74]

I started using the mesh socks a cpl of years ago. I saw the same results.

[@Fred-eg9sx]

I use a 1800 psi pressure washer and it cleans the socks very well very fast. It only takes me about 1 minute and half a gallon of water to clean 1 4 inch sock.

[@amoore311]

It’s easier for me to change the filter roller every 6 weeks, than it is for me to have to vacuum the sump every 2 weeks.

[@NinjaSushi2]

True. You have to buy new rollers no?

[@amoore311]

@@NinjaSushi2 if you buy the rolls oem instead of through places like BRS, they work out to something like $11/roll. 1 roll lasts me ~2 months. Precision Converting LLC is who I buy the rolls through.

[@NinjaSushi2]

How do you feel about foam pads in a sump? 30 and 40 PPI for biological filtration?

[@FishOfHex]

I use them after a water change to grab extra detritus but outside of that its just like a filter sock change it often

[@ericacosta9071]

When taking filter socks (mechanical) off line permanently, was there any param swings? I’d LOVE to get away from FS and let my chaeto be the replacement. Just been scared to lose acros due to it 😅

[@russelmuldowney8736]

You can always slap down a filter pad there periodically

[@roberttorres7208]

if you didnt want to change the socks anymore might be able to just switch to cotton. 3d print some cotton holders where the socks go. Then you can throw them out as you please

[@fishingmontana1564]

I have been looking into getting a roller mat or what ever you call them for my sump for my biocube but I am not sure what one to get at the point I have a 10g tank that I am trying to figure out how to make my baffles or just how to set it up in general

[@gmacreef]

I've tried several brands of mesh filter socks and always go back to the 200 micron ones. Felt are too hard to clean

[@PaulieWalnutss]

Travis! How's it hangin Hope all is well!

[@FishOfHex]

Left and down

[@BlackGoldReefing]

I hate filter socks my self. Plus the pre-rinse before putting them in the washer was a pain. I have been running a reef mat for 3 months now and man what a game changer.

[@mxr248]

I have a sump that is custom made where one end is higher up with a vertical sliding door and 2 sliding shelves. I have used mat typed cloth that’s just like the socks for over 15 years. The shelves are like little drawers with holes drilled in the bottom so water runs through the mat then through the holes. Then when it gets pumped out it goes through all lifegard mechanical, chemical, UV sterilizer. I’ve had them for over 15 years as well..

[@enricojaun2880]

Interesting. Ive been reefing since about 2003 and only started using sox about a year ago. Its been a game changer for me and was a dramatic improvement. That said i dont have fish making them smelly...

[@rmay6850]

Filter rollers wit a trigger sump and I have never looked back… One of the best things I have done for my tank

[@rolisreefranch]

I've been considering the same thing. Getting rid of a filter roller. Most tanks are over filtered IMO.

[@tomg5405]

Powerfilter work best

[@DanGrubb1967]

Here's one that you failed to mention about filter socks this is one of my biggest complaints think about all the cocoapods that gets caught up in them

[@charlesgilliland532]

This is something I have yet to hear someone talk about. There has to be a percentage removed each time you clean them. Every three days that’s a lot of pods

[@canadianreefmaster]

Welcome to the light :)

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

I’ve never liked filter socks I agree with what you said. Unless it’s a planned deep cleaning day I’ll never use em 💯 #KeepDoingWhatyouDo

[@briansbrain3127]

I use filter cups and Poly-fil stuffing. Change it out once per week on trash night. I will never wash a nasty sock again lol

[@tmrvstyle]

I quit using filter socks day one, don't see the point of I'm not going to change them

[@russelmuldowney8736]

I've only run a filter sock for about 9 minutes in my life

[@Sec_coach]

I never used this crap Filter floss all the way

[@filipinoreefer]

Are you still running no filter sock to this date? What do you have in supplement and the water running noise…

[@FishOfHex]

I only use socks for about 24 hours after a water change

[@Sammy31Dee]

Yea on my frag tanks I use the nylon on on one overflow....other wide open into sump...main system has the 7" sock but it's always chock full of brittle stars so they must thrive on the leftovers bc I'm always chasing nutrients in this system... might have to give up the sock on this tank too or just use the nylon ones which I do like but even they clog weekly on another system I have that use 4 of the nylon socks ....I only run two on that system and nutrients relatively always good and it's a 6 month old system