bio-balls or no bio-balls!

Good point, Powerman. Not only is low maintenance easier on the owner--but it also creates a scenario where tasks aren't likely to become neglected.

 

For anyone wanting to run filters, socks seem to be the best way to go. At least it is not an ongoing operating cost. Plenty of folks are happy with socks, but for the life of me I never understood rubble in the sump. It is not a significant amount to add any biological capacity, and it still collects stuff and needs to b cleaned. I like my sump free flowing and siphon what ever accumulates from time to time.

From when I did filter...it was the easiest task to blow off. And left too long that does effect bio filtering. I clean my skimmer once a week and call it good.

 

Agreed. My old sump was a wet/dry where I removed the bioballs, but used the tray at the top of the tower for my filter floss. It was a chore b/c the design was such that the tray was a "drawer" style affair, and opening the drawer meant moving hoses, took two hands, awkward positioning, etc. Plus the filter floss adds up in $ over time. I loved to put that off 'till tomorrow.

My new sump uses a filter sock. I own 3, change them out every 3 days, when two are dirty I wash them, and rotate. Every once in awhile I'll wash all 3 and go a day or two with no sock while they all air dry.

Comparing the two scenarios, socks are much better IMO.