Do you use filter socks?

I've found a lot of conflicting info on the webs regarding the use of filter socks in sump. Some say no, some say yes (to using them), some say clean 'em, some say toss 'em. I am just curious what you 3reefers do. I recently switched to nylon rather than felt and now i can see all the pods and such that get stuck and am thinking about doing away with the socks all together. So what do you all do?

 

seriously....nothing? bump

 

I use a micron sock in my sump, it catches all of the nasty floaties in my tank, before the water passes to my skimmer and reactors, and UV sterilizer before going back into the DT. I change my sock every week and bleach it. After I bleach it I run it thru the rinse cycle twice before letting it air dry. DO NOT use regular detergent, DO NOT use fabric softner, this will get back into your water!

 

I have tried them and they can be a nitrate factory. I don't use them, I only run a skimmer and some live rubble

 

Those "floating nasties" is what your livestock just calls "food"... extra maintenance with no real benefit. Has no place on a reef tank except when you are dusting the rocks IMO..

 

i stopped using my sock for a while and added it back on to the system. i feel its part of why i can keep my nitrates at very near zero, with 3 feedings a day. i change it when i see it over flowing in the sump which is about weekly. i have my reactor feeding the sock not the water coming directly into the sump area.

 

nope no sock for me.

 

I completely disagree, as long as you do regular maintanence, changing your sock regularly, there should not be a nitrate problem. My nitrate is at zero, and I have allways kept a sock in my system. Without a sock, there is no way to catch the large particulates in the water column, and then it will either settle back into the DT, or accamulate in the sump. Also, I do not want big particulates getting into my sump, reactors, pumps, or UV sterilizer. All that would do is caulse something to clog and break. When changing my sock after a week, it is full of fish waste, uneaten food, and lots of other things that I dont want floating around my DT.

 

My nitrate and phos are 0 too, still no sock...

 

there are so many variables, its always good to take in all info and find what works best for you. after about almost 2 years of running this tank, i feel i finally found the filtration sweet spot on it.