Filter Sock Poll

Curious on the general consensus with using filter socks. Yes, no, sometimes? Thanks in advance for chiming in!

 

I do and have in all of my tanks through the years - I'm seriously considering losing it though with my new setup - it turns into a nitrate factory sitting in the sump, but if I take it out, where does all that go?

 

Same here, always have used one so I voted 'always'. But thinking about getting rid of it as well for the same reason. Interested in seeing the results of this...

 

I voted "always" even though it is a Pita, I actually have to bleach and wash about 25 tonight, yay . The process of turning each one inside out and then bleaching, washing, re-washing, then putting them into a bucket with de-chlorinator, then hanging them out I kinda get annoyed at... but I do it and will prob always do it

 

I vote always!

 

I never run them unless I'm trying to remove something specific. Like when I stirred up sand or when I'm about to dust the rocks for debris. Other than that it's not worth the time. If you have a working skimmer and are able to keep N and P low without mechanical removal, then all you are doing is removing the food you just paid money for and put in your tank.

 

More skimmer, more better? I voted never. I tried em and didnt like em. It also makes sense to me that particulate waste caught by my skimmer is out of my water column. In a filter sock, it isnt.

 

I use the E-Shops 4" sump filters and cut it in half. I zip tie the bottom shut and use it. When I pull it out, I cut off the sock from the plastic ring and zip tie the bottom half of the original sock to it. With that, I get two filters from one. I filter 100% of my sump water, and it usually lasts about 3-4 days. My tank is much cleaner since I started filtering.

 

Voted when i feel like it. I have two. Before I clean the tank ill put one in. Clean it and do a water change then leave it for a few days and take it back out. Few days later ill repeat the process then clean them both and leave them out for a few days. I like having them but also feel its best to allow the tank to run sockless. Sure helps keep the sump clean from debris.

 

Having run tanks with and without them, I certainly prefer to run a tank WITH them.