sock or sockless sump?

[sawarf]

I am curious as to how many advanced reefers use socks in their sump and for how long and with what results. :confused: Are the benefits worth the hassles? Any tips to minimize the hassle? :wink_smile:

Yhanks in advance...

[RayAllen]

I use them and know of a couple of others. My reason is because I want my sump and display tp stay clean of floating detritus. You must be very careful with them though because they clog within several days; which could cause your nitrates to rise. Ive noticed that if I let it go a little longer my skimmer seems to skim a bit more. I pull mine and wash them in the washing machine every two weeks. Even with the socks and I have the thicker ones I still manage to get detitus in my sump that has to be siphoned or the skimmer sucks it up. I also do not shut off when I feed so if any food get pulled over it is caught rather than going somewhere I do not want it to.

Ray

[captexas]

Yeah, I think it's like Ray mentioned, people that use them have a plan/schedule in place for how long they use them and then wash them. They usually have a couple of them in the rotation. Besides cutting down on the junk floating around in the tank and sump, it also helps keep things from being sucked in and possibly damaging the impeller and seal of your return pump.

[coraline79]

I don't use a sock, but would b interested as well. I have had my sump/fuge running for about 3 months, and it seems to work fine without it.

[RayAllen]

I don't use a sock, but would b interested as well. I have had my sump/fuge running for about 3 months, and it seems to work fine without it.

They are not necessary, infact most people never will use them
The sump I have is built by Presicion Marine and is actually designed to hold the socks. A normal sump will not have the rings to hold them so If you do you will have to figure out a way to do this.

[Bill S]

I use socks. Yes, you DO have to maintain them. As for causing a nitrate ****e, I don't think so. The detritus that the sock picks up would have to be processed in your system SOMEWHERE. However, by physically removing it (maintaining your socks), you cut down on the amount of material your system has to dispose of.

[RayAllen]

I use socks. Yes, you DO have to maintain them. As for causing a nitrate ****e, I don't think so. The detritus that the sock picks up would have to be processed in your system SOMEWHERE. However, by physically removing it (maintaining your socks), you cut down on the amount of material your system has to dispose of.

Hmmm, there was another discussion on a diffrent board about them increasing nitrates and possibly phosphates if not changed enough. If uneaten food is carried to them and you do not remove the sock; the food will simply sit in the sock. How will this not cause your nitrates to possibly rise? The food hasnt been processed if just introduced to the aquarium.

[Bill S]

OK, let's look at it differently, Ray. Say you don't have a sock, so the food moves to your sump, and sits on the bottom. Or, moves back to your tank, and sits on the bottom or hides in a crack. What's the difference?

BTW, I have a timer on my sump return. It goes off for 20 minutes when I feed.

[RayAllen]

OK, let's look at it differently, Ray. Say you don't have a sock, so the food moves to your sump, and sits on the bottom. Or, moves back to your tank, and sits on the bottom or hides in a crack. What's the difference?

BTW, I have a timer on my sump return. It goes off for 20 minutes when I feed.

Valid Point, There is no difference. This was the question on the other board. Your answer makes perfect since.

[brewercm]

I have a rotation of about 6 socks that I've accumulated. I usually change out about once every four days to a week. Turn the used ones inside out and wash in the washing machine with no soap, just hot water.

[sawarf]

I have a rotation of about 6 socks that I've accumulated. I usually change out about once every four days to a week. Turn the used ones inside out and wash in the washing machine with no soap, just hot water.

Thanks for the tip! Great ideas...:applause:

[sawarf]

Yeah, I think it's like Ray mentioned, people that use them have a plan/schedule in place for how long they use them and then wash them. They usually have a couple of them in the rotation. Besides cutting down on the junk floating around in the tank and sump, it also helps keep things from being sucked in and possibly damaging the impeller and seal of your return pump.

I have sponges that serve as filter for return... Does that negate the need for a sock? My fuge (40 gallon long) is between where I would locate the sock and the return. I would want to keep the sponges even if I added a sock.

[RayAllen]

I too have a sponge in the sump. Basically in this order Filtersock, Skimmer, Sponge and then return

[sawarf]

Thanks for the feedback! (I love maast!) If all of my parameters are stable and where I want them, is adding a sock going to throw off the balance? Is the expected drop in available nutrients going to create an imbalance in the reef? I am not sure I see the benefits besides reduction of visible particles in the display. Are these visible particles potential food for reef inhabitants?

[RayAllen]

Most of the nutrients your reef feeds off you cant see, It is so small that it will pass throught the sock and sponge so I wouldnt worry. If the particles are big enough for the sock to catch you dont want them there. Makes for a clearer display.

[greenmako]

I use them...4 to be exact. I have a total of 12 in the rotation. Definately need to be cleaned at least once a week for the socks to work at 100%. Im not saying I actually hit that mark:wink_smile: but thats what I try for. I hose mine down then bleach them in the washer a few times. BTW- if you do decide to go with one watch your skimmer. Brand new socks have something on them that makes skimmers go crazy (over-flow) for hours. So best to wash them in the washer before you use them.

[RayAllen]

I use them...4 to be exact. I have a total of 12 in the rotation. Definately need to be cleaned at least once a week for the socks to work at 100%. Im not saying I actually hit that mark:wink_smile: but thats what I try for. I hose mine down then bleach them in the washer a few times. BTW- if you do decide to go with one watch your skimmer. Brand new socks have something on them that makes skimmers go crazy (over-flow) for hours. So best to wash them in the washer before you use them.

I too wash mine with bleach, come out new everytime.

[brewercm]

BTW- if you do decide to go with one watch your skimmer. Brand new socks have something on them that makes skimmers go crazy (over-flow) for hours. So best to wash them in the washer before you use them.

Definitely good advice on that part. Seen my skimmer go nuts before after putting a new one in.

[Bill S]

Do y'all worry about the residual detergent in the machine?

BTW, I've never thought my tanks "spongeworthy"... (Just a bit of Seinfeld humor)

[Ed]

I have several 'socks' that were made with a similar material from the fabric store. Bought enough material for a couple dozen for the price of one at the LFS (not including the labor to sew them up). I change them daily, machine wash them weekly with bleach and let them air dry.

[greenmako]

Do y'all worry about the residual detergent in the machine?

BTW, I've never thought my tanks "spongeworthy"... (Just a bit of Seinfeld humor)

I never worry about it. I run mine through at least 6 times though.

And LMAO!! I dont think any of our tanks are spongeworthy by Elaine's standards, and if they are then extra soap is the least of our problems.:rofl:

[sawarf]

I never worry about it. I run mine through at least 6 times though.

And LMAO!! I dont think any of our tanks are spongeworthy by Elaine's standards, and if they are then extra soap is the least of our problems.:rofl:

I have spent much more on my reef than my spouse in the last year. :wub: I would have to say my reef is definately spongeworthy!:heart:

[sawarf]

I never worry about it. I run mine through at least 6 times though.

6 times!:Timeout: I don't have that kind of time or patience!:not_talking: with 3 kids worth of laundry, I would never get a chance. Can I run once with bleach only and then rinse thoroughly with the hose?

[Ed]

I run mine through once with bleach and let them air dry. Never had a problem. Don't think rinsing again is necessary.

[Jamie]

hmmmm....not to dwell on the nitrate thing...but I am new and need a little clarification. bstreep, your answer to the nitrate issue made perfect sense...but then I was wondering why bioballs and other filtermedia is bad if all the stuff that gets collected in them is in the tank regardless?

[RayAllen]

I run mine through once with bleach and let them air dry. Never had a problem. Don't think rinsing again is necessary.

Do the same thing. One time through the wash with a little bleach is plenty. When I pull them out of the washer they are almost dry from the spin cycle.

[Bill S]

Bio balls aren't necessarily "bad". What's good about socks is that you can easily remove the waste by removing and cleaning the sock. Can't do that with bio balls.

[sawarf]

Bio balls aren't necessarily "bad". What's good about socks is that you can easily remove the waste by removing and cleaning the sock. Can't do that with bio balls.

I had to do that with my bioballs so i took out about 1/4 of them per week and replaced with live-rock rubble. I never saw a shift in my parameters but got out some filthy balls!:blushing:

[sawarf]

I run mine through once with bleach and let them air dry. Never had a problem. Don't think rinsing again is necessary.
:whew:I think that is something that I (and my family) might be able to live with. If i let the sock go for a couple weeks it will still remove more waste than I currently remove from the system.

My biggest concern is that my system is balanced and working well without a sock (all of my parameters are great) and is adding one going to throw this balance off?

[Ed]

As long as you change them regularly, it should only help things. You might be surprised when you see how dirty the socks can get. All of that 'stuff' used to be suspended in the water. I think of it as a way to 'polish' the water a little.

[apedroza]

I was trying the washer thing and I have a question. Will a bleach with some kind of mountain fresh additive be ok??? I didn't look at the bottle before pouring over my socks until it was too late. It says household bleach but its mountain spring scented. Will a few rinses take care of this???

[Ed]

I don't know how much rinsing it would take to get the scent out. Never used a scented bleach. I'd suggest getting regular bleach and running them through the wash again. I've never had any issues with regular (unscented) bleach.

[Bill S]

Ditto what Ed says. I'd bleach them again.