Filter socks, does it count when?

[caferacermike]

I've noticed a lot of folks running filter socks as of late and it got me thinking, should not filter socks be placed out of the water in a sump? I'm wondering if when left in contact with the water that the dissolving particulate waste could be transferred to the tank's water much more quickly when left submerged.

Anyone want to take a stab at that? I'm thinking that they should be placed above the water line so that so what gets caught in the sock should stay in the sock. I realize that there could be several other factors such as when they get clogged, water could flow up and over into the sump thereby scraping the waste from the inside of the sock and carrying it over to the sump. The more I think about filter socks the less I like them.

[RayAllen]

The sumps are made for them to be submerged. Filter socks are at least 1ft long so you would need a lot of height to do that. there was a conversation about how often they should be washed. They are simply there to catch any large particles and act as a water clarifier. Not going to do any harm, because if they didnt catch what ever they have in them it would simply be floating around in the aquarium anyways or sitting in the bottom of your sump.

[JeffCo]

I have mine out of the water, really because I feel the water flows through much smoother.

[caferacermike]

Not necessarily are "ALL" sumps made to have the socks submerged out of convenience. I know of several custom built sumps being used by members (cough,andmine,cough) here at MAAST that were specifically built to hold the socks out of the water or to limit their exposure to the sump's waterline.

[C.Mydas]

Im no expert but wouldnt it possibly put air bubbles into your water if they are above the water line or are your baffles after it?

[caferacermike]

I haven't seen any that were 4' above the waterline or anything fun like that but are either about 2" in the water or right at the waters edge. And yes I do have several sets of bubble traps after the socks and yet again before the pumps.

[KAJeff]

I think socks are wonderful, I have mine hanging from the ceiling, better gas exchange when the water falls back to the sump, no spashing, just lots of bubbles as it goes back to my 32 gallon trash can, and the fish just love all the air bubbles, really cool!

[caferacermike]

OoooooooooooooKay............. Um sure thing Jeff. So are you here for entertainment or for the betterment of the hobby?