Filter sock or no Filter Sock

[Jason Mraz]

Hello all, I have a 125 gal Reef tank with about a 50 gal sump. I have a Coralife 1100p return pump (1100gph) and a Rio 3100 running my chiller. I currently jsut have bags of chemi pure in my sump with no sponges or filterpads or anything. I use my wet dry vac to suck up all the shtuff off the bottom of the sump once and a while. although this sorks pretty good I always make a mess when the vac ball checks and water leaks. I was thinking about using filter socks, I think it might be easier to change out the filter socks and clean them then vacuming the sump. let me know what you all think. And how many and how big of socks should I get. I have 2 drains on the tank so I was thinking about 2 socks.

[Jason Mraz]

I have been looking online all day, well I drove around to a few LFS today and looked to see what they had. One here locally had a dual Acrylic holder that has 2 inlets with 2 4" filter socks. I was thinking the 4" sock would clog to fast. Online I see CPR has a 7" with 2 drains on it so both my overflows would go into the 1 7" sock. Do you think that would clog to Fast? should I get 2 7" socks?

[Original Fin]

I think socks can help a lot in a reef, especially when it comes protecting your skimmer and return pumps. Problem is, you need to be religious about changing them out every couple days, or else they become nitrate factories. If you don't mind the extra maintenance, and you can stick to it without forgetting, go for it.

[Jason Mraz]

What size and how many do you think I need for my flow? I probably have about 1300 gph +/- a little going through my sump. Do you think 1 7" would be ok, say a 100 micron? I don't mind changing them once or twice a week but want to make sure it dosent turn out to be an everyday thing.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I was thinking about taking a small pitcher, cutting slits in the bottom, tossing in a small handfull of pillow stuffing and placing it in my fuge (when I get it up and running) with the overflow draining right into it . Easy to chuck the stuffing and replace it once or twice a week.

[okiestranger]

Hey James I'm also thinking about making a similar setup. I think twisted is using one of these. I'll have to go through and reread his thread to be sure. My refugium is setup for eshopps 100 Micron filter socks but were talking around 10 a pop. Think I could figure something out a little cheaper then that.

[Original Fin]

I would think with that much flow, the bigger the better, and I'd go with two if you have the space. Seems like you may have some experience running socks for FW, no? The big thing to watch out for is that you don't put the sock rim close to the top edge of the sump. When they get clogged, they tend to bubble over the tops and splash a lot. A shielded hanger design will keep messes and salt creep at bay.

Make sure you you keep extra clean socks on hand for when it comes time to clean them out. I know some people say they run theirs in the clothes washer or dishwasher with no detergent to clean them. I don't know about you, but I don't see my wife agreeing to that. Cleaning socks is a bit of a chore, and they never seem to come all that clean. Anybody else care to chime in on better ways to clean them?

[reefracer]

I don't use them all of the time but don't think it would be a bad idea. I have 6 so I can change them out regular and yes I do throw them in the clothes washer "after" I turn inside out and rinse under a faucet. I just put a small amount of plain bleach in the dispenser with just the socks in the tub. And don't ask the wife just do it,