A Filter Sock Thread

[Dan F]

Some socks last allot longer than others. I have purchased multiple different types from MC masters and found one type built really really well and others weaker. If your looking to but some anytime hit me up.

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I'm curious - which ones last the longest?

just placed an order for ten 25 micron on mcmasters. i like these because they have the heat-welded seams and are the glazed finish. I think they're more durable and efficient because of that. cant wait to use these. my old 100 micron socks are beat!View attachment 857840

The glazed finish is a must - without it you are liable to get stray fibers in your sump. The last socks I had were heat-welded and it does seem nice and clean. My latest batch are sewn, but they did cost 30% less than the ones from McMaster.

Just received my batch of 5 micron socks from Mcmaster. Lasted a whole 24 hrs before clogging. Hopefully that interval gets longer as the water gets cleaner!

Swyped from my Rezound

Wow - I am one lazy MFKer - I use 200 micron socks so I only need to change them every two weeks or so.

geeze 5 micron socks? Is the eye capable of seeing particles that small?

Not my eyes, anyways.

 

[DIDYSIS]

Alright here is my findings- Wish I was home and had my camera so I could show you the different socks and how broken and crappy the others are-

First time I ordered these, 6 of them incase one went bad (I need 5 for 2 sumps), and still only using 5 and they are amazing, catch crud like no other and fill up really well, and fast because they are built well, the plastic rings are really well built and the handles are also really well built, seems like the matterial is coated or just tough, not super soft to the touch, When these get filled and need cleaning as you remove them the water stays in them, it takes a long time for them to finally drain out so you can tell they are built solid and hold well/Catch everything, when washing them you dont get fuzz balls all over the place, they stay together.

[h=3]Heat-Welded Felt Filter Bags with Pressure Seal Retaining Ring[/h]

Standard Polypropylene Felt Bags—Max. temp. is 194°F[TABLE="class: ItmTbl SideBySideTbl"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 7"]100 Micron
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellIndentPivotMin ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceRelSpec ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]7"[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceRelSpecEnd ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]17"[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceSpec ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"][/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceSpecBefrPartNbr ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"][/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPartNbr ItmTblColSpacePartNbr ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover"]9299T16[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPrce ItmTblColSpacePrce ItmTblColSpacePrceAftrPartNbr ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]6.12[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPrce ItmTblColSpacePrceTblEnd ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]4.94[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/399/=kkq17g




So thinking all filter socks were equal and not checking my history and thinking I knew what I ordered I ordered 10 more of these (BAD CHOICE)

[h=3]Heat-Welded Polyester Felt Filter Bags[/h]
[TABLE="class: ItmTbl SideBySideTbl"]
[TR]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellIndentPivotMin ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceRelSpec ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]100 Micron
7"[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceRelSpecEnd ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]
16 1/2"[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceSpec ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"][/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellSpec ItmTblColSpaceSpecBefrPartNbr ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"][/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPartNbr InLnOrdWebPartLayout_ItmTblPartNbrCell ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell AddToOrdBxCreated HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover"]9316T56[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPrce ItmTblColSpacePrce ItmTblColSpacePrceAftrPartNbr ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]6.84[/TD]
[TD="class: ItmTblCellPrce ItmTblColSpacePrceTblEnd ItmTblContentCell NoWrapCell HighlightAct ItmTblRow_Hover, colspan: 1"]4.69[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/399/=kkq8z3

(first thought when arrived) The plastic rings are really thin, the handles are thin, and the filter bag its self just does not seem to be the same quality. They were super fuzzy but maybe that will help them catch more stuff and clean easy. (lesson leaned)

First use the bag filled and seemed same as others, washed and then had to pull all sorts of large fuzz balls out of the socks, 2nd use the bag did not even fill on my small tank and the large tank I could tell the same was happening, the water was just running out of the bag and they never filled up or clogged, When I remove them from the holders the water just runs out of them right away. Replaced them and went back to the other which filled up in about 3 days ( The old bags were about 3months old at this point and had been washed in the washing machine weekly) After 4 months of use the socks are still having fuzz come off during the washing to this day (I would love to throw them away but I purchased them so I will use them till they break, if people are going to come over I make sure the other socks are clean and throw them on the tank the day before so they can clear it all up really well as they just catch better) With these socks I had a handle break on two of them after only 2 months of use and at this point I have 5 with broken handles and I have 5 with the rings cracked and comming apart. (3.5 months of use) Split from the top lip all the way to the filter bag material. I did throw 2 of these socks away last week as they were all broken up, soon to follow will be another couple.


So over all I would highly recomend the first set of filter socks I ordered as they are great for our filtration type. The bags last a long time and are really well made. For my next order I just need to decide 2 things, do I attempt to try something different and see if they work, and do I order the 32inch sock vs the 17inch?? I really want to try an NMO bag but will the risk be worth it?? I have already found what works really really well and also another item that really sucks and has been a total loss of money.

 

[DIDYSIS]

depending how many you need for your setup I would not open them all at once, only open what you need and try them before you open them all, any unopen you can return, The plastic rings and handles are junk and the material for those socks was not very nice.

just placed an order for ten 25 micron on mcmasters. i like these because they have the heat-welded seams and are the glazed finish. I think they're more durable and efficient because of that. cant wait to use these. my old 100 micron socks are beat!View attachment 857840

 

[jcardona1]

McMaster, like any company sources their products from multiple places. They don't make their own filter socks. This latest batch I received actually came with a label sewn in so I snapped a picture of it:

Which was for this filter sock: Tear-Resistant Polyester Felt Filter Bag, 5 Micron, 7" Diameter X 16-1/2" Height # 6835K12. They're built really strong and look like they'll last a good while.

I looked up that company but it looks like they don't sell to the general public, need to go through a retailer like McMaster http://www.fsifilters.com/filter_bags.php

 

[DIDYSIS]

I have a new one with the tag still on it and such ill post it up later.

 

[dxdx]

Does anybody have any creative ways to clean filter socks that don't involve the hose (disconnected during winter here soon) or the washing machine (wife would literally murder me).

I have the ability to switch to a flat micron filter material in place of socks, the only problem is the area for this flat material is less than one sock so it clogs up pretty quickly. The good thing is it's very cheap so I just throw them away when they get dirty.

 

[jcardona1]

^ HA! I read about wife complaints a lot regarding washing filter socks in the washer. What's the big deal? It's not like if the socks ruin the washer or make a mess. All the stuff gets drain out

 

[Drstrangelove]

geeze 5 micron socks? Is the eye capable of seeing particles that small?

Nomrally, the limit of vision is such that you can't 'see' individual particles smaller than 20 microns, but your vision can detect the effect that an accumulation of numerous smaller particles can have on light. Thus, tobacco smoke, which is composed of particles of 2 microns or less, is easy to see.

 

[dxdx]

^ HA! I read about wife complaints a lot regarding washing filter socks in the washer. What's the big deal? It's not like if the socks ruin the washer or make a mess. All the stuff gets drain out

She does the wash, so I leave that up to her to decide. Must be something about fish poop in the same container where our clothes are cleaned, even if it is drained out. I tried washing them out in the kitchen sink, secretly, but she could smell it and made me open the windows when it was 40 outside. Still, the sink sprayer wasn't powerful enough and didn't clean them well anyway.

I've got more important things to pick battles over, so....

 

[MonsterPeacock]

Killer thread gentlemen!

Let me just throw my two cents in here, after I built my DIY 400 gallon and was working out the filtration details I came up with these - Monster Socks - http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?508202-Monster-s-DIY-Monster-Sized-Filter-socks-*Stop-changing-out-filter-socks-everyday

I got tiered of having to change out socks everyday, I have been using these for some time now and have no complaints and others have also copied them from MFK after reading my thread and seem to love them too - Just thought I'd share