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
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]
100 Micron
7" |
16 1/2" | | | 9316T56 | 6.84 | 4.69 |
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.
