A Filter Sock Thread

dscort

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2009
242
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NW Ohio
How well does 200 micron socks polish the water for water clarity? Like the idea you had, also what I was thinking, wonder if I can make it work or if its worth it at this point.
The 200 keep it pretty clean. Still some suspended particles. I have a few dead spots in the tank though. 2 bullhead and a channel cat really stir up the massive amounts of poop they generate.

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DIDYSIS

Mantilla Stingray
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2012
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West Jordan Utah
Long story but funny and informative.

Well just for fun I did purchase 2- 7x16 200 micron filter socks the other day, got 2 for my new tank I will be setting up soon but figured for now I would place one on my 125 gallon tank, Installed by drilling a hole though the tubing going into the sump and placed a bolt though the tube and hung it off a couple plastic hangers I had around, been on there for two days+, They are the Eshopp ones that are heat sealed, Would recommend heat sealed socks over sewn together ones forsure. seem much higher quality. Funny thing, my tank is 24inches tall, overflow is empty with just a fitting at the bottom to allow the water to pool a little before going though the pipe into the sock then into sump, top of sock is about 2 inches from the sump water level. So at the same time I got the socks I also got a fire eel because I really wanted one, he managed to swim to the top of the tank, get though the over flow cutouts (must have been a tight fit), (he is about 10-11 inches long) fall to the bottom of the overflow, either get sucked or swim into the pipe and get flushed out into the filter sock, then climb, jump or whatever out of the filter sock and into the sump, Dare devil Fire Eel, I didnt know any of this until I was checking out the sock yesterday and all the sudden saw something odd and after moving a rock found my new fire eel in the sump, What a ride I bet that was and really impressive to make it out of the sock. I would hope that will be the last time he tries that but untill he grows a little more he can stay in the sump for now. I just hope one day to move everything out of the sump and stop using it as a grow out of odd fish tank, or breeding tank, but over all it works well for that so why now. Also in the sump is my main sp44 pair that stopped breeding after the son took over as tank champ, I hope the start breeding again and a freshwater lion fish with a couple feeders for him. Thats my story of adding a filter sock to my tank, Over all I am very happy with the sock, I can really see that it is catching allot of stuff (glad my fire eel did not die in there, I would be pissed) from the tank and am really happy with it, over all the tank is very clear and great, I am thinking it will need cleaning weekly but prob will be like my fx5 and last 2 weeks, I have an fx5 hooked up to the tank also, I know a little over kill but why not I like clean water, I plan to stock it with lots and lots of little cichlids soon as the 125 is mostly my grow out tank now, since I got the 450. I am thinking I will order 1 100 micron filter sock to try it on the tank and know what best to put on the big tank. I will take some pics later tonight to add to everything.
 

horseplay

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2012
39
0
0
nj
I have always wanted to try socks this thread made me actually do it. Running about 3000 GPH on a 325g tank. Two drains I run 200 micron 7x16. Have been running it for 3 days so far so good. The tank is lightly stock now since I am switching stock.

My question is how everyone washes their socks. I have the ones with plastic ring and it's the Polypropylene kind. Anyone tried putting them into washing machine?
 

Dan F

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2007
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Oregon
I have always wanted to try socks this thread made me actually do it. Running about 3000 GPH on a 325g tank. Two drains I run 200 micron 7x16. Have been running it for 3 days so far so good. The tank is lightly stock now since I am switching stock.

My question is how everyone washes their socks. I have the ones with plastic ring and it's the Polypropylene kind. Anyone tried putting them into washing machine?
I soak mine in bleach/water (about one cup per five gallons) and then blast them with a garden hose. Some people wash them in the washing machine (I used to) but I think this works better with the polypropylene ones as they are rather stiff and didn't come as clean as the polyester ones in the washer. Plus I don't like to do anything to make my wife dislike the hobby...:nilly:

By the way, nice that you bump my old thread as your first post! :headbang2
 

horseplay

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2012
39
0
0
nj
By the way, nice that you bump my old thread as your first post! :headbang2
When I posted I was wondering if anyone would notice.

I have been lurking for a while now. Great thread. It should be a sticky.


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David R

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Apr 26, 2005
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I turned mine inside out, blasted them with the hose to remove as much of the crap as possible, then put them in the washing machine (still inside out). Seemed to work fairly well.
 

DIDYSIS

Mantilla Stingray
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2012
5,543
310
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West Jordan Utah
I Do the same just don't turn them inside out at all. Just ordered 10 100 micron socks the other day I should be good for awhile. I do run 5 at all times though. :rolleyes:


I turned mine inside out, blasted them with the hose to remove as much of the crap as possible, then put them in the washing machine (still inside out). Seemed to work fairly well.


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Egon

Bronze Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jul 4, 2007
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I just cleaned mine today. Turned them inside out and blasted them with a hose outside. I'm not sure if I like them? On my tanks without filter socks my overflows dump water on to a peg board in my sump that trickles water over bio-balls. On top of the pegboard I put filter floss material I buy in bulk and cut to fit. Once a week I pull the dirty filter pad out and put another one in. It takes 5 min and cost almost nothing.

Today when I was hosing out my dirty filter socks I was doing the math on cost and time, I might be moving in a different direction in the future....
 

DIDYSIS

Mantilla Stingray
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2012
5,543
310
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West Jordan Utah
Only other thought I think I would do would be a sand or bead filter. But for the size of tanks and what not I don't think it is really worth it till you get into the 800-1k+ tanks. And at this point I would do the sand filter from hayward on any smaller tank. I wash socks in washing machine which is almost no work from me Yes I do a small rinse. I buy socks in bulk so they are about 4.30 each which is cheap. And each one lasts for many months.


I just cleaned mine today. Turned them inside out and blasted them with a hose outside. I'm not sure if I like them? On my tanks without filter socks my overflows dump water on to a peg board in my sump that trickles water over bio-balls. On top of the pegboard I put filter floss material I buy in bulk and cut to fit. Once a week I pull the dirty filter pad out and put another one in. It takes 5 min and cost almost nothing.

Today when I was hosing out my dirty filter socks I was doing the math on cost and time, I might be moving in a different direction in the future....


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