Sumps, filter socks and cleaning questions

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I got the filter socks I ordered in, and to be honest they look like something that needs to be cleaned often. Can anyone who uses them tell me how often, and what method they use.
This may not work as intended because I know it is going to trap the baby seahorses, and they are a bugger to try and get out of mesh.
I read on another site as I was looking for an answer that one fellow keeps a bunch of them, and swaps them out every few days. He keeps the dirty ones in a bucket of saltwater until he has enough for a small load in the wash machine. I don't want to be playing with filter socks that often, and at $7.00+ each I don't want to purchase enough to make a load of wash.
LOL...I'm looking real hard at the plastic ring...maybe I can rig a section of panyhose with a little floss on it and make my own filter bags. Thats what I do for carbon.
I'm going to use snakes idea of a power head with a hose attached to a filter bag, for the initial clean up of the sumps. If I don't do any filter socks...how often would I need to clean up the sump using that method?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Whenever enough detritus collects on the bottom. Depends on the tank really. Some tanks have more than others. I would say a good rule of thumb would be at each monthly water hangs or if you see a difference in your tank and water parameters.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450096
Whenever enough detritus collects on the bottom. Depends on the tank really. Some tanks have more than others. I would say a good rule of thumb would be at each monthly water hangs or if you see a difference in your tank and water parameters.
Once a month then....I assume you mean to clean the sump, not the socks themselves. I have the aquaripure filter and I do water changes maybe 2Xs a year.
Any advice on the socks?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Filter socks have to be changed out every three to five days. I personally like filter media like filter floss or polyfil and change it out every week. I can't bring myself to do more laundry then I already do. Most of my methods I like to set and forget for a week to a month. I don't like to have to remember to change the filter socks out every three days. But that's just me!!
Lately, I will do most water changes from my sump. I'll use a pump to suck up the detritus and pump it into a 5g utility container. I also have a barebottom tank now, so I'm using an airline tube to suck up detritus in the display tank.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450127
Filter socks have to be changed out every three to five days. I personally like filter media like filter floss or polyfil and change it out every week. I can't bring myself to do more laundry then I already do. Most of my methods I like to set and forget for a week to a month. I don't like to have to remember to change the filter socks out every three days. But that's just me!!
Lately, I will do most water changes from my sump. I'll use a pump to suck up the detritus and pump it into a 5g utility container. I also have a barebottom tank now, so I'm using an airline tube to suck up detritus in the display tank.
Well laundry doesn't bother me but I don't want to keep up a chore on the tank every three days. I'm going to rig something up with a power head to suck up the sediment on the bottom of the sump. Have it go through a filter and clean water back to the sump.
Thanks, you have been a big help...now find a way to do it.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
This is how I clean out my filter socks:
Well, first, I keep a couple on hand, so:
1) take dirty the sock outta the sump, have a clean one on hand, and swap em out
2) get a deep container.... like 5" high... and push it up and down... you'll see gunk comin out
3) push the sock inside out... and scrub side to side.... or squeeze repeatedly.... or push up and down.. either way... spend around 5 minutes straight doing this or until all the gunk has come out
4) change the water in the container while doing this... I usually change it about 20 times while cleaning out my socks.
5) let it soak in a very diluted bleach solution for 15 minutes
6) air dry and it's ready to use!
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
I simply have enough to swap mine out weekly, Sunday is cleaning day. So I go in and pull the 4 socks I have out, and put the 4 clean ones in. Before I start my maintenance on the tank that week I turn the washer on the highest water setting and let go through one cycle of straight hot water nothing in it. I then pour in a little bleach not much, as the agitation from the washer is what does most the work.
Once that is done, they hang in my closet for a week until the next cleaning cycle.
As far as a DIY. The same mesh or felt that they use to make it is sold at Walmart for like 5$ for a yard. You can simply fold it in half and trace the current sock with scissors and with a quick one time around a sowing machine you have a filter sock. You can even buy less dense material if you wanted. As far as attaching it to the O-Ring. A nice zip tie job will suffice.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450464
I simply have enough to swap mine out weekly, Sunday is cleaning day. So I go in and pull the 4 socks I have out, and put the 4 clean ones in. Before I start my maintenance on the tank that week I turn the washer on the highest water setting and let go through one cycle of straight hot water nothing in it. I then pour in a little bleach not much, as the agitation from the washer is what does most the work.
Once that is done, they hang in my closet for a week until the next cleaning cycle.
As far as a DIY. The same mesh or felt that they use to make it is sold at Walmart for like 5$ for a yard. You can simply fold it in half and trace the current sock with scissors and with a quick one time around a sowing machine you have a filter sock. You can even buy less dense material if you wanted. As far as attaching it to the O-Ring. A nice zip tie job will suffice.
Thank you for the DIY idea....I think that just might be the ticket for me. I have a pump running right now and I'm trying to suck up the sediment..it's so fine and just settles like dust. So I have a filter sock on a PH and keeping it stirred to try and catch what I can. I bet the corals are happy. I have found that the only problem with a sump is that it's on the floor, when you have messed up knees and back like I do it becomes a chore to do anything in there.
I hope I never get too down where I can't keep up my fish tank. What an empty life I would have.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450472
Thank you for the DIY idea....I think that just might be the ticket for me. I have a pump running right now and I'm trying to suck up the sediment..it's so fine and just settles like dust. So I have a filter sock on a PH and keeping it stirred to try and catch what I can. I bet the corals are happy. I have found that the only problem with a sump is that it's on the floor, when you have messed up knees and back like I do it becomes a chore to do anything in there.
I hope I never get too down where I can't keep up my fish tank. What an empty life I would have.
I know the feeling, old football injuries have made my knees shaky to put it best. The getting down part is fine, its the getting back up that is usually the problem for me. I can't wait until I finish my DIY LED Build I have already determined that it is easier to simply place the Apex controller on top of my canopy. Ordered a 15' extension cable the other day. Easier to climb a ladder than it is to keep getting down there.
Im also ordering the auto neck cleaner for my skimmer to reduce me having to get down there every day. The jury is still out on that, but for 150$ it's worth the chance.
As a side note with the DIY. If you find the sock is still sliding off even with the zip tie. try cutting slots around the neck and weave the zip tip through them. My friend does the DIY socks, and he has never ran into that problem, but its an option just incase.
Ohh yea, try not to let your filter sock get any light if possible. It almost becomes an algae scrubber if it does. My setup doesn't "require" filter socks, but I discovered that it greatly decreases the turbulence through my sumps when that are on it. I'll record videos tonight when I do maintenance, before and after!
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450488
I paid around $10 per filter sock... not worth doing DIY IMO.
I have 8 Filter socks with 4 running at a time. That's 80$ + shipping.... You can make that many with 5-10$ worth of fabric and some zip ties. Also they wear out after a while, so instead of spending another 80$ after 6-12 months, yo buy another 5-10$ of fabric and do it all over again. That's 70$ savings each time. I know some very nice corals that I can get for 70$ ala Rasta Zoas! or even a nice fish ala Exquisite Wrasse!
Flower probably wanted to change the socks every few days, so he would probably need 3-4 to get it time to fully dry. I let mine dry a minimum of 72 hours. So thats looking at a min of 3 socks per drain. DIYs are usually about saving money in the long run verse spending at the time.
Most DIYs cost more than commercial if you don't have the tools to do it. Also it takes like 5 minutes really to make them. Fold fabric, cut, stitch, zip tie.
I can understand your point if its not something that needs to be changed regularly. When my bags wear out, im switching to the DIY method myself and reuse the rings.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Agree the socks should be changed quite frequently and I'm not a sea horse guru, but I'm under the impression that they are fed heavily......
If that's the case I would suggest every other day.....You will have clean water running through decaying matter......
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450491
I have 8 Filter socks with 4 running at a time. That's 80$ + shipping.... You can make that many with 5-10$ worth of fabric and some zip ties. Also they wear out after a while, so instead of spending another 80$ after 6-12 months, yo buy another 5-10$ of fabric and do it all over again. That's 70$ savings each time. I know some very nice corals that I can get for 70$ ala Rasta Zoas! or even a nice fish ala Exquisite Wrasse!
Flower probably wanted to change the socks every few days, so he would probably need 3-4 to get it time to fully dry. I let mine dry a minimum of 72 hours. So thats looking at a min of 3 socks per drain. DIYs are usually about saving money in the long run verse spending at the time.
Most DIYs cost more than commercial if you don't have the tools to do it. Also it takes like 5 minutes really to make them. Fold fabric, cut, stitch, zip tie.
I can understand your point if its not something that needs to be changed regularly. When my bags wear out, im switching to the DIY method myself and reuse the rings.
That is a great idea, I will have to go over to Mom's and use her sewing machine. I guess you would just throw out the used filters when they get plugged, or do you clean them as well.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450127
I can't bring myself to do more laundry then I already do.
Just wait until your daughter comes, buddy!!

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, Flower, but when I clean out my sump all I do is turn the return pump off, mix everything around in the sump to suspend the detritus, and then pump it out. I'll fill it with fresh water and do that again, then I'll fill it with saltwater and start the return pump. This method seems to be the easiest for me.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
I tried the laundry method and it worked great! Saved me more than an hour of work, and cleaned all of the socks/pads perfectly! Will def be using that technique from now on!
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3453195
I tried the laundry method and it worked great! Saved me more than an hour of work, and cleaned all of the socks/pads perfectly! Will def be using that technique from now on!
Just make sure to wait a few days before us to make sure all the bleach has dried out. My general rule for myself is no less than 72 hours, even if my sump has to run without the socks. However, I think 48 hours will probably be enough.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric B 125 http:///t/389961/sumps-filter-socks-and-cleaning-questions#post_3450701
Just wait until your daughter comes, buddy!!

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, Flower, but when I clean out my sump all I do is turn the return pump off, mix everything around in the sump to suspend the detritus, and then pump it out. I'll fill it with fresh water and do that again, then I'll fill it with saltwater and start the return pump. This method seems to be the easiest for me.
Main pumps shut off....I attached a hose and a sock to my utility power head...I had to use white floss stuffed around the edges to seal the filter sock...and I cleaned my sump. It was very gritty, not just silt that the sock had trapped in it. I also stirred everything up, and restirred it every 5 minutes and just let the pump run and collect everything I could out of there. The skimmer was allowed to soak and run in vinegar overnight and then allowed to run in clear water the same...then I soaked it in clear water for two days more.
Everything is up and running smooth. I did attach a filter sock to the SH tank, and I will make sure to let it dry out 48 hours before reuse when I launder it. Thank you everyone!
 
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