Mechanical Filtration, Or Not?

werkkrew · #1 01/09/2008, 07:13 PM

I have a sump mounted filter sock that I was thinking of installing but I have read a lot of mixed feelings about this sort of filtration.

I have a refugium, so my thinking is that mechanical filtration for me means:

One more thing to keep clean.
One more thing which can clog.
Something which might prevent proper food/waste circulation around my tank for the biology.

That being said, having something else to help remove waste doesnt seem like a bad thing.

Should a protein skimmer be enough to get the job done?

Thoughts.

bertoni · #2 01/09/2008, 07:24 PM

People run nice tanks with and without filter socks. Personally, I am too lazy to clean one, and would worry about clogging, but using one might keep the water a bit clearer.

werkkrew · #3 01/09/2008, 07:53 PM

Thanks. Im going to leave it off for a while, and see how the water looks once there is some stock in there.

Its nice to know I have it sitting in my crate of stuff in the event I decide to use it.

ACBlinky · #4 01/09/2008, 08:00 PM

After seeing what collects in my filter sock I elected to continue using one even though it adds a small daily chore. What I do is switch it out for a clean one at feeding time -- I'm at the tank anyway, it just makes feeding time a 5-minute job rather than a 3-minute one.

I collect dirty filter socks in a bin of water and bleach, and when it's full at the end of a week or two (I think I've got about 10 socks in rotation ATM) I take the bucket down to the laundry room, toss the socks in with a cup of bleach and wash them on the white (hot water) cycle. They come out white and nearly dry -- I just lay them out to fully dry for the afternoon and then put them back into the fish cupboard.

All in all it's a pretty easy job and it really keeps the tank cleaner - the amount of detritus a sock can trap in a 24-hour period is amazing.

werkkrew · #5 01/09/2008, 08:10 PM

Yeah, Once I have stock in my tank I will likely put it back.

The main reason I removed it was because it was kinda cramped in my sump with the sock and the skimmer in the same chamber. I might hang the skimmer on the outside of the sump since I have that option and put the sock back on. Not sure yet.

I dont have more then one sock atm but if I had a couple of them I could see how it could be very low maintenance.

ihopss · #6 01/09/2008, 08:41 PM

I do not use a sock at this time, I think it hinders my pods from multipling.

ahullsb · #7 01/10/2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
People run nice tanks with and without filter socks. Personally, I am too lazy to clean one, and would worry about clogging, but using one might keep the water a bit clearer.

What would be the worry in it clogging?? I'm curious because every once in awhile mine overflows before I have a chance to change it. (bad husbandry I know) Are you referring to the fact that at that point it would be a nitrate trap?

bertoni · #8 01/10/2008, 02:41 AM

I mostly worry about something in the tank overflowing because a line got plugged completely.

tmz · #9 01/10/2008, 03:07 AM

I use one during maintenance or when I'm blowing detrius into the water column. As an example. I opened my tank up to clean some powerheads today and peeked into the megaflow boxes. They were full of aiptaisia even though I don't see any in the display( peppermint shrimp on the prowl I guess). I knew if I cleaned them up many would wind up in the drain and be distributed throughout the tank. Instead they're in the sock. i do not leave it on for the reasons noted above.

Some use them to stop microbubbles which can be accomplished with baffles.

k