Drawstring Filter Socks
Our filter socks are excellent at trappingparticles floating in aquarium water to produce crystal clear water.
We have two types of filter socks: one type sockhas a drawstring, and the other has a plastic ring around the top allowing itto fit into a sock holder in a filter called a sump. In a sump filter dirty waterfrom the display tank pours right into the top of the filter sock where particlesare trapped. Then, clean water flows through the fibers of the sock into thesump from where it is pumped back to the aquarium.
When dealing with a drawstring sock you willfind that the flexible top is not easily mounted into a socket. Drawstringsocks must be tied off onto a spout or pipe from the aquarium and a lot oftimes you can tie it off when the pipe comes from your aquarium, you can juststrap it to the pipe that drains the water from your aquarium into the filterbag.
Our drawstring filter socks are constructedof very thick material with thick string to make it easy to tighten. Because thematerial is so thick, however, it will not close tightly around a small openinglike it would if the material were thinner. It will not fit snugly unless thepipe is large enough. For smaller pipes, the pipe will just drop past the mouthof and into the center of the sock, water will flow to the bottom. As long asthe socks are changed often, you shouldn’t have any water splashing back out.
These very heavy duty filter socks are constructed of durable polyester. While they are also available in polypropylene,we prefer polyester for our filter socks as they don’t seem to pill after washing,and have very little oil on them. Polypropylene can initially cause a proteinskimmer to go crazy; Polyester does not have those problems. Polyester socks are verydurable through multiple washes, so this is a way I like to go.
As mentioned earlier on, particles are trappedby this filter sock. The sock will start to clog from the very bottom and workit’s way up. If you don’t change and clean these filter socks, eventually thewater will overflow from the top. So, change these filter socks often toremove the nutrient load. If the organica stay in the filter sock, they willbreak down into phosphate and nitrate. Most hobbyists change them once every week or two if the load is notheavy. Some hobbyists with high end reef tanks will change them a couple of timesa week. Some even change them daily. Whatever works for you but the more oftenyou change these filter socks, the higher the water quality is going to be.
To change these filter socks first tap orshake the contents into a clean bucket (used solely for your aquarium) to seeif anything has been collected in there. Strange as it seems, hermit crabs,snails, and even fish are sometimes found trapped in filter socks.
Drawstring socks are available in three differentsizes:
There are different ways to clean thesesocks. Some people take them into the sink and rinse them off. The problem withthis method is that the 200 micron pores are very, very tight and are difficultto clean at the sink. Some people use a pressure washer and power wash them andthat works fairly well. My preferred method is to use a washing machinewith bleach. For details on this method please check our website; go to our resource page to find every single step. Don’t miss any steps. It’lltell you exactly what to do to get these socks clean and ready for your tank.
I like to get a group of dirty socks togetherrather than take time to clean one or two at a time. To do this, just remove thedirty socks from the sump (be sure they are free of live creatures) and putthem into a plastic bucket with a lid. Once a group is collected, I follow thesteps to wash them in a washing machine. For this method, buy them in bunchesso as to always have a couple of extra ones ready to use each time socks needchanging.
Your filter socks are ready to be thrown awaywhen their threads begin to wear down or the seams pop open. Sections of the sockmay become thinner as the material wears down; as you start to see the materialbecome thin, toss it away and purchase new filter socks to maintain ideal water quality.
Aquarium Felt Filter Socks with Drawstrings - 200 Micron, Custom Made, Made in the USA
Aquarium Felt Filter Socks with Drawstrings - 200 Micron, Custom Made, Made in the USA
Aquarium Felt Filter Socks with Drawstrings - 200 Micron, Custom Made, Made in the USA
