Just wondering what you guys use to pick up all the particuls?is floss better then the sock?
I use this thin sheet of foam filter folded to line a basket under the overflow pipe, or in a tray.
Robot or human?
My sump seems to have the same thing as Ken. I have a basket that the water from the DT flow into. I use blanket matting that crafter use to make blanket in to. I buy from AC More for about $8 and it last me almost 2 month sometimes. I cut to fit that lined the basket. I change it about every 2 weeks once its completely dirty and starting to overflow out of the basket.
I once use filter sock, but it seems to get clog up very fast and becomes nitrate housing. You must have several of them for replacement. The ones I had, I couldn’t really clean them unless I put them in the washer. Hand washing it was not getting them clean enough.
Pros and con between the 2, my opinion. Filter floss doesn’t catch all the minute particles to where the sock catches lots of it.
Floss can contribute to Nitrates as well if neglected for too long.
I use socks on several of the tanks I take care of, but typically replace them every 3-4 days. I usually tell people they can help if they ritually replace them every 3 days, if they find they can’t then just stop using them. The tanks I use them on also have controllers with feed buttons set up. If the tank is fed with coral food the pumps will shut off for some time to allow the corals to get a chance to feed before they hit the socks.
I have run many very successful tanks with out them. They can help a lot, but often because of the required frequent maintenance I often recommend leaving them out.