I have lots of "stuff" settling out in the sump. I am thinking filter socks. Where do I get 3 or 4 and how do yall hang them. How often do you change and what micron? 100?
I had this same question 8 months ago. First....turn off your return pump! Your sump should have a flexible plastic tube draining water from the overflow. This plastic tube can detach from your sump. There's probably a plastic "lid" or sheet with a hole in it sitting on top of your sump. The tube drains water through this hole. Pry up both the tube and lid from your sump. Now notice that underneath the lid is a large 4" or 8" circle cut into the plastic. You simply pop the filter sock into this hole, then replace the tube and lid. Now turn your return pump back on and make sure the system isn't doing anything crazy. I don't know how dirty your tank is. I change socks by how inflated the sock becomes. With a new sock the bag looks soft and is easy to squeeze. As it gets dirty the pores clog up and it gets full and has trouble draining water. I change it about then, which for my tank is 2 or 3 times a week. If you let the sock get too dirty, water can bubble out towards the lid but there's a drain cut near the lid to allow this water to flow into the sump anyway. An old sock will also cause more particles to back up into your system, as well as be a nitrate haven. I like filter socks for mechanical filtration. They keep the water looking good and protect my all important skimmer and return pumps from clogging up. Some people don't like them for the chores they involve, as well as their filtering out a lot of invertebrate foods. On my system the ATO water level fluctuates as the filter sock gets full and empty, but so far no problems with my 75G. I like 400 microns. The finer the sock, the more you'll need to change it.
