Changing filter socks

Discussion in 'Equipment' started by RSC, Apr 26, 2020.

  1. RSC

    RSC Plankton

    How often do I need to change my filter socks? My phosphates seem to be running high, and I'm thinking that I may be leaving them in too long.
     
  2. Adam Mulling

    Adam Mulling Wrasse Staff Member

    I don’t change them till they over flow
     
  3. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    When I used them I changed them every 3 days. Now I use filter cups with Polyfil in them. Just remove and throw away.

    I don't think filter socks will have much if any effect on PO4. How high is it?
     
  4. RSC

    RSC Plankton

    HANNA read 43ppb or 0.132 ppm, but I was only changing every two weeks, so now I will change every 3 to 4 days.
     
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  5. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    That's not too bad actually. If everything is happy and you don't have any nuisance algae problems I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you do try to reduce it with GFO be careful and monitor it closely. Bottoming out PO4 can be a ticket to a dinoflagellate bloom.
     
  6. RSC

    RSC Plankton

    Where do you try to keep your Parameters?
     
  7. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    I like to keep mine about 0.06-0.08. Lot's of really nice tanks have PO4 much higher than that. Mine has looked good in the past at 0.12-0.15. Stability is probably more important that the absolute number.

    I was proud of the last week or so of PO4 readings.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2020
    Jake atkinson likes this.
  8. Jake atkinson

    Jake atkinson Wrasse

    Yeah your po4 is not too high at all. Natural reefs are between .04 and .13 depending on the location. I wouldnt mess with that at all currently. You should be fine changing your socks out every 3-5 days. But I wouldnt let it go longer as I have observed nutrient climb if they are left in over an extended period of time. BRS did an investigates video on this also and I believe they found 4 days to be the sweet spot. Check it out when have some time. It's a well done video.
     
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