Do you really need a sock?

[Meaty24]

I have a big sock that catches the water flowing into the sump. It gets brown and dirty pretty quickly.

I always am fighting the nitrate problem and wonder if that is adding to the problem. Is it better to not have a sock at all? Do I need it?

 

[Salty Dog]

if its getting dirty that is a good thing, its stoping that nasty stuff before it goes back to the display tank.

 

[bigyankfan]

Does anyone clean these or do you just throw them out? I throw mine out but only because I don't know how to clean them. Any ideas?

 

[meschaefer]

They need to be changed out regularly or don't use them.

I change mine out about every three days. I throw them in a clothes washer with some oxyclean.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

I rinse them under high pressure and super hot water.Better than spending like 10.00 on them.

 

[Awibrandy]

When I was using them (which I will again at some point) I changed them out every 3 or so days and washed them in the washer with Clorox(only a cap full) and rinsed 4 X.

 

[da5speed]

In the summer i hit them with the pressure washer.

 

[reefman]

try taking it off n let your LR n LS have a crack at them for a couple of days. your nitrates may just get lower. depending on how established your rock n sand is, it may be a better option.
also your protein skimmer may not be doing its job efficiently.