In regards to sock plus floss, it depends on what micron the sock or floss is. For example I run 100 micron sock then 50 micron floss but like I said I may try a 50 micron sock then I could ditch the floss. But I'm curious how much faster it will plug up or if it will plug up much in my system.
Also because I have matrix and a marine pure bioblock I run floss after them before the pumps because of potential crumble or small pieces to keep out of my pumps. If I used ceramic, lava rock, or anything else I would still do it just to protect my pumps.
Even if the floss is not needed after the sock it does house BB, not as well as matrix but it doesn't hurt you. Same with matala mat, it's coarse as heck but I use it to help hold things or prop stuff up or spacers.
Example of using things for more then 1 purpose- for my sump it is a diy out of a 55 gallon tote, pipes go in through the top of tote and then I have a 5 gallon bucket with lid and the sock is in a hole in the lid. So if the sock plugs up water will flow off the top of the bucket inside the sump still as opposed to a sock in the lid of the tote then plugging and it will flood my floor. The bottom of the bucket has a ton of holes and inside the bucket I have medium foam on the very bottom then floss above. The floss would suck to the holes and not let the water pass through as well vs having something coarse under the floss. The bucket sits on top of matala mat to elevate it off the bottom of the sump.
After all my matrix and marinepure I have matala mat zip tied to a 1/2" pvc base to hold it up and then floss all the way across the sump that drapes over the matala mat to hold it in place and tucks under and around the edges of the bags of matrix so water can't bypass it, then my pumps hide behind.
Also because I have matrix and a marine pure bioblock I run floss after them before the pumps because of potential crumble or small pieces to keep out of my pumps. If I used ceramic, lava rock, or anything else I would still do it just to protect my pumps.
Even if the floss is not needed after the sock it does house BB, not as well as matrix but it doesn't hurt you. Same with matala mat, it's coarse as heck but I use it to help hold things or prop stuff up or spacers.
Example of using things for more then 1 purpose- for my sump it is a diy out of a 55 gallon tote, pipes go in through the top of tote and then I have a 5 gallon bucket with lid and the sock is in a hole in the lid. So if the sock plugs up water will flow off the top of the bucket inside the sump still as opposed to a sock in the lid of the tote then plugging and it will flood my floor. The bottom of the bucket has a ton of holes and inside the bucket I have medium foam on the very bottom then floss above. The floss would suck to the holes and not let the water pass through as well vs having something coarse under the floss. The bucket sits on top of matala mat to elevate it off the bottom of the sump.
After all my matrix and marinepure I have matala mat zip tied to a 1/2" pvc base to hold it up and then floss all the way across the sump that drapes over the matala mat to hold it in place and tucks under and around the edges of the bags of matrix so water can't bypass it, then my pumps hide behind.
