Newbie Question “what is adding a sock” to the skimmer

[slater1182]

I have read in other threads about adding a sock to the skimmer to help remove small particles.

Question is:
What kind of sock? (some say nylon stocking, some say sock)
Do you add anything inside the sock to help remove particles?

thanks in advance.
scott

16k gallon plaster in ground pool
Phx, AZ

[Watermom]

Some people just use a piece of nylon hosiery. Don't have to add anything inside it. Or, you can buy something called 'skimmer socks' which is basically the same thing. It just helps to catch some of the finer stuff.

[Maxout]

You may also be refering to using a sock to add CYA (stabilizer) by putting it in the sock and placing it in the skimmer.

[larry2338]

AQUACHEM makes a Skimmer Screen (sock) that comes in a 3-pack. I buy them here @ Walmart in the pool supply section for ~ $6.00 for the package of 3 and have been happy with the fine silt they remove from the water.

[waterbear]

I have discovered that skimmer socks might actually be cheaper at a pool store. I have seen a 5 pack for $5 and change at one of the local ones!

[pairadocs]

I have discovered that skimmer socks might actually be cheaper at a pool store. I have seen a 5 pack for $5 and change at one of the local ones!

i agree - got it cheaper than above at big name national pool store starting with an L

[VOLDADDY]

I use them as well. It is amazing how dirty these things get in a couple of days.

[tphaggerty]

We have LOTS of pollen around here and the socks work great to keep that from going through to the filter.

In order to avoid making them too much work, I have 2 sets. I replace the dirty socks with clean ones every morning, then rinse the dirty ones in a bucket and let them air dry. Perfect for the next morning.

The only problem with using them is that when you see how much junk they pick up, you'll never want to stop using them.

[VOLDADDY]

tp- do they work pretty good after washing in a bucket as you described? I usually just toss them after a day or so. TIA.

[tphaggerty]

They seem to. I generally turn them inside out, shake them off (outside the pool area of course), stick my hand inside and swish them both in a clean bucket of water. Then I empty the bucket, refill and really swish and squeeze and pick off any remaining stuff. Then I let them air dry for a least a day - this really seems to be the key to having them continue to work. I've thought about adding a bit of bleach to the last soak, but instead I'm going to throw them in the wash with my Pool Rover bag at some point. So far, they seem to hold up pretty well.

I'm rotating 3 sets now (started with 2 before I started using the socks full time).

[waterbear]

I keep empting them, turning them inside out and washing them in the utiltiy sink and then let them dry. I keep them in rotation until they tear and then I toss them.

[virangos]

I have a D.E. filter and use the socks from the pool store when I vaccum.
Really catches the crud and saves me from having to clean and recharge the filter during and after vaccuming. Nylons work good to.

[CarlD]

Boy, compared to you folks I must seem like a neanderthal!

I have been using the same sock since the beginning of May--and it's now June. I rinse it when it's dirty in a bucket till it's clean then back in the skimmer. Why dry it? It LIVES in water. I figure I will use this one till it doesn't rinse, or gets a hole, or the elastic no longer keeps it on the skimmer, then I'll switch. It's not that I'm cheap, I just haven't seen a reason to replace it yet.

I even add chlorine, baking soda and Borax through it.

[Top Cat]

Some people just use a piece of nylon hosiery. Don't have to add anything inside it. Or, you can buy something called 'skimmer socks' which is basically the same thing. It just helps to catch some of the finer stuff.
Why is this necessary? I didn't know it would hurt anything for the particles to go through the skimmer into the filter.

Thanks!

[Watermom]

It isn't. I don't use them and it doesn't hurt the filter. Some people use them because they feel it will catch the finer stuff that the filter might not catch. Definitely not something you have to do.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

i agree - got it cheaper than above at big name national pool store starting with an L

Ditto :-)

[tphaggerty]

It helps cut down on backwashing, which is maintainence which takes time and money (for DE at least). Its is certainly not a requirement to use them. And, if you gets lots of pollen and fluff like we do, it can actually reduce the volume of water going through the skimmers once the socks are clogged up. Personal choice.

As for rotating, I do it because it is quicker for me. Take a whiff of one of those things coming out of your pool and then tell me you want to put it back in without some type of cleanup. Sunlight is a great disinfectant.

[CarlD]

As for rotating, I do it because it is quicker for me. Take a whiff of one of those things coming out of your pool and then tell me you want to put it back in without some type of cleanup. Sunlight is a great disinfectant.

:eek:

LOL!!!

Actually, I've never noticed ANY odor at all from it. Maybe I'm doing something differently from you?;)

The reason to use skimmer socks is like anything in life. The earlier you trap a problem/issue, the easier it is to fix. If you catch it at the skimmer, you don't have to catch it in the pump basket or in the filter.

[prh129]

If you have a cartridge filter, you get the biggest bang from using skimmer socks since that's less crud going to the cartridge and the less you will have to open the filter and clean the cartridge. It is much easier to take the skimmer basket out and wash the sock.

I have found that using a hose nozzle works great. If I'm lazy, I'll just spray the sock while it's still in the basket and dump out the junk which gets most of it. To be thourough, I take the sock out, turn it inside out with my hand inside and blast it clean.

One thing I did find - a couple of times there was so much pollen (once during vacuuming) that the flow through the sock got so restricted the suction from the pump caused the skimmer basket to split! Check the sock frequently especially during pollen season!

Peter