Cleaning Filter Socks

[Neo Jeo]

I just wash a load first with no detergent to clean out machine.
Then turn socks inside out and wash in plain water.
Then re-use.
I don't really get the bleach idea- the bacteria etc in the socks is already in the tank. Just washing them in water gets them clean enough, imo.

How about just a little vinegar? You think vinegar would be a better chose then bleach?

 

[Gungo]

In my case, I soak in bleach overnight and use my washing machine to run a 15-minute cycle, this leaves the filter sock brand new. Then I make sure to give them a full day in the sun to eliminate any bleach left over. 1 year using this method with no problem.

Quick tip: If you're using bleach and you think your filter sock are completely dry and cleaned, just smell them.. if they have a really heavy bleach smell it means its not completely dry and it will need more time in the sun, if you put this in your tank your skimmer will go crazy and your fish and corals may get hurt. Just make sure that the sockets don't STINK bleach.

 

[Neo Jeo]

In my case, I soak in bleach overnight and use my washing machine to run a 15-minute cycle, this leaves the filter sock brand new. Then I make sure to give them a full day in the sun to eliminate any bleach left over. 1 year using this method with no problem.

Quick tip: If you're using bleach and you think your filter sock are completely dry and cleaned, just smell them.. if they have a really heavy bleach smell it means its not completely dry and it will need more time in the sun, if you put this in your tank your skimmer will go crazy and your fish and corals may get hurt. Just make sure that the sockets don't STINK bleach.

Thanks. I read that bleach will evaporate in 3 days. So I will just leave them out for 4+ ;)

 

[ksfulk]

I wash my socks (12+) in the washer with a bit of unscented bleach, and then run it through a second time on a rinse and spin cycle. They then hang for 4-6 days before they go back into rotation. Bleach is easy to smell, and if you can smell it on your socks still, then they arent ready to use.

 

[tango0102]

I've used hydrogen peroxide for about 3 yrs now and no issues so far. I buy the 35% percent version and pour some in with about 20 socks to soak in the washer before starting the wash. I air dry them before using them. It's best to turn the socks inside out and dry them out before washing them.

 

[Jr'sReef]

Using bleach isn’t really all that bad. Bleach that we use is only about 5% and it’s then diluted even more when in the washing machine. On top of that, it reacts to light and water and basically neutralizes itself from bleach to table salt. NaClO —> NaCl
Once out of the wash let them air dry or leave them outside for two days and they will be good to go.

 

[Brien]

Ah, the ago old question, how do you clean your filter socks. I've tried them all and this is what I now do.

After I pull them out I rinse them in tap water, ring them out and drop them into a bucket. When I've got two pairs I then throw them in the washing machine. I use the sanitize mode our washer has with an extra rinse. I don't use any soap and they come out cleaner then I could ever get them by hand. I've never noticed any adverse effects after putting them back into my tank.

 

[Salty Carlo]

I soak them in hot water with bleach and let them sit over night then dump out the water and refill with fresh water and add Seachem Prime and let them sit over night again then rinse them under running water and let dry.

 

[lapin]

Bleach and peroxide kill stuff. A certain concentration coupled with dwell time is needed. Some things die quicker than others. Both chemicals turn stuff white. Peoples view is that, if it is white its not dirty. For the dirt part I turn my felt socks inside out. Rinse them. Keep them wet until its time for washing. A quick wash in the machine with plain water. Then let dry. They are not real white but the dirt is almost gone.

 

[Merv49]

Afternoon Reefers!

I have about 10 filter socks I’m ready to clean . I’ve heard good things about bleach also bad things. I’ve heard people use peroxide or people just wash them. I’ve heard people don’t use them or buy a new one every time .

This is what I’m thinking :
-Run washed with vinegar prior to washing filter sock
-Wash filter socks in washing machine with vinegar with an added rinse cycle on a sanitary mode .
- Let dry 3 to 4 days

My washing machine has a sanitary cycle which will heat up the water to kill all bacteria and germs is this something I should use or do you think it would ruin my filter sock ?

Any other ideas of how to clean them I’m really torn after all I read . I’m ready to clean them

You’re way overthinking the process. Throw them in the washer inside out with 1/2 cup of bleach, use extra rinse then dry for maybe 15 minutes and your socks are ready to use. I’m no expert but i’ve Been doing this for just about a year with no harm on my 200 gallon tank. Good luck

 

[Bob Escher]

Thanks for all the input.

Seems like bleach is the winner. I will buy some at the $ store that is insented.

I guess I’ll skip the sanitary cycle because bleach kills everything anyways

I use bleach a extra cycle WITH PRIME ADDED then in the dryer I always make sure I have enough on hand that the ones that I just washed will still wait a week before I use those never had a problem

 

[NS Mike D]

oxy clean in the washer. put a capful in, fill with hot water then toss in the socks, then let them air dry


I stopped using bleach in the laundry years ago after asking a "green" dry cleaner how they got shirts so white - his answer: oxy clean.

 

[don_chuwish]

They go in the washing machine, normal cycle with extra rinse, either OxiClean powder or Kirkland 'Ultra Clean'. A little bleach in the bleach dispenser too. After drying and sitting around for a long time I give them a manual re-rinse in HOT tap water, then rinse that out with RO before putting them in the sump.

 

[Amado]

I have them auto shipped every month
From amazon. 4 in pack replace it every week
Why risk $$$$ of fish and coral washing socks.

4 Pack - 7 Inch Ring Filter Socks 200 Micron - $26

 

[ebeez]

Similar to mochaclownlover ... but I use the pressure washer on them. works very well.

 

[Fish'n'chips]

I just wash my felt filterfsocks in the washing machine in hot water, heavy soil, with an extra rinse and no chemicals (I run an empty load through the machine first to get any soap residue out). The bacteria in the socks is part of my bio filter, why would I care if I kill it?

 

[DanConnor]

How about just a little vinegar? You think vinegar would be a better chose then bleach?

If you feel the need to complicate things, go ahead. :)

 

[DieHardPhotog-Reefer]

Just washed ours for the first time yesterday. Four of the 200 Micron Felt socks went under the strongest jet from the water hose (about 3 inches away) making 2-3 runs across each sock, front and back. They looked a lot better but obviously, there was still a lot of dingy remains when compared to a new sock. I wasn't about to put all that algae (both hair and chaeto) in our washing machine without a good rinse first. We placed the socks in the washing machine with bleach for a hot wash with two extra sanitary rinses then washed them again without bleach to help minimize any remains of chlorine. Lastly, they're soaking in a bucket of water with Seachem Prime additive for the night.

This may not be the routine we continue to use but this was the most reasonable attempt we came up with to minimize unwanted nutrients in the tank or damage to the fish. We have a pressure washer so that may be what we try on the next cleaning.

 

[Gints]

Rinse well in tap water shake the excess water and back in the sump. 2 years with no issues.

 

[Sarah24!]

I have never used any chemicals ever on mine. I have one of the HE front loaders and just put it on delicate sanitize, (reason for this) and also on heavy soil setting, with hot hot temp. The washing machines in time will rip the felt, etc not to mention clothes. But, I have found with my washer the sanitze setting uses a completely different water fill. It took me quite a while to believe that, and convincing until it was shown to me. When using sanitze the water doesn’t go through the soap trays like normal. So it has less of a chance of leaking old left over soap. I have turned the socks inside out, normal etc and they always come out clean. Some say the bleach will kill bacteria, but so does extremely hot water for most bacteria.