cleaning filter socks

[bonomo53]

just went to clean my filter socks in hot water from my sink and the water was brown rusty are these to ok to put back into my sump or should i just go buy new ones

 

[fsu1dolfan]

As long as the filter still looks ok and you only rinsed with water then it should be fine to use again right away. Some people clean with a little bleach and then it needs to be rinsed throughly. Here is a thread with some helpful information... https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-reef-discussions/51796-filter-sock.html

 

[Reef Pets]

I have always put mine in the washing machine. I have several so I put in about 10 at a time with about a tablespoon of bleach and they come out looking like new. I then put them in the dryer for a bit then the socks are ready to go..

 

[swannyson7]

My wife doesn't allow me to use the washing machine, but I agree with the bleach statement. I put them in a 5 gallon bucket of water and add a little bleach. Before putting them in there, I flip the socks inside out and rinse them the best I can. Then I let them soak in the bleach solution for about 24 hours, followed by a rinse in dechlorinator.

 

[Tabasco1]

When you were done rinsing was the water running clear? Or did it stay brown? If it ran clear, I would re-use.

 

[berghia_R_awesome]

Washing machine and a half cup of bleach. Done it that way for years and it works great.

If your water from the tap was coming out rusty you should be worried about more than if your filter socks are safe to use when cleaned in that water. LOL!! Maybe I misinterpreted. Was the water from the tap brown and rusty or did the dirty filter socks discolor the water??

Jeremy

 

[bonomo53]

ok so can i put them int he washing machine even withe the plastic on them?

 

[mojo]

I have always put mine in the washing machine. I have several so I put in about 10 at a time with about a tablespoon of bleach and they come out looking like new. I then put them in the dryer for a bit then the socks are ready to go..

thats how I do mine. I dont dry them in dryer I let them air dry but I have 6 socks and use two at time. and change them once a week. So they sit for while before use. best way I have found and been doing it for years.

 

[Aquaph8]

I also use the washing machine with bleach. If they get really bad I will use extra bleach and then run them through an extra rinse cycle. I always just let em air dry, they dry really fast.

 

[stedfast82]

+1 aquaph8 that is the best way I have alot of systems and about 15 socks a week wash with bleach turn them inside out then run a rinse and hang dry best way

 

[xmetalfan99]

When I clean my socks:

1. I bleach them for 3 days.
2. Rinse in ro/di for 3 days
3. rinse for another 3 days
4. air dry for 4 days

My socks come out nice and white for the most part. Sometimes they have slight brown to them, but they are clean and useable.

 

[racefan]

When I take mine off, I rinse it out with the garden hose real good.Then when I'm down to my last sock I toss them in the washing machine with a cap full of bleach(I only have 5 socks) wash them on the extra long wash cycle then give them an extra rinse cycle.