Cleaning my Filter Sock...

[jden092901]

Ok, I have a new set up...120 with a 40 gal sump. I Have a filter sock, with a 4 inch ring. What is the best way to clean them up? Can I wash them, using laundry soap and bleach or oxi clean? Then I would wash them a few times after that using only hot water to clean it out? What is the best way?

Thank you,

Joshua

 

[Salt Water Crazy]

Washing machine with bleach and water only.... double rinse cycle, let them dry out all the way after washing.

(I like to rinse them one last time right before I put them in the tank to.)

 

[jden092901]

sweet...Thanks again man. You have helped me a TON tonight. My 120 is in my wall, we finished the basement and its built into the wall with its own room behind the tank. Its really nice! I'll have to post some pics soon. Its cycling right now, about 2 weeks into it.

Thanks again,

Joshua

 

[MikeB]

Washing machine with bleach and water only.... double rinse cycle, let them dry out all the way after washing.

(I like to rinse them one last time right before I put them in the tank to.)

Bleach is safe?

 

[Chris22582]

I wash mine the same way have for a long time. The bleach will evaporate when its hanging to dry so give it good enough time to dry well and no problems. :)

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

I stopped using bleach everytime because I could always smell a slight residual scent of bleach.

I just toss them in the washer on a double cycle and let dry. I'll bleach them to whiten 'em up every fourth time or so.

 

[ahayes13]

i wash mine one cycle with bleach and hot water, then i run them in the washing machine in hot water again twice. then i let them dry. the bleach has no harmful affects once they are dry.
i suppose i look at it as just like with babies toys and bottles cups ect you can use bleach to disinfect them and let them dry and then they are fine.

 

[Chris22582]

Hot water has more "stuff" in it. The water sits in the hot water tank for a good bit of time. I could be wrong but I beleave the cold water would be cleaner. I only use the hot water for the first wash cycle. :)

 

[gparr]

I soak mine, four at a time, in a 3-gal. bucket filled with hot water and a cup or so of bleach. Over the course of a couple of hours I "plunge" them up and down to help flush out the fabric. I then rinse thoroughly in fresh water twice, the last time adding a dechlorinator.
Gary

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Washing machine with a little bleach for me.

 

[Ladipyg]

I soak mine in a bucket too instead of using a washer...you may have residual fabric softener and stuff in there. I use Oxi clean and a stick to agitate them every once in a while. When I was using bleach...I used to do a final rinse with any good de-chlorinating agent like Prime to neutralize the bleach. The bleach may become inactive when dry but I always worried about re-wetting it in the sump. Also buy as many socks as you can afford...I have 10...just so I only have to wash them out about once a month....that's changing a sock every 3 days.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Here's another question for you sock runners... NYLON or FELT?

I've always used felt, and I hate how they start to "fray" over time. I've seen a few people recommend nylon before, but never seen it ran, and they're not available through most online fish retailers (other "filter socks" sites though).

 

[Ladipyg]

I use felt...never had mine fray but I don't use the washing maching and I think that's a little rougher on them.

 

[Reef Pets]

I do the same thing, washing machine with a little bleach and double rinse cycle. Then I put them in the dryer to dry out the chlorine from the bleach.

 

[Salt Water Crazy]

Here's another question for you sock runners... NYLON or FELT?

I've always used felt, and I hate how they start to "fray" over time. I've seen a few people recommend nylon before, but never seen it ran, and they're not available through most online fish retailers (other "filter socks" sites though).

I use nylon all the way.

 

[TORMENTOR]

Felt here and I put them through the washing machine with a little bleach the first time and then just water the second but I do it on a gentle cycle and don't have any issues with fraying.

 

[killingseed2000]

Washing machine with a little bleach for me.

+1 on the bleach

some Washing machine are not safe to use. some have an auto feed for detergent and avoid that. that what i have been told.

 

[starfish]

Let the sun dry your filter bags or use a dechlorinator!Chlorine evaporates fast in the sun!! Custom aquatics on line has 100 micron filter bags at a pretty reasonable price and they last a long time. You will have crystal clear and cleaner tanks. 100 microns work the best. They have plastic rings sewed in the tops and also a cord if you want to hang them. They also carry the ones with the molded plastic rings on top also. fyi Thought this might help if anyone is looking for them.