----Filter Socks----

[dh350twin]

Hello reefers,
Wanted to start a topic I know has been discussed before.
How is everyone cleaning there filters socks?
I take them all and put in the washing machine add about a half cup of bleach and run on sanitary cycle. Then run another cycle without adding any bleach to rinse properly.
I know you can use hydrogen peroxide I am just unsure if you can use it the way I use bleach and just pour it into a wash cycle?

 

[fragit]

I do the same thing you do.

 

[dh350twin]

I do the same thing you do.

I have been reading the bleach doesn't actually clean them it just bleached the organic waste white so they look clean.

 

[dh350twin]

Bump. I'm sure there's more reefers out there to chime in?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Lots of good info here.....

http://reef2reef.com/threads/sock-ology-my-filter-sock-experiences.237104/#post-2765838

 

[jsker]

I just make them for .13 cents a piece and toss them.

 

[Irsug1]

I wash in vinegar turned inside out in my washer.

 

[cracker]

I wash mine inside out with a little bleach then out in the sun and air to dry. As for bleach only bleaching the detritus? Before I wash them the water doesn't pass thru after a wash the water does. I suppose the actual washing removes and the bleach just whitens it ? I would think the washing removes the bleach sanitizes. That would be an easy experiment. I think I'll try and see.

 

[alyee5]

I take them outside and use a hose to get as much gunk out as possible; turn inside and repeat. I then soak them in water in bleach for a day, then rinse with and soak in water with some prime then hang them up to air dry. Since I purchased a Foxface and feeding Nori the amount of seaweed bits caught by the filter sock makes cleaning more tedious. I ordered some mesh filters to see how that works.

 

[dh350twin]

I just make them for .13 cents a piece and toss them.

Any more details on how you do this?

 

[jsker]

 

[Susan Bates]

Hello reefers,
Wanted to start a topic I know has been discussed before.
How is everyone cleaning there filters socks?
I take them all and put in the washing machine add about a half cup of bleach and run on sanitary cycle. Then run another cycle without adding any bleach to rinse properly.
I know you can use hydrogen peroxide I am just unsure if you can use it the way I use bleach and just pour it into a wash cycle?

I soak mine in a bucket with a little bleach until i have a few then put them in the washer for 2 cycles, then rinse them in ro water

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I soak mine in a bucket with a little bleach until i have a few then put them in the washer for 2 cycles, then rinse them in ro water

I just turn mine inside out, rinse them with hot water and hang them out to dry. Nothing fancy and it seems to work fine. No adverse effects on the DT. I'm considering using lava rock as a replacement in the new build. It's cheap and I can just throw it out after it plugs up. Comments?

 

[FL_Reefer]

I do the same process as you, have for years

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

You referring to the sock cleaning or the lava rock?

 

[aquaman30k]

I do the same except I turn them inside out before washing. I did notice after about 3-5 washes they seemed to clog up about a day sooner than new socks.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I do mine immediately after I take them out of the tank and they seem to wash up pretty good. Question is, what might work equally well but not need changing as frequently. That's why I'm toying with the idea of using lava rock instead of socks. My new build would allow for about 3 cubic feet of rock and the return water would be forced thru it. As long as it didn't have a negative effect, I think it would filter quite well. I could make 2 compartments and replace or cycle each compartment on a 2 week cycle. That would be way less maintenance than my socks. What do you think?

 

[Tom Blevins]

I have bulk Chlorine for my pool wash them with a cup and 2 rinse cycles walla.

 

[dh350twin]

One thing I have found that helps is putting a sponge like a square piece over the filter socks that helps to catch a lot before going in. And easier to rinse off

 

[aquaman30k]

One thing I have found that helps is putting a sponge like a square piece over the filter socks that helps to catch a lot before going in. And easier to rinse off

Do you have a picture of this? I'm curious where exactly the sponge is placed.