Mesh Bag for Rock Rubble?

[Peter Clark]

I'm in the early stages of getting back into the hobby after 10 years and just yesterday got some dry rock cooking in a covered brute can. I have a lot of rubble, including a mix of both tiny and large pieces, that I would like to still be able to use. The tiny pieces I can just put in mesh media bags so they are easy to manage and rinse. The larger pieces would need a bigger bag. What comes to mind to me are the mesh bags snorkelers and divers use to keep stuff in. I have tons of those laying around and can easily get a new one, but I don't know what would be safe to soak in a tank for a long time. Most are colored so are probably not ideal. Any ideas? I have no idea if I will end up using any of the rock in my refugium, but if I eventually do I would like it already cleaned properly and in theory I could use a similar bag then. The rubble would be great for critters but would need to be easily removed for cleaning. I know rubble is not used much these days, but I still have an attachment for it from my old days.

Worst case, I've got lots of natural frag plugs :-)

Thank you!

 

[Seawitch]

I have an idea. What I'm planning to use is Organic Cotton Cheesecloth. If you or anyone you know sews, it can be sewn to any size and shape. If you don't sew, it still comes in big sheets so you could cut it the size you want and just tie it in a knot. It will likely wear out over time, but it won't hurt anything or leach anything. I would, however, recommend rinsing it well with warm water first and I plan to sterilize mine with some bleach before use. And rinse very very very well. Like put it in a pillow case and run it through the rinse cycle of the machine a few times.

Edited to add: You could also iron it if you don't want to bleach it. Stuff that's ironed with a steam iron is almost sterile.

 

[Peter Clark]

I have an idea. What I'm planning to use is Organic Cotton Cheesecloth. If you or anyone you know sews, it can be sewn to any size and shape. If you don't sew, it still comes in big sheets so you could cut it the size you want and just tie it in a knot. It will likely wear out over time, but it won't hurt anything or leach anything. I would, however, recommend rinsing it well with warm water first and I plan to sterilize mine with some bleach before use. And rinse very very very well. Like put it in a pillow case and run it through the rinse cycle of the machine a few times.

Edited to add: You could also iron it if you don't want to bleach it. Stuff that's ironed with a steam iron is almost sterile.

Tempting. I like that idea. Great for filtering. Ideally I would want something with larger holes though for things like pods to get in and out.

 

[Seawitch]

Tempting. I like that idea. Great for filtering. Ideally I would want something with larger holes though for things like pods to get in and out.

You can get it in different gauges (with different size holes). That's what I was thinking. I also wanted to keep a few odds and ends in the main tank to get colonized with bacteria and stick in the Q tank in an emergency. You could also get really any kind of sheeting cotton, and someone with a sophisticated machine could sew little round button holes all over it = instant holes. Any sewing enthusiast will know what I'm talking about.

 

[Peter Clark]

You can get it in different gauges (with different size holes). That's what I was thinking. I also wanted to keep a few odds and ends in the main tank to get colonized with bacteria and stick in the Q tank in an emergency. You could also get really any kind of sheeting cotton, and someone with a sophisticated machine could sew little round button holes all over it = instant holes. Any sewing enthusiast will know what I'm talking about.

Wow shows what I know about cheesecloth lol. Thank you!

 

[Seawitch]

You could also get some kind of 100% cotton lace fabric (like for curtains). Here's a screenshot I just took from Etsy when I searched for "100% cotton lace fabric". "Eyelet" especially is known for discrete holes. Look at all the holes:

 

[Peter Clark]

I like. And following on your cotton ideas just led to me organic cotton produce bags. Big holes and no sewing skills needed. How long do you think cotton would hold up? Easy enough to swap out on occasion.

 

[Seawitch]

I like. And following on your cotton ideas just led to me organic cotton produce bags. Big holes and no sewing skills needed. How long do you think cotton would hold up? Easy enough to swap out on occasion.

I think it depends on how thick it is and where it's sitting. Obviously in a high flow area with Niagara Falls running through it, it won't last as long, but I'd say a long time. I bet those bags would last at least a couple of years. I still have a cotton nightgown I've had for 25 years. It's worn, but it's still usable. It has been through the washer and dryer at least 500 times.

 

[Peter Clark]

Excellent! I'm really surprised I hadn't considered something like organic cotton before. I just assumed nylon or some plastic material but was worried what could leach out. I think I'll start with one of those produce bags and if those don't work then try something like the cheesecloth. Maybe I can get my wife to teach me sewing haha.

And since I don't know how I'll setup the sump area yet (still have probably months of the rock soaking and many other projects to get the room ready for the tank) I'm not certain where I'll put it, but I would guess in a medium flow area. Planning on an ATS and it could be somewhere near there, so that would increase flow some. Luckily periodic rinsing of the rubble would allow me to check the bag.

Thank you so much!

 

[Seawitch]

Anytime @Peter Clark. It's not very often that I can answer someone's question. So, it's great fun if I can!

 

[OutsideBrian]

There a large mesh laundry bags available in most retail stores that might work too