How do you clean your filter sock?

Kaiser Tang · #1 12/16/2007, 02:18 PM

I have recently switched from the old gray foam filter to a filter sock (100 micron) for some mechanical filtration. How do you go about cleaning these. I would figure the old bleach method would work best, but I'm open to opinions. If you do think bleach is the best way, what ratio of bleach to water do you use?

reefergeorge · #2 12/16/2007, 02:24 PM

I just toss a few in the wash machine inside out with no soap just water, and the come out clean.

LobsterOfJustice · #3 12/16/2007, 02:25 PM

I used to rinse it and then run it through the wash with no bleach, but now I've started adding a splash of bleach in the wash, and then run it through a second cycle with no bleach.

jetta · #4 12/16/2007, 02:32 PM

1st wash is with a small amount of bleach then a second wash with just water. they will come clean

dvjanes · #5 12/20/2007, 04:26 PM

Not too sure my wife would be down with the idea of washing my filter socks in the family washing machine. I'm not sure how I would explain the bristle worm remains in her shirt pocket!!! ;-)

Lucky-rc · #6 12/20/2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dvjanes
Not too sure my wife would be down with the idea of washing my filter socks in the family washing machine. I'm not sure how I would explain the bristle worm remains in her shirt pocket!!! ;-)

lol... Mine too...lol
I just put mine in a jug with pure vinegar and let them soak over night then turn them inside out and rince them. For me this work really good. I am too affraid to put them in the washer because of the soap and other chem. that can get on them... not that this would happen but IMO the risk is huge. (so is my wifes fist)

Lucky

SCR · #7 12/20/2007, 05:17 PM

I quit cleaning them cause I quit using them, to much trouble.
The tank seem better with out them, more natural food floating around.

Canarygirl · #8 12/20/2007, 05:57 PM

I was just told that even trace amounts of bleach on filter socks can cause TN in SPS corals...I've been using bleach in my wash for quite a while now.

The person said that I should be rinsing in Prime to get rid of the chlorine...

Lucky-rc · #9 12/20/2007, 06:04 PM

yeah see... the risk is huge... so was the investment in livestock.
Not worth it to me

Lucky

wampuscat · #10 12/20/2007, 06:45 PM

I clean mine with my pressure washer, look like new. I have a plastic enclosure that my water hose rolls up into and I sit them on it. I first turn the socks inside out, clean each side, then reverse them, clean both sides, reverse them again clean both sides, reverse them again and give it one last quick spray and hang them to dry. Takes about 4 minutes each. They look like new when I'm done.

fish tanked · #11 12/20/2007, 06:57 PM

I worked somewhere once when some socks got washed in a washing machine that had some soap residue somewhere and it got ugly. definately not worth washing them in a machine that has had soap in it. I would just spray them out and bleach them on occasion in a 10% bleach solution then rinse again.

chewieee · #12 12/20/2007, 07:01 PM

MAchine wash with a touch of bleach no soap and let air dry for 24 hours. If you air dry them there will be no chlorine left

Gobie74 · #13 12/20/2007, 07:46 PM

I wash them outside with a house when its warm enough. Helps me to water and fertilize the lawn all at the same time

tcollins · #14 12/20/2007, 08:03 PM

I turn mine inside out to flush the detrius off in the sink. Then I squeeze them under the water flow to get as much funk out as I can. Toss them into a bucket with some bleach and let them soak for a day or two. Rinse them again and let them sit in the bleach again for a day, then rinse all of the chlorine out and let them drip dry. No set schedule on any of this, but I change mine out about every three days or so, so I've always got some cleaning/drying.

I stopped washing them when the plastic rings kept tearing in the washer, even on the gentle cycle. Rinse them in RO before I use them and there's never a hint of bleach.

dvjanes · #15 12/20/2007, 10:23 PM

My new Berlin-style sump has four socks, so it appears that I will be finding out just what it takes to maintain them. I definitely think I will be purchasing a few more filter sock sets...

steve1963 · #16 12/20/2007, 11:02 PM

This dosen't answer the washing question...BUT

I run an extra phosban reactor filled with the white cotton media.(sheet form).It works well and doesn't require an extra powerhead when run inline with my other reactor and UV.

das75 · #17 12/20/2007, 11:42 PM

Turn inside out, good rinse with hose then in washer with little bleach. Since I have four I rotate, they air dry for around a week before they're back in the tank.

ReefTECK · #18 12/20/2007, 11:49 PM

I don't see what the big deal is, why would anybody risk using bleach just to get the damn filter sock clean, it's just going to get dirty again.

I flip mine inside out, rinse it with hot water, and put new carbon/ROWAphos in and there ya go. The hot water precipitates the chlorine in the tap, and if that doesn't get it the carbon will. Then just throw the damn thing away when it's too gross or worn out to be used again, what's 2 dollars every three or four months on top of the rest of it?

steve1963 · #19 12/20/2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReefTECK
I don't see what the big deal is, why would anybody risk using bleach just to get the damn filter sock clean, it's just going to get dirty again.

I flip mine inside out, rinse it with hot water, and put new carbon/ROWAphos in and there ya go. The hot water precipitates the chlorine in the tap, and if that doesn't get it the carbon will. Then just throw the damn thing away when it's too gross or worn out to be used again, what's 2 dollars every three or four months on top of the rest of it?

I agree,

Lose dollars buy saving pennies.

dukecola · #20 12/21/2007, 12:31 AM

I soak mine in bleach/water mixture for several hours or overnite. Then rinse with pressure from hose or faucet, turning inside out. Then rinse in fresh water and soak in bucket of water with Novaqua or other clorine remover for a minute or two. No bleach is left behind. I've been doing this for 14 yrs.

corals b 4 bills · #21 12/21/2007, 01:02 AM

Oh my god with the bleach, I just take my sock into the front yard and hose it out with a high pressure nosal, and let that dry and pick up the one I rinced out from last week. Why would anyone take a bit of chance with bleach is beyond me (someone will screw the ratio's up and kill everything). I have the same two sock's for a little over a year now and you wouldn't know it, washing machines will wear them out, I know "just buy new ones" it takes all of 4 minutes to hose them out when there fresh out of the sump.

das75 · #22 12/21/2007, 11:11 AM

Use the bleach as can't see hanging a bag full of fish crap in my basement, because if just rinse with plain water that's what I'd be doing.

The washing machine uses bleach on the wash cycle then it's followed by a rinse, then hanging for a week, no concern about bleach in the tank.

corals b 4 bills · #23 12/21/2007, 03:03 PM

You have to remember that many newbies read this thread and assume that using bleach in a reef tank is O.K. and do not know how to neutralize the bleach and kill everything in there tank.

steve1963 · #24 12/21/2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by corals b 4 bills
You have to remember that many newbies read this thread and assume that using bleach in a reef tank is O.K. and do not know how to neutralize the bleach and kill everything in there tank.

Do you use vinegar to neutralize the bleach the same way you use vinegar to soak DIY live rock in or cleansing a skimmer?

I've never even considered bleach as a cleaner.

Bebo77 · #25 12/21/2007, 03:35 PM

washing machine on "heavy" with lots of bleach.. Extra rinse, let air dry for at least 24 hrs before putting back in tank