cleaning filter sock

Snitter · Mar 10, 2014

New to filter socks. What is the easiest way to clean them. Mine have the plastic ring

Jimbo662 · Mar 10, 2014

I had the mesh type with the ring. I would rinse them good then soak them overnight in a bucket of very diluted water / bleach then rince really well and hang to dry.

Saulsa · Mar 10, 2014

I just throw them in the washer with NO detergent and 1/4 cup of bleach. I make sure to run the Extra rinse cycle and largest load for most water. If they're really dirty ill do 2 cycles (the second cycle I dont run bleach).

matty0206 · Mar 10, 2014

Saulsa said:
I just throw them in the washer with NO detergent and 1/4 cup of bleach. I make sure to run the Extra rinse cycle and largest load for most water. If they're really dirty ill do 2 cycles (the second cycle I dont run bleach).

I do the same, works well.

HoaglandDiver · Mar 10, 2014

yups... be sure DELICATE cycle.. I run w/ extra rinse and then two more whole cycles w/ nothing added.. then air dry.. I still rinse in RO/DI just prior to installing

Snitter · Mar 10, 2014

Thanks. I take you wash multiple socks in the wash cycle? Only one seems like a huge waise of water

gtbarsi · Mar 10, 2014

Saulsa said:
I just throw them in the washer with NO detergent and 1/4 cup of bleach. I make sure to run the Extra rinse cycle and largest load for most water. If they're really dirty ill do 2 cycles (the second cycle I dont run bleach).

Personally I do not like the idea of bleach touching anything that goes in my tank, that is why I use hydrogen peroxide. H2O2 cleans really well and when it breaks down it is just water... The suff is cheep, and will definitely not damage your washer, or your tank! It also seems to get the socks cleaner according to some people.

Snitter · Mar 10, 2014

Does it matter if the sock is Mesh or felt with the bleach

ReefMadScientist · Mar 10, 2014

Just spray it out with the hose. Let them soak in boiling hot water for an hour or so, rinse with RODI water. Done.

gdemos · Mar 10, 2014

turn inside out, hose off in utility sink w/high pressure. washing machine on Hot Wash/Hot Rinse Delicate machine setting with bleach. pretty good job, eventually they'll break down and 'pill' but still very usable. I use the 100 micron draw string variety. replace every 9 months. I change them ever 2-4 days usually and save up the dirty socks to wash every other week usually.

Reef head · Mar 10, 2014

Turn them in side out and put into delicate wash cycle. I just dump the bleach in without measuring, oh we'll. I leave them set out to dry to evaporate the bleach, using in a rotation cycle. Prerinse new filter socks or they will make your protein skimmer go wild...... Experience......

Snitter · Mar 10, 2014

What type of sock do you all prefer?

Reef head · Mar 10, 2014

7 in 200 micron filter. 4 in works as well, depends on room you have.

navila06 · Mar 10, 2014

I use the bag that comes with phosban for my filter sock.

Sean minor · Mar 11, 2014

Turn inside out then rinse ( sink ), turn back then rinse, but in a bucket with tap water and bleach ( 4 gallons water 1 cup bleach depending on how many socks, I do 12 at a time ) for 24 hours, rinse, soak in RO water for 24 hours, hang to dry

Snitter · Mar 11, 2014

Thanks for all the replies. What does the bleach do? Besides kill things. My local person owned fish store said not to use bleach

Sean minor · Mar 11, 2014

Cleans, kills and sanitizes, been useing it for years in many tanks, when it dries its gone

bkhunt · Mar 11, 2014

I have a bucket of bleach water that I soak them in until I put my last clean on in service. I then put them in the washer with hot water and extra rinse and then let air dry.

Reef head · Mar 11, 2014

Sounds like everyone does pretty much the same thing. Good to hear folks use the filter socks with bleach like what I do. Makes me feel a little more normal.....