Cleaning filter socks

[Bay Brony]

I've been using the thick layered felt ones. I've never had a tank with s sump before. Previous tanks were nano s . We are cycling the tank and the socks are disgusting. I've been changing the m every two days but no matter what I do the grime doesn't come off. I spray them down with the shower nozzle but it just seems to move the dirt back and forth across the sock. I've soaked them in vinegar. I even ran them through the dishwasher which made the house stink but didn't clean the socks. What is the secret???

 

[turbo21]

Put them in the washing machine

Just hot water. No soap

Then air dry

That will get them clean

Bob

 

[GHill762]

washing machine - one cycle with bleach and hot water, a second cycle with cold water only.. they come out looking brand new and the second cycle kills most of the bleach smell.. let them air dry and they'll be safe to put in your tank..

 

[FL_Reefer]

I run mine through a cycle in the washing machine with a little bit of bleach and then run another rinse cycle and good to go. But before I do that I rinse as much of the stuff off with the hose first. Been doing this for awhile and works like a charm. Also have multiple socks so I can have new ones ready when changing out the old ones.

 

[LPSGUY]

Make sure you rinse well before adding back to your tank. I usually just take it out and scrub in hot water several times.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Make sure you rinse well before adding back to your tank. I usually just take it out and scrub in hot water several times.

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[revhtree Verified Admin]

Run them in the washer with some bleach! Also it's good to have several on hand so you can just rotate them.

 

[Bay Brony]

So the bleach is safe if i run a second rinse cycle?

 

[GHill762]

So the bleach is safe if i run a second rinse cycle?

it's supposed to be safe once it air dries, even if you smell it.. that said, I run a second cycle with cold water only just for peace of mind (hot water run through your water heater has a lot more stuff in it from mineral deposits over time)..

 

[Waters]

Everyone has their own methods but this is what I do after trying several different ways....

Rinse the socks in tap water to remove as much junk as you can.
Soak for about an hour in a small bucket with 2 capfuls of non-scented bleach.
Rinse again in tap water to remove as much of the bleach as possible.
Soak once more for another hour in the same bucket with 4 pellets of sodium thiosulfate (purchased at my local reef store).
Rinse again and let dry for 24 hours.

This seems to be the only method that doesn't make my skimmer go crazy after swapping out the socks. They end up looking like new afterwards.

 

[Kware0112]

Washing machine with hot water, bleach, and a second rinse cycle. Been doing it that way for over a yr and no problems.

 

[twelvefive]

Washing machine on hot, then air dry is all I do.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I do same as Bob, but invert them first. No reason to worry about bleaching out stains.

Put them in the washing machine

Just hot water. No soap

Then air dry

That will get them clean

Bob

 

[Budman's Corals]

I take out them out turn inside out in a bucket and save all the pods,like 10 every time,
then i take outside use spray nozzle and spray off the heavy gunk before i even take to the washer machine,
My wife would kill me if i just put in there straight from the tank..
Sometimes i don't even wash them since the hose does a pretty good job

 

[HoaglandDiver]

Delicate cycle warm w/ bleach and extra rinse
Then TWO full delicate cycles cold w/ extra rinse (no bleach).
Then air dry.
prior to use, I rinse w/ RO/DI water

 

[TheReefKeeper]

3 Times Plain hot wash same for 10 years

 

[townjas]

Thanks, I just switched to a sump about 2 months ago and I have been wondering the same thing!

 

[tzsetzse]

I buy cheap, rolled polyester batting. I place a cut piece into the bottom of the sock. I wait. When nearly saturated with debris, I remove and discard. I cut a new piece of cheap batting and replace. Repeat as necessary. No bleach. No washing machine. No rinsing. NO HASSLE

 

[timkenagy]

Washing machine with hot water, bleach, and a second rinse cycle. Been doing it that way for over a yr and no problems.

I do the same... I found it works better if you don't let them dry before washing. I keep a 5 gal bucket of RO water to soak in until they're read to wash.

 

[kmaintl]

I take out them out turn inside out in a bucket and save all the pods,like 10 every time,
then i take outside use spray nozzle and spray off the heavy gunk before i even take to the washer machine,
My wife would kill me if i just put in there straight from the tank..
Sometimes i don't even wash them since the hose does a pretty good job

+1 I do similar. I have about 12 for my tank. As they get soiled and clogged, I throw them into an old salt bucket with top to seal in the nice aroma. When I have about 10 in there, I throw them straight into the washer with a 1/2 cup of bleach and make sure I use an extra rinse cycle. I also use hot water and everything comes right off. Then air dry. Once they are dry, they are safe to use again.