skinz78
10K Club member
I just started using filter socks for the first time ever. I have heard of people using bleach and running them through the washer, is this safe? I have scented bleach, should I get some unscented?
Filter sock cleaning?
- Thread starter skinz78
- Start date
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I don't go that far...I have a high pressure nozzle on my hose and it cleans it perfectly. Unless you have like 10 of em I'd almost say it's a waste of water to run 1 through to washer, but that's just me.
BigB7
Community Member
I soak mine in water for a day then turn them inside out and spray them clean with a hose, takes a little while but it works for me.. I have also thought about taking them to the car wash and just using the rinse cycle and cleaning them that way...
ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
I use a little bleach on mine but I don't think it's necessary. The bleach just whitens the sock it doesn't really clean it any better. If you let them dry out good there shouldn't be any bleach residue going into your tank. I never had any issues from it.
I would recommend rinsing/cleaning your filter socks in something much less toxic than your washer/dryer.
This a quick blog written a fews years back that never made to publication...Sorry for the tone as this just my two cents! -I probably should have edited before posting it here but then I was like you know WHATEVER!! lol
"Reef tanks and the washer/dryer effect.
I often wonder how some tank owners keep a lively system with some of the methods of scrutiny they use because I am about to present one the worst practices I’ve ever heard of. There are four types of filtration associated with maintaining a reef tank. They include biological, chemical and mechanical forms of separating unwanted elements from the water column. Removing a set volume of water (the a-typical “water changeâ€) is our forth and most influential form of filtration.
Typically when we do water changes it’s time to change out materials of mechanical filtration. Mechanical filtration includes the use of things like filter pads, filter floss, as well as filter socks. I often hear hobbyists reusing their filter pads and filter socks in a manner with which makes me cringe. They use their washer and dryer to clean these things!
I never understood this method of recycling, as it is quite obvious that elements present within washers and dryers definitely do not belong in our tanks. Some will tell me “well I don’t use detergents when I wash them†or “I only use the dryer to dry the socks after I’ve rinsed them with filtered water†Wait what!? It’s very obvious the detergents we use when washing our clothes are present in every component of a dryer or washer; and will most definitely end up on these materials. This method seems counterproductive to me. In fact washers and dryers have been tested after cycles only to present the same caustic elements I’ve always predicted were there. They are not “clean†like your clothes are after they’ve run their cycle and will deposit these same elements onto anything you put in them.
Materials used for mechanical filtration are perfect breeding grounds for nitrifying bacteria and it makes no sense to kill off cultivations with caustic elements like bleach. I have two alternative solutions to the practice of using washers and dryers that will help anyone currently using this technique. First is don’t use the washer or dryer. Period. Second is a method I believe is not only efficient but also extremely cost effective.
When I perform my water changes I keep two five gallons buckets full of removed water to rinse my filter socks in; one for the initial rinse and the second to insure the sock is thoroughly cleaned. This allows bacteria that have colonized on the immense amount of surface area associated with filter socks to remain intact. Another benefit of this method is being able to remove amphipods from the buckets and return them to the system as they inevitably end up inside filter sock materials.
Moreover, if you use washers and dryers for cleaning your “reef towels†I would suggest eliminating this practice as the same elements I just mentioned most definitely exists on these towels. It is best to give your arm a thorough rinse with filtered water beforehand and work with a splash or drip towel underneath you. Not worrying about drying your hands/arm in between introductions can be irritating at first but trust that seasoned hobbyists are accustomed to a wet arm and in some cases wet pants! In other words reduce the amount of time your arm or hand is in the water column, as this will eliminate the impact of these negative variables."
This a quick blog written a fews years back that never made to publication...Sorry for the tone as this just my two cents! -I probably should have edited before posting it here but then I was like you know WHATEVER!! lol
"Reef tanks and the washer/dryer effect.
I often wonder how some tank owners keep a lively system with some of the methods of scrutiny they use because I am about to present one the worst practices I’ve ever heard of. There are four types of filtration associated with maintaining a reef tank. They include biological, chemical and mechanical forms of separating unwanted elements from the water column. Removing a set volume of water (the a-typical “water changeâ€) is our forth and most influential form of filtration.
Typically when we do water changes it’s time to change out materials of mechanical filtration. Mechanical filtration includes the use of things like filter pads, filter floss, as well as filter socks. I often hear hobbyists reusing their filter pads and filter socks in a manner with which makes me cringe. They use their washer and dryer to clean these things!
I never understood this method of recycling, as it is quite obvious that elements present within washers and dryers definitely do not belong in our tanks. Some will tell me “well I don’t use detergents when I wash them†or “I only use the dryer to dry the socks after I’ve rinsed them with filtered water†Wait what!? It’s very obvious the detergents we use when washing our clothes are present in every component of a dryer or washer; and will most definitely end up on these materials. This method seems counterproductive to me. In fact washers and dryers have been tested after cycles only to present the same caustic elements I’ve always predicted were there. They are not “clean†like your clothes are after they’ve run their cycle and will deposit these same elements onto anything you put in them.
Materials used for mechanical filtration are perfect breeding grounds for nitrifying bacteria and it makes no sense to kill off cultivations with caustic elements like bleach. I have two alternative solutions to the practice of using washers and dryers that will help anyone currently using this technique. First is don’t use the washer or dryer. Period. Second is a method I believe is not only efficient but also extremely cost effective.
When I perform my water changes I keep two five gallons buckets full of removed water to rinse my filter socks in; one for the initial rinse and the second to insure the sock is thoroughly cleaned. This allows bacteria that have colonized on the immense amount of surface area associated with filter socks to remain intact. Another benefit of this method is being able to remove amphipods from the buckets and return them to the system as they inevitably end up inside filter sock materials.
Moreover, if you use washers and dryers for cleaning your “reef towels†I would suggest eliminating this practice as the same elements I just mentioned most definitely exists on these towels. It is best to give your arm a thorough rinse with filtered water beforehand and work with a splash or drip towel underneath you. Not worrying about drying your hands/arm in between introductions can be irritating at first but trust that seasoned hobbyists are accustomed to a wet arm and in some cases wet pants! In other words reduce the amount of time your arm or hand is in the water column, as this will eliminate the impact of these negative variables."
Last edited:
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
I can't say I agree with any of that written above. I've been keeping tanks for 8+ years and have never had issues with 'not' rinsing my hands/arms before putting in the tank.
Also, I've been running filter socks through the washer/dryer with a little bleach for years with no issues as well. Search around, its a VERY common practice.
Also, I've been running filter socks through the washer/dryer with a little bleach for years with no issues as well. Search around, its a VERY common practice.
It just my recommended opinion..hence why it was never published!!
After 12+ years of reefing I would never consider introducing elements present in a washer or dryer into my aquarium.
After 12+ years of reefing I would never consider introducing elements present in a washer or dryer into my aquarium.
I throw mine right in the wash with some bleach. Be sure to soak them afterwards
Yes. Unfortunately "without independent study or findings" Advancedaqaurist.com would not publish this one. But I'd like to think it was because of the style! :wink:
However, in writing I did do some poking around and these are a few things that I felt supported my notions:
Abstract taken from "Determination of detergent in washing machine wastewater with a voltammetric electronic tongue"
"A voltammetric electronic tongue (ET) and a conductivity meter were used to predict amounts of detergents in process water from washingmachines. The amount of detergent in over sixty samples was also determined by a HPLC reference method. Prediction was more accurate for the electronic tongue, but both techniques could be used. The composition of the detergent, e.g. supporting electrolyte, is an important factor for the ability to predict the detergent quantity by conductivity. Also two different surfactants, alkyl benzyl sulfonate (ABS) and etoxylated fatty alcohol (EOA), were fingerprinted by the HPLC. Their behaviour during the wash cycle differs from each other, ABS rinses away in the same proportions as the supporting electrolyte, but EOA appears to stay within the machine and laundry. Prediction models for ABS are accurate both with ET and conductivity meter, mostly due to the correlation with supporting electrolyte. The behaviour of EOA, with almost no correlation to the supporting electrolyte makes it difficult to predict using conductivity but ET prediction models give promising indications of its capabilities."
$$ link to full text study:
ScienceDirect.com - Talanta - Determination of detergents in washing machine wastewater with a voltammetric electronic tongue
Additional articles:
[Significance of laundry detergent... [Derm Beruf Umwelt. 1990 Nov-Dec] - PubMed - NCBI
Washing enzymes: Please rinse and return | The Economist
Regarding lab ware washing:
Chromatography Forum
thewackyreefer
(formerly luvmyacans)
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I would never consider putting any of my filter socks in a washing machine, however, I do soak in bleach, rinse and let dry.
I don't think the amount of nitrifying bacteria in a filter sock is really enough to worry about.
I don't think the amount of nitrifying bacteria in a filter sock is really enough to worry about.
I agree. The amount is negligible IMHO.
Mike&Terry
Wrasses, Angels, & Tangs, Oh My!
We have kept saltwater tanks since the 80's and reef tanks for 10 years and have not had any adverse effects from washing filter socks in our washing machine.
Chris, to answer your question about cleaning filter socks, here's what we do:
We keep about 20 felt socks on hand and rotate them out every 4 to 5 days. When I take them out, I flip them inside out and dip in saltwater to rescue any pods that may have found their way into the socks.
To clean, I take them outside and hose them off inside and out which removes almost all of the detritus. I then run them thru the wash with 1/4 cup of bleach. I rinse them in a 5g bucket with RO/DI water with a dechlorinator tab and then one more quick rinse in plain RO/DI water. Sounds like a lot of work, but I clean several at a time and it really doesn't take that long.
-Terry
Chris, to answer your question about cleaning filter socks, here's what we do:
We keep about 20 felt socks on hand and rotate them out every 4 to 5 days. When I take them out, I flip them inside out and dip in saltwater to rescue any pods that may have found their way into the socks.
To clean, I take them outside and hose them off inside and out which removes almost all of the detritus. I then run them thru the wash with 1/4 cup of bleach. I rinse them in a 5g bucket with RO/DI water with a dechlorinator tab and then one more quick rinse in plain RO/DI water. Sounds like a lot of work, but I clean several at a time and it really doesn't take that long.
-Terry
