Filter Socks Smell Fishy After Wash Cycle?

[Aspect]

Hello, I've noticed the last few wash cycles of my filter socks they are starting to smell fishy even after washing them with bleach. I go 4-5 days between washing the socks and change them daily on my tank, 3 socks a day. I rinse and drain my washer before starting the wash cycle, then I will do a power wash with a little bit of bleach, just a splash. Then I will power wash one more time without bleach and rinse twice, then dry on low heat lowest setting. I have a lot of water running through the socks in a day (around 2k gph). Also, a lot of algae goes down my overflows. My tank does not have any smell to it at all.

 

[Auflyfish]

Try soaking them in a bucket with the bleach for several hours then dump the bucket of water and bleach with socks into the washer. Always did the trick when my socks got really rancid with the fish oils.

 

[Auflyfish]

Honestly I did mine overnight

 

[Aspect]

I've been using filter socks for nearly 4 years now and never had this smell. This tank does have a substantially heavier bio load than my last tank, granted. As long as it's not causing any ill effects I don't mind it.

 

[Auflyfish]

Yeah I think the oils especially in a larger tank just build up and bond with the fleece of the socks. Either way you should be good to go