Filter Socks

abinder · Jul 2, 2015

Does anyone know of another source for the rectangular filter socks that Eshopps uses in their RS series sumps? Their's are rather expensive.

Thanks for any info.

Allen

Righteous · Jul 3, 2015

I just wanted to add that I've had great luck cleaning my filter socks with sodium percarbonate. (Which is just sodium carbonate combined with hydrogen peroxide, the ingredient in oxiclean.) You can get 100% sodium percarbonate on Amazon for pretty cheap. Works as well as bleach, and no worries about chlorine residue.

abinder · Jul 4, 2015

I've tried using hydrogen peroxide 3% but it didn't seem to do anything.

How much sodium percarbonate do you use?
Do you use it in a washer?

I want to clean my filter socks in a 5 gallon bucket but just don't know how much of the bleach, sodium percarbonate, or hydrogen peroxide to use with how much water.

I live in an apartment building and don't know if I can trust using the washers. Also, it seems like washing by hand in a 5 gallon bucket would be less taxing on the filter socks.

Thanks for any info or advice.

Allen

NanaReefer · Jul 4, 2015

I just use a 5g bucket and bleach. Half cup bleach to 4g water. Let em soak for a day or two....longer if my memory wanes-lol. Then I just run em through the washing machine, adding nothing. Let air dry inside/outside weather permitting. Been doing it this way for the past year. Works for me.

chrisd · Jul 4, 2015

NanaReefer said:
I just use a 5g bucket and bleach. Half cup bleach to 4g water. Let em soak for a day or two....longer if my memory wanes-lol. Then I just run em through the washing machine, adding nothing. Let air dry inside/outside weather permitting. Been doing it this way for the past year. Works for me.

That's a lot of bleach.
3 or 4 cap fulls in washing machine with hot water.

Righteous · Jul 4, 2015

abinder said:
I've tried using hydrogen peroxide 3% but it didn't seem to do anything.

How much sodium percarbonate do you use?
Do you use it in a washer?

I want to clean my filter socks in a 5 gallon bucket but just don't know how much of the bleach, sodium percarbonate, or hydrogen peroxide to use with how much water.

I live in an apartment building and don't know if I can trust using the washers. Also, it seems like washing by hand in a 5 gallon bucket would be less taxing on the filter socks.

Thanks for any info or advice.

Allen

I don't think hydrogen peroxide on it's own would work, since it breaks down quickly. The combination with sodium carbonate (aka washing soda) help keeps it stable.

I do use it in a washer, but I would think it should work either way. I just throw a couple of tablespoons in with the filter socks, and wash with hot water. I think it'd be hard to use too much of it, as it rinses away very easily. With bleach I always found it would leave a bleach smell no mater how much I rinsed it, and it would need to be aired out. The peroxide breaks down quickly, and people purposefully add sodium carbonate to their tanks, so if there were any residue, it would be safe.

One note, if you do end up using the 100% sodium percarbonate, you'll want to store it in an airtight container. It's highly hygroscopic, so it'll soak up any humidity in the room and turn into a solid block. I have an airtight tupperware container that seems to work well.

aslmx · Jul 4, 2015

I use thick felt from wal mart and make my own.

abinder · Jul 4, 2015

Righteous said:
I don't think hydrogen peroxide on it's own would work, since it breaks down quickly. The combination with sodium carbonate (aka washing soda) help keeps it stable.

I do use it in a washer, but I would think it should work either way. I just throw a couple of tablespoons in with the filter socks, and wash with hot water. I think it'd be hard to use too much of it, as it rinses away very easily. With bleach I always found it would leave a bleach smell no mater how much I rinsed it, and it would need to be aired out. The peroxide breaks down quickly, and people purposefully add sodium carbonate to their tanks, so if there were any residue, it would be safe.

One note, if you do end up using the 100% sodium percarbonate, you'll want to store it in an airtight container. It's highly hygroscopic, so it'll soak up any humidity in the room and turn into a solid block. I have an airtight tupperware container that seems to work well.

Thanks for the info.

Allen

abinder · Jul 5, 2015

Righteous said:
I just wanted to add that I've had great luck cleaning my filter socks with sodium percarbonate. (Which is just sodium carbonate combined with hydrogen peroxide, the ingredient in oxiclean.) You can get 100% sodium percarbonate on Amazon for pretty cheap. Works as well as bleach, and no worries about chlorine residue.

One more question. I've seen on Amazon that some of the sodium percarbonate is listed as being "uncoated". What's "uncoated"?

Thanks for any info.

Allen

Righteous · Jul 5, 2015

I use the uncoated variety. It was unclear to me what chemicals are used in the coated variety. The coating is primarily to prevent it from clumping because it's hygroscopic. So if you go uncoated, definitely keep it in an airtight container.

abinder · Jul 5, 2015

Righteous said:
I use the uncoated variety. It was unclear to me what chemicals are used in the coated variety. The coating is primarily to prevent it from clumping because it's hygroscopic. So if you go uncoated, definitely keep it in an airtight container.

Thanks !!!!!

I'll probably order some from Amazon.

Allen