Really Cleaning Filter Socks

Forsaken77 · Mar 9, 2019

So I usually soak about 8 socks at a time in a 2.5 gallon bucket filled with peroxide.

Then I throw them in the washing machine on rinse for 2-3 cycles. The problem is I think soap residue is getting in the socks, even with rinsing them 3 times over. It's a top loader btw.

I was looking into those small agitators that you crank the handle to spin it around, but I don't see that really doing the job. And being that it's winter, I can't use the hose.

Any alternative ideas?

Gonebad395 · Mar 9, 2019

What’s making you think soap is getting in your socks? I’ve used this method for years never a problem

redfishbluefish · Mar 9, 2019

Throw out those felt socks and get mesh socks. 30 seconds under the faucet, rubbing fabric to fabric, and they are clean.

Wen · Mar 9, 2019

School where I volunteer throws dirty socks into 5 gal bucket of bleach/water to soak, rinsed them in tap water, then throws them into 5 gal bucket of Prime/water to soak, then hangs them up to dry completely.

Works for them.

theblackpearl · Mar 9, 2019

Check this out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKDYD4...colid=N783ZS0SZ6V4&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Mastiffsrule · Mar 9, 2019

Wen said:
School where I volunteer throws dirty socks into 5 gal bucket of bleach/water to soak, rinsed them in tap water, then throws them into 5 gal bucket of Prime/water to soak, then hangs them up to dry completely.

Works for them.

Been doing this for years, never a problem

dugthefish · Mar 9, 2019

I just throw them in the washer, hot water, double rinse. Never had any issues with soap residue.

lolgranny · Mar 9, 2019

+1 no issue here

lapin · Mar 9, 2019

I always run a load of towels without soap before I do the socks. Wash with 1 cup bleach. I put the socks thru a second rinse cycle. Then I run them thru the quickie wash cycle one time, just water. Seems like a lot of work but I am doing 30 or so at a time.

Forsaken77 · Mar 9, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
Throw out those felt socks and get mesh socks. 30 seconds under the faucet, rubbing fabric to fabric, and they are clean.

It's a FOWLR tank, so mechanical is more important. I'm using 50 micron felts. If I could find 50 micron mesh I'd get them.

Forsaken77 · Mar 9, 2019

Gonebad395 said:
What’s making you think soap is getting in your socks? I’ve used this method for years never a problem

I've been trying to narrow down an issue in my FOWLR tank. I've had a Harlequin Tusk, a Formosa Wrasse, Melanarus Wrasse (though he may have been old), and now my Red Coris Wrasse all seem to go blind after 2 years for some reason. It seems to mostly affect Wrasse, but I have other fish where the eyes look a bit cloudy.

There's no metals in the water, according to Poly Pads, and the only thing I can think of is soap residue. And being the socks are 50 micron, they tend to hang on to things more so than 100-200 micron.

Gonebad395 · Mar 9, 2019

Hrmm idk can’t say it’s not the cause. But I’ve used a washing machine for yrs and never had those problems. Maybe because we use different soaps if soaps are the cause of your problems

Wen · Mar 10, 2019

Forsaken77 said:
I've been trying to narrow down an issue in my FOWLR tank. I've had a Harlequin Tusk, a Formosa Wrasse, Melanarus Wrasse (though he may have been old), and now my Red Coris Wrasse all seem to go blind after 2 years for some reason. It seems to mostly affect Wrasse, but I have other fish where the eyes look a bit cloudy.

There's no metals in the water, according to Poly Pads, and the only thing I can think of is soap residue. And being the socks are 50 micron, they tend to hang on to things more so than 100-200 micron.

Have you tried treating them for bacterial infections?
I’ve had great success treating with Kanaplex for cloudy eyes. It’s easy and really works.

Forsaken77 · Mar 10, 2019

Wen said:
Have you tried treating them for bacterial infections?
I’ve had great success treating with Kanaplex for cloudy eyes. It’s easy and really works.

Both Kanaplex and Metroplex, both with Focus (at different times). I end up treating the whole display because it happens to the fish after 2 years or so. It's the weirdest thing.

I think it's either soap residue, or may be the substrate? I have the Hawaiian Black. I don't know if there's anything in that that would cause this (I wouldn't think so) and this is a 5 year old tank. Other than that I'm stumped.

The tank is right next to my back door so there is a possibility of contaminants coming in, but there's a lid on the tank.

Forsaken77 · Mar 10, 2019

theblackpearl said:
Check this out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKDYD4...colid=N783ZS0SZ6V4&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I've looked at those mini washers. When I see the really cheap ones that don't look like it would agitate enough, I keep going up and up in price and end up over what I want to spend for a sock cleaner, lol.