Sponge cleaning

[Crabs McJones]

So I have a trigger crystal 30 sump and between the return chamber and fuge chamber there is a sponge. This gets heavily packed with chaeto and algae. How do ya'll clean these out. Vinegar soak? Bleach soak? Toss and replace?

Thanks for your input

 

[C-Reefer]

When I notice it getting nasty I take it to my sink and rinse and rinse while wringing it out and squeezing it. Eventually no more crap comes out and I give it a quick rinse in RODI then let it completely dry to make sure any contaminents from the tapwater are gone. Back in the tank it is and good for another few months!

 

[Jay Z]

Heavy rinse in hot water then flush.

Hot water will take most out of it minus some discoloration.

I usually skip the bleach on the foam, kills all the bacteria.

 

[Peace River]

Typically I dunk and squeeze it out repetitively in a 5 gallon bucket of RODI water. If it is really bad then I may take it to the sink for cleaning and then rinse in RODI water before going back into the system.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

‘Sup @Crabs McJones ,

I just replace them. They are coarse filter pads. I got a 4x4 piece of it from foster and smith before they went over to Petco. I can’t find it on the Petco site. MD has something similar. I just checked the pad thickness before I orderEd.

Aquamesh Black 1 - Extra Coarse

Progressive density mesh mechanical filtration system can be used as a system or separately. Aquamesh #1 is great for removal of large debris and free floating particles most commonly used as a first stage to allow longer use of finer stages between cleanings. Dimensions:19.5" x 24" x 1.5"...

www.marinedepot.com

 

[Billldg]

I just take a water hose to it and spray it off.

 

[tgrick]

I put mine is the washing machine along with filter socks. Then I add a small amount of chlorine and I wash in a fast setting which is 20 mins. Sponge comes out clean...however, I think it will shorten it's useful life.