heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
does anyone wash and re-use their filter socks and what do you use to clean them..soap/bleach..
Filter Socks
- Thread starter heath
- Start date
pulpfiction1
Reef Scavenger
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2010
- Location
- 42.418807, -82.174073
i make my own,single use when i do use them,local fabric store should carry the felt in bolts
Skim
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2014
- Location
- Brantford, Ontario
I wash my filter socks just with hot water machine set to heavy soil and extra rinse and sometimes I run it twice but no bleach or any kind of soap.
You want to try and turn your socks inside out, it's not easy for the 4", you all so should cut the plastic handle loop out it makes it easier.
I read a large post someone did on RC where they checked to to if bleach helped or not and his findings using a microscope found no advantage even made it worse in some cases. What he found was that the Bleach did just that, bleached the dirt and Algae Cells so it looked clean but yet under the scope they where still there. Some people will power wash them after them turn them inside out then put in the wash. I find I have to switch mine every 2 days depending on my return flow if I lower it I can go about 4 to 5 days and that's with 100 Micron.
Hope that helps.
Skim
You want to try and turn your socks inside out, it's not easy for the 4", you all so should cut the plastic handle loop out it makes it easier.
I read a large post someone did on RC where they checked to to if bleach helped or not and his findings using a microscope found no advantage even made it worse in some cases. What he found was that the Bleach did just that, bleached the dirt and Algae Cells so it looked clean but yet under the scope they where still there. Some people will power wash them after them turn them inside out then put in the wash. I find I have to switch mine every 2 days depending on my return flow if I lower it I can go about 4 to 5 days and that's with 100 Micron.
Hope that helps.
Skim
Good advice here. I do basically the same. No bleach and hot water with extra rinse. I also spray mine down before I put them in the washing machine. Every 4-7 days I like to change a set. I run 8 socks per system so it is time consuming, but 100% worth it. Filter socks were something I never used before but I am fairy happy I incorporated them in the new systems.
AdInfinitum
Super Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2012
- Location
- Thorndale, Ontario
I am a bleach user. Where it removes color it is primarily a strong oxidizer and as such works to break down many organics into simpler and more soluble forms. Remember it is just NaOCl in solution so no scary hazards or residuals just a non detergent cleansing aid.
Bleacher as well, pre rinse then soak them inside out for 24 to 48 hours @ 5%, rinse three times then soak in prime treated tap water for 24 hours then air dry, all by hand, look like new after. Bleach is very unstable and evaporates so once they're dry it is gone.
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
I have the big socks and what I have been doing is turning them inside out and scrubbing them with a brush under running water and I do air dry them.. just curious what everyone else does..I have a phosphate issue (gha) so I change them everyday or every other day...not sure but I think that they are the 200 micron and they are about 12" long...
Your proly not getting them very clean, could be nutrient sinks.
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
I scrub them until they are pretty much white, and there is no odor... they are just so expensive for a one time use..
what do you have for clean up crew
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Location
- Sarnia, Ontario
I buy the socks from brs or marine depot in 20s and then when the water flows over the top I take it out and turn it inside out and use the fast pulse of the shower head and keep goin till its white then turn out again and keep goin till its white and wring it out and reuse I get about a month or 2 out of one sock
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
I have been scrubbing them by hand, never thought of using them turn inside out, great idea...
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
right now there is not much of a cuc in the tank, a few snails, waiting for a couple of tangs to help with the hair algae ( its not bad) I am using the vodka treatment and its handling it well, my phosphates are from the rock being in a tank ( 4 yrs)with tap water, my fault...
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Location
- Sarnia, Ontario
It normally every week I have to clean a sock
MrHermit85
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Location
- London, Ontario
I use the nylon ones that come in three hundred micron. They rinse really easily and are not as bulky as the fabric ones. I just use ro/di water to rinse them
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
I never seen them where did you get them and the cost..
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
I should be so lucky, mine only last 2 days tops...I don't use them on the big tank as the phosphates are FINALLY out of that tank..
MrHermit85
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Location
- London, Ontario
$6 at incredible aquarium they are called mesh filter sock 
really awesome!
really awesome!If your vodka dosing then it's proly bacteria that's clogging them.
Hermit crabs can be a pain but they are great algae eaters, get in the nooks and crannies.