filter sock questions

[genzod66]

when switching ur sock,do you turn off the pump?i tried switching real quick without turning off pump and water was totally clouded up?also how do you wash the socks??thanx

[dsn112]

I turn my pump off. I wash it with a tiny amt of bleach, I also use the extra rise setting.

[Aquarist007]

If you have a good skimmer then a filter sock is just a bonus in filtration--it helps slow down the flow and stop bubbles also.
You could run your system without it so you don't have to worry about turning the pump off to change it.
I have 6 large filter socks--I change them every two to three days and through them in a bucket of water and bleach. When the last one is done I rinse the sock out in the laundry tub then run them through a full wash cycle with no laundry detergent.
In the summer I used to put them out side so any of the residual chlorine would evaporate--in the winter I run them through the dryer.