Cleaning Filter Socks - Bleach

hilde123 · 08/12/2011, 08:28 PM

I just bought another set of filter socks so I can rotate and clean in between (trying to improve tank husbandry!). I want to soak them in a bucket of bleach and water and then de-chlorinate before rinsing and re-using. Does anyone do this to clean their filter socks, if so how much bleach should I add to a 5 gallon bucket of water?

reefsurfing · 08/12/2011, 09:02 PM

I used to run them a cycle in the washing machine with nothing but bleach and dropped 'em in ro with "prime", afterwards, let them dry for 48 hours. Since then I have switched to the mesh version of filter solck and I am much happier vs the felt.

Chris27 · 08/13/2011, 07:24 AM

Run em through the washer, and then let them completely dry, once dry they are safe to use. When chlorine evaporates, it's no longer dangerous to your tank.

Dr Colliebreath · 08/13/2011, 08:47 AM

I rinse mine inside out under tap water, and then soak them individually in a plastic disposable cup (about 18 oz) with about a teaspoon of bleach. It keeps the plastic rim portion of the filter sock out of the bleach. After the bleach solution, I rinse well with tap water, blot dry with paper towels to remove the tap water, and then rinse with rodi water and let air dry.

I would start with 1/8 - 1/4 cup of bleach and see if it works well enough. You could add a little bit more if needed.

I don't use a washing machine out of concern that there may be detergent residue and I don't want what is in the filter sock on my clothes.

jcw · 08/13/2011, 10:59 AM

Just wondering why people are using bleach?

I just rinse well, scrub a little and dry. It's not like they're not going right back in the fish poop they came from, right?

Dr Colliebreath · 08/13/2011, 01:37 PM

A bit of disinfectant and aesthetics.

dublo8 · 08/13/2011, 01:52 PM

Your filter sock holds a lot of nasties in them, so bleach is a good way to disinfect them just like the above poster mentioned. I turn my inside out and put them in the washer with my wifes white's lol and add an extra rinse cycle to it, just to make sure the bleach is gone, then let them dry. I have about 10 socks so they are always waiting in rotation. I also agree that the mesh socks are waaaaay better than the felt. Felt sometimes doesn't get as clean as I like and seems to make my skimmer go crazy every time I put a new one in, no matter how long I rinse it, my skimmer goes nuts for about 24 hours but the mesh ones don't.

d0ughb0y · 08/13/2011, 02:10 PM

I can guarantee you that you will never get the filter sock as clean using manual cleaning methods as when running it in the washer with some bleach. just hang dry for a few days and the chlorine will dissipate. as to how much bleach, I don't really measure, but I'd say no more than 1 cup for a large washer load. I'd say even 1/2 cup is good enough.

Chris27 · 08/14/2011, 07:20 PM

Honestly, I'm just really lazy, tossing a few socks in the washer with some bleach is about as easy a task as you can get with this hobby.

Robert62779 · 08/25/2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilde123

I just bought another set of filter socks so I can rotate and clean in between (trying to improve tank husbandry!). I want to soak them in a bucket of bleach and water and then de-chlorinate before rinsing and re-using. Does anyone do this to clean their filter socks, if so how much bleach should I add to a 5 gallon bucket of water?

I throw mine in the washer with some bleach. Then i run the rinse cycle a few times after.

jcw · 08/25/2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

I can guarantee you that you will never get the filter sock as clean using manual cleaning methods as when running it in the washer with some bleach. just hang dry for a few days and the chlorine will dissipate. as to how much bleach, I don't really measure, but I'd say no more than 1 cup for a large washer load. I'd say even 1/2 cup is good enough.

I guess I'm just wondering if they somehow perform better after a chlorine bath vs rinsing and light scrub by hand?
Although, tossing them in a washer sounds VERY temptingly simple.

snorvich · 08/25/2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris27

Run em through the washer, and then let them completely dry, once dry they are safe to use. When chlorine evaporates, it's no longer dangerous to your tank.

Exactly.

Cayman · 08/25/2011, 01:27 PM

Washer, delicate cycle w/ a splash of bleach. Air dry for a day or so and back to the sump.

mmotown · 08/25/2011, 04:26 PM

I was mine in reg unscented cholorx bleach. Gets them clean and then I was again without to make sure they are rinsed well. Never had any problems with tank... I have 6 fs. When I get 3 or 4 dirty it's time to wash

jhoff · 08/25/2011, 04:45 PM

turn sock inside out Rince in hot water with hose from sink put 4 to 5 socks in a 5gal bucket with one cup of bleach fill bucket half way with hot water soak over night rince out with rodi water hang out to dry..Been doin this for years don't trust washer could be some leftover detergent even after rince cycle...

thor109 · 08/25/2011, 07:32 PM

I just take outside turn inside out and spray with hose, let air dry and rinse in RO before putting back in. The come really clean with the pressure nozzle. I don't know what I'm going to do in winter. Maybe install hose in laundry room and spray off in bathtub. I just don't feel good putting in washer. There has to be left over soap in there. I know everyone does it, that's just how I feel.

foxrazr · 08/25/2011, 07:35 PM

Been putting mine in the washer with bleach let air dry and use again in 2 weeks or so. No problems here.

Stanley-Reefer · 08/25/2011, 07:41 PM

With bleach you don't even have to turn them inside out.....I put it on whitest whites, sanitize, and heavily soiled and in 2:10 after an extra rinse they dry on top of the washer...

No probs over 2 years.

GeoB · 08/29/2011, 02:18 PM

Has anyone tried useing Hydrogen Peroxide for this purpose?

UnusualSuspect · 08/29/2011, 02:47 PM

I don't bleach mine. I turn them inside out, put them in a mesh bag and run them through a hot-water wash with no soap or bleach, double rinse, then toss them in the dryer. Works great.

detroit_fan · 08/29/2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnusualSuspect

I don't bleach mine. I turn them inside out, put them in a mesh bag and run them through a hot-water wash with no soap or bleach, double rinse, then toss them in the dryer. Works great.

i don't bleach either, just hot water washing machine and air dry.

Joe · 08/29/2011, 07:27 PM

I use Chlorox, but I soak my socks in a five gallon bucket, after hosing them off inside out. For those of us that have septic systems, bleach down the drain isn't a smart choice. I would never use a washing machine, for that reason.

yellowbellied · 08/30/2011, 04:19 PM

Where can I get some of the "mesh" socks that you guys are mentioning here?

d0ughb0y · 08/30/2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowbellied

Where can I get some of the "mesh" socks that you guys are mentioning here?

Tbaquatics sells 100 micron mesh and brs sells 200 micron mesh. I'm sure there are other places you can get them.

hilde123 · 10/24/2011, 05:24 AM

Not to revive an old post, but, I got a set of mesh socks about a month ago and couldnt be any happier. They are super easy to clean with a garden hose and my ORP has gone up significantly since replacing my old felt socks with them which tells me I have less DOCs than I had before. Just my 2 cents.

08/12/2011, 08:28 PM	#1
hilde123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 625	Cleaning Filter Socks - Bleach I just bought another set of filter socks so I can rotate and clean in between (trying to improve tank husbandry!). I want to soak them in a bucket of bleach and water and then de-chlorinate before rinsing and re-using. Does anyone do this to clean their filter socks, if so how much bleach should I add to a 5 gallon bucket of water?

08/13/2011, 07:24 AM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Run em through the washer, and then let them completely dry, once dry they are safe to use. When chlorine evaporates, it's no longer dangerous to your tank. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

08/13/2011, 08:47 AM	#4
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	I rinse mine inside out under tap water, and then soak them individually in a plastic disposable cup (about 18 oz) with about a teaspoon of bleach. It keeps the plastic rim portion of the filter sock out of the bleach. After the bleach solution, I rinse well with tap water, blot dry with paper towels to remove the tap water, and then rinse with rodi water and let air dry. I would start with 1/8 - 1/4 cup of bleach and see if it works well enough. You could add a little bit more if needed. I don't use a washing machine out of concern that there may be detergent residue and I don't want what is in the filter sock on my clothes. __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 110 Oceanic RR w/35 gal sump and SRO XP2000 int

08/13/2011, 10:59 AM	#5
jcw Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: elmhurst, il Posts: 1,778	Just wondering why people are using bleach? I just rinse well, scrub a little and dry. It's not like they're not going right back in the fish poop they came from, right? __________________ I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, ATB elegance, eheim 1260, mp40 (too many failed wetsides), gyre 150 (love it)

08/13/2011, 01:37 PM	#6
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	A bit of disinfectant and aesthetics. __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 110 Oceanic RR w/35 gal sump and SRO XP2000 int

08/12/2011, 09:02 PM	#2
reefsurfing Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 499	I used to run them a cycle in the washing machine with nothing but bleach and dropped 'em in ro with "prime", afterwards, let them dry for 48 hours. Since then I have switched to the mesh version of filter solck and I am much happier vs the felt.

08/13/2011, 01:52 PM	#7
dublo8 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 3,225	Your filter sock holds a lot of nasties in them, so bleach is a good way to disinfect them just like the above poster mentioned. I turn my inside out and put them in the washer with my wifes white's lol and add an extra rinse cycle to it, just to make sure the bleach is gone, then let them dry. I have about 10 socks so they are always waiting in rotation. I also agree that the mesh socks are waaaaay better than the felt. Felt sometimes doesn't get as clean as I like and seems to make my skimmer go crazy every time I put a new one in, no matter how long I rinse it, my skimmer goes nuts for about 24 hours but the mesh ones don't. __________________ 10g IM fusion. Zoa and SPS dominant, Apex monitored, Ai Prime, MP10, sicce return.

08/13/2011, 02:10 PM	#8
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I can guarantee you that you will never get the filter sock as clean using manual cleaning methods as when running it in the washer with some bleach. just hang dry for a few days and the chlorine will dissipate. as to how much bleach, I don't really measure, but I'd say no more than 1 cup for a large washer load. I'd say even 1/2 cup is good enough.

08/14/2011, 07:20 PM	#9
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Honestly, I'm just really lazy, tossing a few socks in the washer with some bleach is about as easy a task as you can get with this hobby. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

08/25/2011, 01:27 PM	#13
Cayman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Solvang, CA Posts: 85	Washer, delicate cycle w/ a splash of bleach. Air dry for a day or so and back to the sump.

08/25/2011, 04:26 PM	#14
mmotown Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,520	I was mine in reg unscented cholorx bleach. Gets them clean and then I was again without to make sure they are rinsed well. Never had any problems with tank... I have 6 fs. When I get 3 or 4 dirty it's time to wash

08/25/2011, 04:45 PM	#15
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	turn sock inside out Rince in hot water with hose from sink put 4 to 5 socks in a 5gal bucket with one cup of bleach fill bucket half way with hot water soak over night rince out with rodi water hang out to dry..Been doin this for years don't trust washer could be some leftover detergent even after rince cycle...

08/25/2011, 07:32 PM	#16
thor109 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plainfield, Indiana Posts: 822	I just take outside turn inside out and spray with hose, let air dry and rinse in RO before putting back in. The come really clean with the pressure nozzle. I don't know what I'm going to do in winter. Maybe install hose in laundry room and spray off in bathtub. I just don't feel good putting in washer. There has to be left over soap in there. I know everyone does it, that's just how I feel.

08/25/2011, 07:35 PM	#17
foxrazr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Laredo,Texas Posts: 256	Been putting mine in the washer with bleach let air dry and use again in 2 weeks or so. No problems here.

08/25/2011, 07:41 PM	#18
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	With bleach you don't even have to turn them inside out.....I put it on whitest whites, sanitize, and heavily soiled and in 2:10 after an extra rinse they dry on top of the washer... No probs over 2 years.

08/29/2011, 02:18 PM	#19
GeoB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montgomery, NY Posts: 17	Has anyone tried useing Hydrogen Peroxide for this purpose?

08/29/2011, 02:47 PM	#20
UnusualSuspect Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 125	I don't bleach mine. I turn them inside out, put them in a mesh bag and run them through a hot-water wash with no soap or bleach, double rinse, then toss them in the dryer. Works great. __________________ Mike 90 gal (freshwater) 36 gal bow (reef)

08/29/2011, 07:27 PM	#22
Joe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Amish Country, PA. USA Posts: 978	I use Chlorox, but I soak my socks in a five gallon bucket, after hosing them off inside out. For those of us that have septic systems, bleach down the drain isn't a smart choice. I would never use a washing machine, for that reason. __________________ I put the laughter in slaughter. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Oceanic Tech Tank, Two MP40W Gen 2 Vortechs, H & S A-150-F2001 External Skimmer, Oceanic Model 3 Sump, Current Outer Orbit Pro 250 Watt MH/T5 Combo

08/30/2011, 04:19 PM	#23
yellowbellied Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 262	Where can I get some of the "mesh" socks that you guys are mentioning here?

10/24/2011, 05:24 AM	#25
hilde123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 625	Not to revive an old post, but, I got a set of mesh socks about a month ago and couldnt be any happier. They are super easy to clean with a garden hose and my ORP has gone up significantly since replacing my old felt socks with them which tells me I have less DOCs than I had before. Just my 2 cents.

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