filter socks, how do you clean them?

[ReefTech]

So I just started using filters socks again and I was curious to hear from fellow reefers how you go about cleaning them and how frequently you do? The last time I used them I was informed to flip it inside it and put in the washer and use hot water and a very small amount of bleach. This seemed to do the trick as far as cleaning them but they didn't seem to last that long. Right were the filter sock met the plastic rim, the material was disconnecting itself from the rim to the point were eventually it was barely even holding on. So needless to say I had to replace both of them but it was only around a month of them being used which seems a little to soon in my opinion. Right now, I currently have a small bio load in my 120 display. Theres a pair of black ice clowns, green file fish, melanarus wrasse, mandarin goby, and a small fox face. Everything else is coral. I appreciate any and all help.
Happy Reefing!!!

[fishtal]

When it's warm enough outside I clean mine with the jet setting on my garden hose and let them dry in the sun. When it's cold like it is now I rinse them in the laundry tub to get as much of the gunk out and then put them in the washer with bleach like you do.

One thing you should try is washing them on the extra gentle / slow / hand wash setting and they should last longer. :)

[binford4000]

We use the washing machine on gentle with max cold water level. We feed very heavy so we change ours about 3x a week. We don't use bleach tho. We do put them in nylon mesh dive bag which stops them from getting trashed in the spin cycle. :oldman:

[ReefTech]

Thanks for the info Tal, I figured that washing then in the regular cycle probably want the best thing for them after they feel apart. How long would you use one before before you yanked it out for a cleaning?

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[ReefTech]

Thanks Binford....do you now any benefits of washing in cold water to warm water and vise versa?

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[shawpanther23]

I rinse my in the sink with the sprayer to get the heavy stuff off ,then soak in a bucket with hydrogen peroxide for a couple hours then rinse them in the washing machine.

[reeferaddict]

I was told by preuss never to wash them in a washer with an agitator.. the agitator is what beats them up fast.. with that said I now own a front load washer and just throw them in inside out. I am using the thinner nylon ones and usually change out every week or so.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I wait until I've got about a dozen dirty socks then, washing machine, hot water, max load size, no detergent / lots of bleach - w/heavy duty agitation and 2 rinses then air dry. Quick rinse in RO prior to use.

Been using this method for years.

[binford4000]

I wait until I've got about a dozen dirty socks then, washing machine, hot water, max load size, no detergent / lots of bleach - w/heavy duty agitation and 2 rinses then air dry. Quick rinse in RO prior to use.

Been using this method for years.

Ditto minus the bleach and hot water(to cheap to use hot water ! Lol) :snorkel:

[Affordable Aquatic]

If they are not too crusted with salt and sand, turn them inside out and just toss in washing machine. If they are really crusty, wash once as is, and then turn inside out for a second rinse. No need to use bleach. Bleach will just cause them to degrade quicker and who cares if they look white or not.

[lemonjello]

I change out filter socks every three days . in the wash machine splash of bleach, run machine again no bleach then air dry. I find if I don't use bleach the filter socks smell ,well like dirty socks. most will go well its just a smell,but the thing about it is smells come from something right? if there is a nasty smell that is just a sign that there still is something in the fibers rotting. make sense ? or am I on the wrong page?

[robandrosco]

I've been running mine through the dishwasher on rinse only cycle. It gets pretty clean. Enough to satisfy me atleast.

[reeferaddict]

You know that the pumps in dishwashers shoot water in and out of dishwasher? Therefore u could b spraying that stuff back on your dishes.. I would opt for washer!

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[robandrosco]

so when i put nasty dirty dishes in my dishwasher it shoots nasty dirty water on them to wash them? I have a hard time believing that one..

[reeferaddict]

Dishwashers have a one pump system.. Same pump shoots out as in.. After a load is done any water left in that pump from previous load gets into new load.. Thats why some high end dishwashers use a two pump system.. Anyways I'm just an observer that had a thought.. Do what u will

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[robandrosco]

Right on I stand corrected. Going to make sur e I run an empty rinse cycle :)

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[reeferaddict]

Stainless steel cannot harbor bacteria, as in a washer tub. Plastic can, so unless u run a sanitize wash afterward, there might still be bacteria in there.. People can get sick from palytoxins.. U wanna risk that.. Thats the end of my .02 :)

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