Best Way To Clean Filter Sock

Cuby2k · 12/02/2006, 04:19 PM

I have a filter sock on my drain to the sump that is giving me fits. When I first added it about 10 days ago it immediately had a positive effect on my tank. The water was clearer in about 30 minutes.

Problem is the sock loads up very fast now and overflows the top. I have cleaned it out in the sink several times and backflushed it by turning it inside out and running water through it but it still gets plugged fast.

QUESTION: What is the best way to clean these things so they perform back to their (almost) original state? Or do they reach their life cycle in less than two weeks and then you chuck 'em?

I could really use some advice from some you more experienced reefers. I'll see if I can attach a picture or two so you can see what it is I am talking about.

bkbailes07 · 12/02/2006, 04:26 PM

i usually throw them in the washing machine with some bleach and then when they are done i wash them off again in the sink and let them air dry. leaving them out to air dry will remove all of the leftover chlorine if any.

mwwhite · 12/02/2006, 04:26 PM

We also have a sock filter. We were told to throw it in the wash machine with bleach only (couple of capfuls only and no soap and large load size of water) and a couple of white towels - let it run through the normal cycle - then rinse again -- I then take it out and rinse by hand one more time really good (10 minutes or so) to get any remaining bleach out then air dry for at least two days.

We have two socks we use - one is always clean -- we have to change ours weekly or it will begin to clog up....

Hope this helps...

Cuby2k · 12/02/2006, 08:55 PM

That does help and I am glad to see some consensus, thanks.

I guess I'll have to buy another one. The guy at the LFS wasn't kidding when he said I'll need two, I just thought he was trying to feed me a line.

Nuuze · 12/02/2006, 09:40 PM

I just was them on a hot cycle/quick wash with the bag flipped inside out. Seems to come out fine.

Cuby2k · 12/02/2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nuuze
I just was them on a hot cycle/quick wash with the bag flipped inside out. Seems to come out fine.

Does it seem to flow as well as it did when it was new?

Nuuze · 12/02/2006, 10:23 PM

Yep!

syrinx · 12/02/2006, 11:37 PM

I soak them in a bucket of bleach water- every so often swishing and dunking them. Then they go to a bucket of fresh water with scads of dechlor in it- then to air dry. I use 3 per tank. Having a covered bleach bucket as well as a covered vinigar bucket will help you keep a lot of stuff in 100% condition. I never did it until I saw it done- and it is incredible.

zmovegolf · 12/03/2006, 05:04 PM

You can always wash them in hot water and rinse them with ro. I always try to avoid bleach. Just my opinion.

12/02/2006, 04:19 PM	#1
Cuby2k Cuby2k Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 982	Best Way To Clean Filter Sock I have a filter sock on my drain to the sump that is giving me fits. When I first added it about 10 days ago it immediately had a positive effect on my tank. The water was clearer in about 30 minutes. Problem is the sock loads up very fast now and overflows the top. I have cleaned it out in the sink several times and backflushed it by turning it inside out and running water through it but it still gets plugged fast. QUESTION: What is the best way to clean these things so they perform back to their (almost) original state? Or do they reach their life cycle in less than two weeks and then you chuck 'em? I could really use some advice from some you more experienced reefers. I'll see if I can attach a picture or two so you can see what it is I am talking about. __________________ Rod "Cuby" Current Tank Info: 180 display, 100 gal DIY fuge/sump, DIY skimmer.

12/02/2006, 08:55 PM	#4
Cuby2k Cuby2k Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 982	That does help and I am glad to see some consensus, thanks. I guess I'll have to buy another one. The guy at the LFS wasn't kidding when he said I'll need two, I just thought he was trying to feed me a line. __________________ Rod "Cuby" Current Tank Info: 180 display, 100 gal DIY fuge/sump, DIY skimmer.

12/02/2006, 11:37 PM	#8
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	I soak them in a bucket of bleach water- every so often swishing and dunking them. Then they go to a bucket of fresh water with scads of dechlor in it- then to air dry. I use 3 per tank. Having a covered bleach bucket as well as a covered vinigar bucket will help you keep a lot of stuff in 100% condition. I never did it until I saw it done- and it is incredible. __________________ My views are based on 49years as an aquarist, 25 years as a pro reef consultant, 10 years of owning a LFS, and the results of thousands of customers tanks. But I am always learning.

12/02/2006, 04:26 PM	#2
bkbailes07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 266	i usually throw them in the washing machine with some bleach and then when they are done i wash them off again in the sink and let them air dry. leaving them out to air dry will remove all of the leftover chlorine if any.

12/02/2006, 04:26 PM	#3
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	We also have a sock filter. We were told to throw it in the wash machine with bleach only (couple of capfuls only and no soap and large load size of water) and a couple of white towels - let it run through the normal cycle - then rinse again -- I then take it out and rinse by hand one more time really good (10 minutes or so) to get any remaining bleach out then air dry for at least two days. We have two socks we use - one is always clean -- we have to change ours weekly or it will begin to clog up.... Hope this helps...

12/02/2006, 09:40 PM	#5
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	I just was them on a hot cycle/quick wash with the bag flipped inside out. Seems to come out fine.

12/02/2006, 10:23 PM	#7
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Yep!

12/03/2006, 05:04 PM	#9
zmovegolf Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	You can always wash them in hot water and rinse them with ro. I always try to avoid bleach. Just my opinion.