Filter Sock Cleaning Question

[jef4y]

After the upgrade I started using filter socks for the first time ever. I picked up 5 of them and rotate them every 4-6 days (light bioload).

For cleaning I have been turning inside out and running through the washer on a short cycle with only some bleach. However, the last sock I ran through, I forgot to pull it out of the washer and my son ran another load with it, and with detergent & fabric softener. My initial reaction is to throw that sock out because of any residual detergents in it, but I'm not sure if I'm just making a big deal out of nothing.

Thoughts?

 

[johniii]

Just wash it bleach only again.
I washed mine with detergent before and put it in use.
By accident. My wife had the washer fill already.
No ill effects other than the Skimmer going crazy for 15mins

 

[mc524]

Crap...someone STOP the train! You mean to tell me you can wash these suckers?:wow2: I've been changing mine out about every 4-5 days and pitching them in the trash!:roll:
So, ya just toss them in the wash with some bleach, and they come out nice and clean? Cold or Hot water? Whites normally get washed in Hot...but not like I'm wearing THESE socks!

 

[johniii]

Use cold water and save the power or gas. Make sure you let them sit 24hrs so residual bleach will evaporate. I have 4 use 3 then wash 3. Get a small trash can with a lid to go in your stand and use it for a filter sock hamper.

 

[mc524]

JohnIII;794814 wrote: Use cold water and save the power or gas. Make sure you let them sit 24hrs so residual bleach will evaporate. I have 4 use 3 then wash 3. Get a small trash can with a lid to go in your stand and use it for a filter sock hamper.

Dang it. I just tossed 2 in trash last night. I will start with the current filter that is in the sump now. :up: Awesome, "the wife" will be so thrilled...I'd be saving a bit of money (as I never come home from the LFS with just Filter Socks), though she will need to get over the idea of having the fish yuk in the clothes washer.:yuk: Hey, that's what the bleach is for!

 

[jef4y]

Thanks John. I'll re-wash it.

MC, have you seriously been throwing them out?!? Wow.

 

[cj22009]

+1 On what John said I have had the same thing happen to me had it in the wash. The gf didn't see it done a load on laundry so I just ran it though by it's self with bleach and I didn't have any issues

 

[mc524]

JeF4y;794820 wrote: Thanks John. I'll re-wash it.

MC, have you seriously been throwing them out?!? Wow.

Yeah man...LFS didn't ever say anything about being able to wash them!:roll: I was buying 2 at a time. Though, it was only a couple of months ago that I switched to socks from filter material. So maybe bought a dozen or so in that time frame. Still though, at $5-$6 a pop. :mad2:
I understand trying to make money, but I'm a little miffed that they didn't bother to say anything as they watched me buy 2 at a time, EVERY WEEK.:roll:

 

[jef4y]

ouch...

Hmmm... what else are you throwing away? LOL

Edit:

Andrew32;794829 wrote: i use hydrogen peroxide. there is a great thread on reef central of someone who did an experiment with bleach and found that although it does red of the brown color, it does very little to break down the organics compred to hydrogen peroxide.

Interesting... I'll have to look at that.

 

[mc524]

JeF4y;794836 wrote: ouch...

Hmmm... what else are you throwing away? LOL

Edit:

Interesting... I'll have to look at that.

:lol2:Nothing else until I post it up here to see what everyone else does with whatever it is!

 

[seth the wine guy]

Fabric softener is not easily rinsed or washed away. Question is, are you willing to take even a small risk over $5?

 

[eagle9252]

just an FYI bleach looses its cleaning ability after it gets so hot. i just cant remember what the temp is. i'm thinking either 103* or 107* after that its just smelly water LOL

 

[acroholic]

I don't understand why folks are still using felt socks?

For mesh socks, all you do is turn them inside out, blast them with a garden hose, and you are done. Soak them in a bleach solution once every couple months. I used the same two 100 micron nylon mesh filter socks on my 300 for the past 2 years. Just switched out my 465 gallon system's felt socks for mesh of the same size in 100 micron.

I wouldn't use felt socks regularly any more if you paid me....too much trouble. Mesh socks are greener anyways. You don't have to use gallons of water, detergent, electricity, a washing machine, or anything. Less than a gallon of water and a minute of effort cleans them out.

http://www.filterbag.com">www.filterbag.com</a>

I think I paid about $5-$6 each for the five 100 and five 200 micron bags I just bought. I need to clean them about every 4-5 days.

 

[kirkplunkett]

Just a quick tid-bit... After washing them with bleach, rinse them in RO with a little Seachem Prime. It will bind anything that may have transferred over from the washer and/or bleach that wasn't completely rinsed out.

You can thank JennM for this... It's her trick, not mine.

 

[johniii]

Seth The Wine Guy;794844 wrote: Fabric softener is not easily rinsed or washed away. Question is, are you willing to take even a small risk over $5?

This is a good question. As mine was accidental. If I had known I would probably scrap it.

 

[mc524]

Acroholic;794846 wrote: I don't understand why folks are still using felt socks?

For mesh socks, all you do is turn them inside out, blast them with a garden hose, and you are done. Soak them in a bleach solution once every couple months. I used the same two 100 micron nylon mesh filter socks on my 300 for the past 2 years. Just switched out my 465 gallon system's felt socks for mesh of the same size in 100 micron.

I wouldn't use felt socks regularly any more if you paid me....too much trouble. Mesh socks are greener anyways. You don't have to use gallons of water, detergent, electricity, a washing machine, or anything. Less than a gallon of water and a minute of effort cleans them out.

http://www.filterbag.com">www.filterbag.com</a>

I think I paid about $5-$6 each for the five 100 and five 200 micron bags I just bought. I need to clean them about every 4-5 days.[/QUOTE]

Which model are you using? Looks like they might flow better as they are not as thick. The sock filters catch a good bit of protein for me, or whatever the orange stuff is that it collects.
Might just have to look into trying these Mesh Bags out. Course, I've never seen this style in any of the LFS, so looks like Online Order is it huh?

 

[acroholic]

I use item #s NMO100P1P and NMO200P1P. Nylon mesh, 100 and 200 micron, 7" x 14" size and plastic ring. The filter bag finder tool on the left side of the home page is handy.

They supposedly have a 25 bag minimum order, but they sold me five of each type. Just ask the sales person. Be willing to buy five of whatever type because it helps them keep their inventory straight, so they did not mind just selling me 5 100 micron and 5 200 micron sizes. Call them using their contact tel#. Or if you find 1-2 others, just buy 25 of whatever size you want.

There is another company called filterbags dot com. Don't confuse them. Nothing wrong with that company, just don't know anything about their products. I've been buying from filterbag.com for several years.

 

[ralph atl]

Acroholic;794846 wrote: I don't understand why folks are still using felt socks?

For mesh socks, all you do is turn them inside out, blast them with a garden hose, and you are done. Soak them in a bleach solution once every couple months. I used the same two 100 micron nylon mesh filter socks on my 300 for the past 2 years. Just switched out my 465 gallon system's felt socks for mesh of the same size in 100 micron.

I wouldn't use felt socks regularly any more if you paid me....too much trouble. Mesh socks are greener anyways. You don't have to use gallons of water, detergent, electricity, a washing machine, or anything. Less than a gallon of water and a minute of effort cleans them out.

http://www.filterbag.com">www.filterbag.com</a>

I think I paid about $5-$6 each for the five 100 and five 200 micron bags I just bought. I need to clean them about every 4-5 days.[/QUOTE]


took the words write out of my mouth.....

I just blast them with the sprayer in kitchen sink, same difference.

 

[mc524]

Acroholic;794870 wrote: I use item #s NMO100P1P and NMO200P1P. Nylon mesh, 100 and 200 micron, 7" x 14" size and plastic ring. The filter bag finder tool on the left side of the home page is handy.

They supposedly have a 25 bag minimum order, but they sold me five of each type. Just ask the sales person. Be willing to buy five of whatever type because it helps them keep their inventory straight, so they did not mind just selling me 5 100 micron and 5 200 micron sizes. Call them using their contact tel#. Or if you find 1-2 others, just buy 25 of whatever size you want.

There is another company called filterbags dot com. Don't confuse them. Nothing wrong with that company, just don't know anything about their products. I've been buying from filterbag.com for several years.

Good deal! Thanks for the info. I noticed the "minimum order", figured you had some sort of inside secret!

 

[mufret]

Sounds like a great time for a group buy on some "socks"!

I'm in for 5.