Bleach
- Thread starter Junjokun
- Start date
After a good rinsing let it fully dry to avoid any carryover into the tank.
OldSchoolNewbie
New member
REMF ... I would be terrified of soap residue, just wash it in a dedicated bucket w/bleach diluted in water. a 4/1 mix should work well.
Here is a painful learning lesson that I'd like to pass on to all the new people out there. I recently changed to filter socks. I was advised to put the socks in the washer, add 1/4 cup bleach, rinse twice and hang to dry. Because of my tunnel vision I ended up killing 1/2 my corals and the others are still trying to recover. Granted I'm kind of new at all of this, but I should have really thought the steps through. I screwed up royally.
After changing my sock with a few hours I noticed the corals were closed, I kept watching and new something was terribly wrong. I tested the water and it was fine, but I did a 25 % water change, I also changed my sock. The protein skimmer was going bonkers. In a panic I called "my person" at the LFS and she was gracious enough to come right over. We went over everything trying to figure out what was wrong. We retraced my steps trying to find the cause. The fish looked wonderful, but the coral was obviously dying or in distress. Finally after looking at the washing machine we figured out what it was.
I have a new washing machine. It's they type that you pour the soap in a side cup and it slowly adds the detergent as the washer fills up. I had added the socks set the wash cycle, added the bleach and set the cycle for two rinses. What I didn't realize was there was soap residue in the detergent line. I also didn't realize that soap residue can destroy a beautiful reef in a matter of hours.
.I looked at many new washers before decided on which one to purchase and I can tell you that most of the new washers have the soap dispenser cup.
We discussed it and decided that it's probably best the I not use the washer even on just the rinse cycle, it's just not worth the risk. I'll wash the socks with the hose, both inside and out. I then place them in a bucket with bleach overnight. I will then rinse them with the hose and add them to a bucket with a small amount of prime, letting them soak over night and line dry.
I hope this information will help.
After changing my sock with a few hours I noticed the corals were closed, I kept watching and new something was terribly wrong. I tested the water and it was fine, but I did a 25 % water change, I also changed my sock. The protein skimmer was going bonkers. In a panic I called "my person" at the LFS and she was gracious enough to come right over. We went over everything trying to figure out what was wrong. We retraced my steps trying to find the cause. The fish looked wonderful, but the coral was obviously dying or in distress. Finally after looking at the washing machine we figured out what it was.
I have a new washing machine. It's they type that you pour the soap in a side cup and it slowly adds the detergent as the washer fills up. I had added the socks set the wash cycle, added the bleach and set the cycle for two rinses. What I didn't realize was there was soap residue in the detergent line. I also didn't realize that soap residue can destroy a beautiful reef in a matter of hours.
.I looked at many new washers before decided on which one to purchase and I can tell you that most of the new washers have the soap dispenser cup.
We discussed it and decided that it's probably best the I not use the washer even on just the rinse cycle, it's just not worth the risk. I'll wash the socks with the hose, both inside and out. I then place them in a bucket with bleach overnight. I will then rinse them with the hose and add them to a bucket with a small amount of prime, letting them soak over night and line dry.
I hope this information will help.
1SickReefer
New member
Many many ppl here including myself use the washing machine with bleach... it works great. Throw em in, wash, rinse hang dry and your gtg.. nice new looking socks.
All this bucket soaking for hours. rinsing with hoses, vinegar etc is why ppl think this hobby is "a lot of work"
Trust us, just use your washing machine.. socks only, some bleach and move on...
All this bucket soaking for hours. rinsing with hoses, vinegar etc is why ppl think this hobby is "a lot of work"
Trust us, just use your washing machine.. socks only, some bleach and move on...
Paul B
Premium Member
I use bleach for everything including sterilizing NSW but you must use "Regular" bleach. Scented bleaches like "Clorox Fresh Scent" will kill all of your fish in a few minutes. (don't ask)
You can clean anything you like with bleach but use REGULAR bleach and rinse it well. It is even better if you can air dry the item.
Paul
You can clean anything you like with bleach but use REGULAR bleach and rinse it well. It is even better if you can air dry the item.
Paul
Yes, actually bleach is made from hypochlorite and is the same dry substance used in pool chlorinators. However, once dissolved then allowed to dry, it breaks down and loses its potency. It is kind of like the Ole WaterKeeper.
OldSchoolNewbie
New member
Most chemicals will leach/disapate over a 24 hour period. By chemicals I mean the ones usually found in your tap water ... chlorine is a fine example. I used to use tap water that I had contained in a bucket for at least a week prior to use with no problems at all, eventually when I could afford a RO/DI system I used it exclusively. Bleach will disappear after a complete and thorough drying process, never rinse with bleach and then use the product wet.
Just one caution here OldSchool,
Many water plants are switching from chlorine to chloramines as of late. The latter does not dissipate to any great degree no matter how long the water sits. Of course, since any good reefer uses RO/DI water exclusively for their tank, it is a moot problem.
Many water plants are switching from chlorine to chloramines as of late. The latter does not dissipate to any great degree no matter how long the water sits. Of course, since any good reefer uses RO/DI water exclusively for their tank, it is a moot problem.
