filter sock cleaning

[acer]

Hi- how do you really clean these things. I have been spraying them off as best as possible and then rinsing them in RO water before putting them back to work. They have really helped my water quality. Using a 100 micron sock on the end of one of the overflow downpipes to the refugium. It started to clog after about 2-3 weeks at first , now only last 4-5 days before it starts to clog and overflow. Suggestions?? Maybe just buy a new sock, but many people say they are washable.

Thanks

Ted

 

[ReefingMadness]

I just throw in the washer by itself, run on hot with no soap. After, I soak (twisting and pumping up and downevery few minutes) for 30 or 40 minutes in RO/DI and prime and toss it back in. Right or wrong this is what I do.

 

[Tswifty]

I use the washer.

I run a rinse cycle before use to clear out any soap or residue that may have been left from prior use. Then load the socks, and wash in hot water w/ a cap of unscented bleach. Run an extra Rrnse cycle, and air dry completely.

 

[acer]

thanks

 

[RavieReefer]

I change mine out about weekly, when I do a water change. I place it in the washer with bleach and hot water. I use to run a second rince with a dechlorinator, but people from my reef club didn't do that step, so I quit it and have not had any issues in doing so. I do not run a rince cycle prior to washing.

 

[Tswifty]

I just did a photo documentation of how I clean mine on my build thread if anyone is interested:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15161154#post15161154

 

[Adam]

Ted,

+1 on the unscented bleach, no soap in the washing machine.

Once they dry, the bleach is completely gone, so no worries about any kind of residue.

Adam

 

[jhoff]

Shut down the filtration system and remove the dirty filter sock. Install a new, clean filter sock and fire the system back up.

Step 2Fill a clean bucket (those salt buckets come in handy here) half way with tap water and 2 cups of bleach. Hot water is a plus.

Step 3Add the filter sock to the water mix and swirl it around to break up any large chunks of debris.

Step 4Let the filter sock sit in the bleach water, covered, overnight. The next day put some rubber gloves on and grab a hold of the sock and give it a good scrubbing with your hands on itself. (grab either end and scrub away)

Step 5Remove the filter sock. Dump out the bleach water (down the drain, please! Don't kill the lawn!) and fill it half way with RO/DI water. Stick the filter sock into the RO/DI water and give it another good scrubbing, most of the dirt should be gone.

Step 6Dump out the water and let the filter sock air dry.

Step 7You now have a clean filter sock to install back onto your aquarium filter!

 

[Adam]

jhoff,

I don't object to your overall method, although I personally find the washing machine to be easier, however I do take issue with a couple of details:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15228150#post15228150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jhoff

Step 2Fill a clean bucket (those salt buckets come in handy here) half way with tap water and 2 cups of bleach. Hot water is a plus.

[/B]

Hot water is a minus. The heat drives the chlorine out of solution quickly, reducing it's effectiveness. Also, 2 cups of bleach in less than 5 gallons of water is A LOT. It probably isn't harmful, just wasteful.

Adam

 

[acer]

great stuff- new you guys woudl coem up with ways to do this properly- thanks

 

[Adam]

Ted,

Are you potsing durnk agian?

Adam

 

[acer]

nope -on vacation in myrtle beach and using a laptop - obviously not very well- wish I was tipsy- but allergies= no beer.