speeding up organic breakdown?

[567234ta]

Is there some kind of chemical i could use to speed the process of breaking down fish waste and algae. This is for my filter socks only. I typically rinse them with a garden hose really well inside and out to remove all the gunk and then wash them, because throwing them in the wash i am left over with small bit of algae inside them which would break down and release their pollutants into the water. With the colder months coming it is gonna be a real pain to rinse 15 socks outside in freezing weather. So i was thinking if i could soak them in a container with something that would completely break down the waste to micro size bits that easily wash out in the machine.

What could i use?

 

[KCombs]

...plain ole bleach seems to work pretty good..

I turn them inside out, soak them in a bleach/water solution for a day or so and throw them in the wash (I pre-rinse the machine to remove as much soap as possible)

 

[kaskiles]

You can also soak socks in a OxiClean solution.

 

[elegance coral]

I just wash mine in the washer with bleach. They always come out clean. I don't even rinse, or turn mine inside out. Maybe you just aren't using enough bleach in the washer???????

 

[Wade1]

I use vinegar in the washing machine, seems to work well

 

[boozeman]

Buy them in bulk and just dispose

 

[swcc]

bleach and hot water wash cycle... they come out like new. I do run a second water onlly cycle to be sure no bleach leftover.... then into the dryer.

 

[567234ta]

You guys must not have the bits of algae and stuff like i do that get caught in the sock. If i just wash them in bleach there are still a few bits left inside.If i rinse them with the hose first they come out like brand new. But trying to find something that will break down any organics like that in a couple days, lye maybe? lime? I also use them on my koi tub in which they get so nasty it isn't even like something from this planet they way they smell.

 

[grcforce327]

I use both vinegar and bleach together in the washing machine.