washing sponge pre-filters

[jacksonpt]

I know a lot of people run their filter socks through the wash... any reason I couldn't do it with a sponge prefilter?

If it matters, I'm talking specifically about the sponges in my NextReef Reactors.

 

[Reefir]

i washed mine and they started to fall apart . i think the washer is too aggresive

 

[EllieSuz]

I know that bleach makes sponges disintegrate. I use a sponge on my overflow and I clean it with a "jet" setting on the hose nozzle.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw

fwiw

sponge filters can hold an AMAZING amount of crud. I never wash them in a washing machine. I rinse them repeatedly under under running tap water.

 

[Firedog1962]

I was wondering the same thing, what about soaking in a mild vinager solution?

 

[tmz]

I rinse them under the tap until the crud ( bacterial and other organics are gone). If there is precipitated calcium carbonate ,a soak in 50/50 vinegar and tap water for an hour or so followed by a rinse can help if you need to save the sponge.