Who uses filter socks?

[DgenR8]

We bought a new washer recently and I'm not at all impressed. I used to get my filter socks clean with two, maybe three cycles, using only hot water, no soap.
Socks do not come clean with that approach in our new machine, even with more cycles. Is there any "safe" detergent for washing filter socks??

 

[tunicata]

Well, I've always used bleach.

I typically pour 1-2 capfuls in, put it in on the shortest wash cycle.
Then do it 1 more time, with bleach again (I usually use the socks on the tank longer than I should).
Then let it run just with hot water for a midlength wash.

Since i usually wash the socks when no one else needs to use the machine, I tend to let it do another plain wash cycle just because I can.

I always have back up clean socks.

 

[jarrett shark]

I use them and find if I do quick wash they never clean
I put on for 40mins and hot/cold and fast with 2 caps of bleach they clean as be

Larry how old is your wash machine ?

 

[albano]

I have a fairly new washer...I run about 20 socks, inside out, thru hot water w/bleach, extra rinse ... Then a second hot wash, outside out, no bleach, extra rinse...socks are over 3 yrs old and still look like new

 

[DgenR8]

Bleach doesn't actually get them clean, it just makes the stains so you can't see them. I'm looking for a detergent that will clean the gak, and still be safe for my tank.
I bought the stupid washer about a year ago, Jarrett. It's a top load washer without an agitator, made to offer the best of a front load without front load leak problems.. It's okay for clothes, but it does a really lousy job on my filter socks.

 

[Sophie10]

Bleach absolutely cleans. Most of the stain in the socks is actually diatoms and other bacteria. The bleach isn't just whitening, it is destroying the bacteria and algae by denaturing them. I have a small system (65g/20g sump) and have about 6 filtersox in rotation. I just put mine in a bucket with 5 - 10% bleach overnight, stir it once or twice and rinse them under the faucet. I hang them to dry and use within a few days.

I reluctant to use the washer because we use it with detergent and fabric softeners. You could be putting trace amounts in your tank over time. As for a detergent to clean the GAC, I wouldn't use anything but washing soda (Sodium carbonate), even oxyclean has some surfactants in it. Sorry about your washer!

 

[DgenR8]

During the summer, I take the socks outside and blast them with the hose when I remove them. They get nice and clean after a cycle or two in the washer when you start out that way. It's obviously not an option at this time of year.
Also to be considered, I run Lanthanum Chloride in my system and a good amount of what's caught in my 10 micron filter socks is bound phosphates.

 

[Awibrandy]

I use filter socks. I have 12 in rotation. I put the dirty socks in a bucket with about 1/4 cup of bleach, and water where they stay until I am down to the last 2 socks running in the sump. I then turn them inside out run them through my front load washer with a 1/4 cup of bleach through the white cycle with presoak, prewash, double rinse once. Then I turn them right side out, and do the same as above. Lastly I do the same as above, but with no bleach.
I did the same when I was using the lanthanum.
Only thing is: I haven't done so in quite some time. As Larry can attest, my tank has fallen by the way side. To much going on, and therefore tank maintenance has fallen way beyound the back burner. Actually it has actually fallen behind the stove.lol

 

[Usernam Invalid]

I clean my filter socks weekly in a 5gal bucket couple cap fulls of bleach let soak inside out over night than rinse with hot water till clean. During the summer blast with the hose outside. I never put socks in laudry for fear of trace amounts of detergent n if the wife caught me the fish n I would b out

 

[albano]

I put the dirty socks in a bucket with about 1/4 cup of bleach, and water where they stay until I am down to the last 2 socks running in the sump. I then turn them inside out run them through my front load washer...

I clean my filter socks weekly in a 5gal bucket couple cap fulls of bleach let soak inside out over night than rinse with hot water till clean...

I'm no expert on cleaning, but I would think that sitting the socks in bleach is just making the dirt 'invisible', because it's not removing it.
I do add bleach to the washing machine, but not every time...I find that my routine of 2 hot wash cycles w/extra rinse, 1 w/socks inside out, gets them clean enough that bleach is not needed for the next time or 2!

 

[DgenR8]

My quest for clean filter socks has been answered. I still think that bleach is only making the socks look clean, it may be killing anything and everything, but it's not removing dirt.
Fragrance free Super Washing soda on the other hand does, and I've been assured, by someone I trust completely that it's safe to use.

 

[jarrett shark]

My quest for clean filter socks has been answered. I still think that bleach is only making the socks look clean, it may be killing anything and everything, but it's not removing dirt.
Fragrance free Super Washing soda on the other hand does, and I've been assured, by someone I trust completely that it's safe to use.

Not saying above is not true but here is my test I did today:
I really think bleach kills and cleans filter socks 100% because here is an example today I tried.

I have one used 7" filter sock that has been not changed for 6months in my QT, and it has been overflowing over for about 5 months if was clogged solid.
I also have one on my main display tank that was also clogged but only 2 weeks and was also overflowing but still getting water thru it. ( I have them hang above water to see if going thru or overflow sides
We'll today I put the QT sock in a bucket with 1/4 cup of bleach only and the main sock in a washmachine with 1/4 cup bleach. We'll they both where white as can be. My main issue was if not clean will they overflow? I also have a brand new one to put with test. We'll I put both dirty ones in to see if a change and they both did not overflow or back up at all if dirty. So the. I put The new one in and this one has the same flow as the cleaned ones.

My point if it was dirty Or clogged a little I would see one hold water in sock like if clogged was doing before I changed but since both cleaned two different ways with just bleach. I think the wash machine does better job because I do have small spots when I just put in a bucket for not long period of time..