Filter Sock Issue

[Hungriee]

I use to hand wash filter socks when I started using them, but got real lazy after 4-5 times and decided to collect 2-3 and dump them into a washing machine to wash w/ clorox instead. This weekend I did and hand rinsed them 3-4 times after the machine wash. I replaced one tonight after the sock started to brown up and began to clog. Once I placed in a new sock (newly washed) my skimmer went nuts, the skimmer chamber was super cloudy filled w/ microbubbles. My tank looked fine, but noticed two species of zoas looked irritated.

Should I swap the sock or will it be fine? Im thinking the new routine messed it up, i probably ahve to rinse it more?

 

[Hungriee]

guys wana share your ways of cleaning filter socks? I can never get it clean, its always brown.

 

[Creeper Reefer420]

I would never use anything but the water from your tank to wash the sock. THe skimmer is going crazy because the sock still has clorox on it, you should throw it out and use a new one. When rinsing the sock use a container filled with tank water and rub it with both hands until all the brown gunk comes off untill water becomes clear. You should swap it out with a pre-soaked one (with tank water) at least twice a week IMO. This is what works for me!!!!

 

[pecan2phat]

I throw about 8 to 12 socks in the washer at a time. (the dirty socks are rinsed in a slop sink prior to storing in a covered 5g bucket to get out as much debris, worms, pods & serpent stars as possible) I fill with hot water and add about 2 cups of bleach. After the the initial wash and rinse cycle, I run the washer again but with just water. I let them air dry for 24 hours and that's it. Been doing this for 5 to 6 years and never had a problem.

 

[flipit13]

i wash mine in the washing machine with plain bleach then keep them soaking in a pail with ro/di water till i change them.... i use to have the same problem skimmer would go nuts but that was before when i hand washed them

 

[Wes]

make sure you are using plain ol bleach. not any of the color safe or scented stuff.

also make sure the socks have completely air dried before using.

if you use plain bleach in a hot wash cycle, whatever residue left in the sock dissipates as the sock dries.

or your problem could be detergent that was left in the washer from your last load of laundry. It's probably not a bad idea to run a hot cycle empty before using your machine to wash filter socks.

 

[MARCOANTONIOJR]

bleach with hot water in the washer
and then i put em in the dryer on superhot.
clean as a whistle. never had a problem.
i rotate like 10 of em.

 

[cali_reef]

I think the key to washing is to use only plain bleach and air dry for at least a few days before using.

Used socks are stored in 5 gallon closed buckets until I am ready to wash them, un-rinsed :bablefish. I typically wash a load of 5-10 socks and not use the batch for at least a week while they are being air dried in the laundry room.

 

[da5speed]

I use my power washer and clean 4 at time unless it winter then just a good scrub in a bucket. Put wow they are like new after 3 minutes with the power washer

 

[tomtoothdoc]

i store the used ones in a lidded 5gal. bucket. once i accumulated to about 10-12 socks then i wash them in a commercial machine. it's much bigger than the home machine. run first cycle with plain bleach and hot water then run another cycle with just hot water then machine dried. after a few months, if they don't get clean anymore or tear then i'd thow them out.

 

[JHOV2324]

i wash with 2 caps of bleach then dry them in the drier...my skimmer goes nuts as well so i just turn it off for the night....then plug it back in the next day...

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

This is my general routine.

1) I have 6 socks that I rotate thu the sump. I change them out every 5th day. I keep all the dirty socks in a 5 gallon container of old salt mix until I am ready to clean them in the washing machine. Each sock before I put into the container gets turned inside out and washed by hand under a slop sink(just to get the larger crap out. Also some small critters find there way in them as well.) When I use the 6th sock its time to do laundry....:splitspin
3) I then throw them in the washing machine inside out with 3 caps of non-scented bleach on a hot water cycle.
4) When the cycle is done I let it run again in the wash.
5) When this is done I take them out and throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes and they are done.
6) Nice and clean and ready for instant use...

Hope this helps

 

[straightjiggy10]

I wash mines by hand no soap or bleach in high pressure till all white!

 

[ecvernon]

i put them inside out and then soak them in a little bleach water.
then i put it in(6-8 socks) the wash machine with 1/2 cup of bleach on hot water setting. then let air dry.
my skimmer does not go nuts the foam action slows down some though for like a couple of hours