Cleaning filter socks

[wickedfrags]

don't use bleach.....not required

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Well, I just did my first cleaning using bleach. After pre-rinsing, I let it soak in a pail with bleach added for a day, and then thoroughly rinsed it again before letting it sit in fresh water for another day.

I removed it from the fresh water, and rinsed it again. But to my surprise, I can still detect a faint odor of bleach on the filter bag. I haven't dried it yet, so maybe that is still necessary.

But I assume bleach is very bad for my tank. How much is allowable? Is rinsing and soaking in fresh water for a couple days enough?

I haven't gone the clothes washer route yet, but might try that in the future, if I buy some extras.

I am using the CPR 7" 200 micron socks with the plastic handles. They are very thick and stiff, and was not able to turn them inside out for easier rinsing.

[Bblinks]

Cap full of bleach with a bucket of water to soak is fine. I usually soak it for a week or so before the whole batch is ready for the laundry machine. I use a cap full of bleach also in the wash cycle. After the wash it gets air dried. Important part to remember is to make sure the socks are fully dried as the bleach will evaporate once its fully dried. I have used this method for years with no ill effects.

[Reef Pilot]

Thanks again for the responses. I haven't dried the sock yet, but will do that long before I use it. I just bought 4 more today, so have 6 in total. That will allow me to set up a regular cycle, where I can clean and wash several at a time. I ran the first one 5 days before changing, and it was still only about 2/3 of the way dirty, so looks like a sock should last a full week, no problem.

BTW, J&L has these CPR socks on sale right now. They are definitely large socks (7" x 16") with lots of capacity.

[Reef Pilot]

Just a quick update on my recent sock cleaning experience. Some have suggested washing without bleach. I tried that, and after a lot of washing and rinsing, they were still not clean. These 200 micron CPR socks are too thick and stiff to turn inside out, so it is very difficult to wash loose the crud that is stuck in the fibres.

I then soaked them in a bucket with some bleach for a couple days. And almost like magic, the crud was dissolved and easily washed out, clean and white. It took a couple more cycles of rinsing in clear water and then drying to get rid of the bleach smell. But at the end of a week, they were ready for use again.

These large socks easily last a week for me, so a weekly cycle is just the right amount of time to get them cleaned and ready for use again.

Thanks again to everyone for all your suggestions.

Also, for your interest, here are a couple pics of the sock hangar I made out of a scrap piece of lexan. I like working with lexan, as it is easy to cut and shape/form similar to a thin sheet of metal, but is incredibly strong. Works perfectly.

[The Guy]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Just a quick update on my recent sock cleaning experience. Some have suggested washing without bleach. I tried that, and after a lot of washing and rinsing, they were still not clean. These 200 micron CPR socks are too thick and stiff to turn inside out, so it is very difficult to wash loose the crud that is stuck in the fibres.

I then soaked them in a bucket with some bleach for a couple days. And almost like magic, the crud was dissolved and easily washed out, clean and white. It took a couple more cycles of rinsing in clear water and then drying to get rid of the bleach smell. But at the end of a week, they were ready for use again.

These large socks easily last a week for me, so a weekly cycle is just the right amount of time to get them cleaned and ready for use again.

Thanks again to everyone for all your suggestions.

Also, for your interest, here are a couple pics of the sock hangar I made out of a scrap piece of lexan. I like working with lexan, as it is easy to cut and shape/form similar to a thin sheet of metal, but is incredibly strong. Works perfectly.

Nice job on the hanger, I bought 2 - 200 micron x14" and 2- 100 micron x14", have not used any yet with my new set up. which one should I start with?

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by clown lover

Nice job on the hanger, I bought 2 - 200 micron x14" and 2- 100 micron x14", have not used any yet with my new set up. which one should I start with?

I have only used the 200 micron as that was what was recommended to me. Seems to be just right for my bio load and lasts a full week before having to change it. It is a 7 X 16 inch size sock, though, so lots of capacity.

You might want to try both, and see which one works best for you. If you can get more than a few days with your 100 micron, that should provide the cleanest water.

My 200 micron sock is the felt fibre type. I was told that the mesh ones clog up faster.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by clown lover

Nice job on the hanger, I bought 2 - 200 micron x14" and 2- 100 micron x14", have not used any yet with my new set up. which one should I start with?

be nice if somehow the polished water from the 200 went into the 100.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by lastlight

be nice if somehow the polished water from the 200 went into the 100.

Well, you could make another hanger that just sat on top of the main hanger raising the sock by about 1 inch. Then have the 100 micron on the bottom main hanger, and the 200 on top draining into the 100 sock underneath.

I think that would be a little overkill. I still expect the skimmer to do its job of nutrient export. The 200 micron sock does a good enough job of catching the bigger bits which helps my skimmer last longer before having to clean off the build-up in the neck.