+Hydro Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I started out cleaning my filter socks which is nasty work, but it only seemed like a few days before it needed cleaning again. Recently I ordered 10 off of ebay for $5 each, the dirty socks I have been saving and I will either throw them away or I might take a trip to the carwash to clean them (haven't tried that yet). What do you guys do with them? Any tricks? What micron fliter do you guys use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaJohn Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I dont think the car wash is a good Idea even there clean water from the gun is recycled and has soap in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I turn mine inside out and rense them then put them in a 5 gallon bucket with a little bleach in the water and soak for a day then rinse them out and hang them to dry. You can also put them in washer etc. Vinegar water works well also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I noticed on Bulk Reef Supply that they have mesh and felt bags. Which do yall use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 white felt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 do you need to wash them before you use them the 1st time to remove any loose felt fibers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Hydro Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 Really good point about the carwash...I guess that I could dig out my own pressure washer to be on the safe side. I just can't get them clean enough turning them inside out and washing them. A new sock will last me about a week but a cleaned one lasts maybe 3 days. I use the white felt socks. I don't wash them when they are new and haven't ever noticed that any problems except a ton of microbubbles, that last for about 15 minutes or so. What micron filter do you guys use? How often do you change/clean your socks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I use the smallest I could get (10 micron I think). I never washed them when new. I would change them when the flow thru the sock got too restricted. I washed them in the washer using the recommended amount (per the bleach bottle). I would usually put them thru the rinse cycle twice. If you get the ones without the plastic ring, they are much easier to clean and turn inside out for washing. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddybluewater Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I changed to the mesh a couple months ago and like them. They are much easier to clean and are the same 200 micron as the felt. I get them from BRS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 That's good to know. Also, gues I was way off on the micron size Next time I'll look it up. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I use the white felt. I keep a 5g bucket about half full with water in the garage to store used socks in. I bought about 12 of them once for around $5 apiece here at ARC. I run them for about 4 days, remove and place in the bucket. By keeping them wet they tend not to smell or get funky. About once a month I toss them in the washing machine with no soap and no bleach, just hot water. The real trick is to have a lot of them on hand. I can see what a PITA it could be if you only had one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 You should wash band new one before use. They will make you skimmer go nuts if you don't. I use to throw dirty ones in my washer with a small amount of bleach. Double rinse cycle. It much easier than trying to was the nasty things with a water hose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayneb Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I imagine this was covered in an earlier forum, but I'm pleading old age. How and where do you use them? wayneb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 on the overflow in the sump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayneb Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Okay I think I understand, thanks. Dave, if you read this I would like to check out your sump/fuge and ro/di system at the meeting. Will probably take more pictures of those then of your tank. wayneb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I use the white felt. I keep a 5g bucket about half full with water in the garage to store used socks in. I bought about 12 of them once for around $5 apiece here at ARC. I run them for about 4 days, remove and place in the bucket. By keeping them wet they tend not to smell or get funky. About once a month I toss them in the washing machine with no soap and no bleach, just hot water. The real trick is to have a lot of them on hand. I can see what a PITA it could be if you only had one. Ditto, I do the same. No soap or bleach seem necessary, my felt ones come out white as new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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