Filter Sock ?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by cpc12, Nov 10, 2011.

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  1. cpc12

    cpc12 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I was told by a friend that I should clean my filter sock with a small amount of bleach in a 5 gal pail of water.

    I did this a few times, rinsed it 3 times before putting it back in the tank, Im concerned about using such a harsh chemical in the system, is this normal ?

    How do you guys clean your filter socks and how often ?

    Thanks
     
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  3. roblox84

    roblox84 Bristle Worm

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    I have been using bleach on my filter socks for a while now with no ill effects. Just make sure they're completely dry so theres no residual bleach left on them. As for changing them, I do it every 4 days. Some change them every two days but mine don't get as dirty fast.

    I also just soak them in a bucket with bleach. Then when I got enough dirty ones in there I just rinse the dirt and bleach off all of them and set out to dry.

    Sent from my VM670
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2011
  4. saltyfresh

    saltyfresh Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    I put mine in the washer on sanitary, with 1cup bleach it is about 15 socks and they are pre washed, when they are done I was agin by hand so no sope is left from washer. Then let comply dry so all bleach evaporates.
     
  5. cpc12

    cpc12 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    So once the bleach evaporates its gone ?

    It still smells like bleach a little, I guess if other people do it I will as well.

    There are no other methods of cleaning them ?

    Who sells the nice thick ones ? I got one with my trigger sump and it is nice and thick, I purchased a few other ones and they were real thin and nylon.
     
  6. roblox84

    roblox84 Bristle Worm

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    Yeah mine still smells like bleach a little also but is has never caused any harm. I got the nice thick ones at bulkreefsupply.com

    Sent from my VM670
     
  7. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    The best way to remove bleach is to rinse in *cold* water:)
     
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  9. roblox84

    roblox84 Bristle Worm

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    I forgot to mention, make sure you get the felt ones. I've tried the mesh and they suck bad. Everything goes right through the mesh. From what it sounds you might have gotten the nylon mesh ones by mistake.

    Sent from my VM670
     
  10. saltyfresh

    saltyfresh Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    I was just about to start a thread about the mesh ones! Are they that bad? They just sound easy to clean and maybe won't trap the small food so that the corals have a longer chance to get it?
     
  11. saltyfresh

    saltyfresh Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    And I just smelt my clean storage container it smells like bleach. Never had ill affects. Still wash them off.
     
  12. roblox84

    roblox84 Bristle Worm

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    The mesh socks were very easy to clean. You just had to rinse them under the tap and they would come clean. I should tell you that I had the 200 micron mesh socks and they let so much stuff through. Although it was very small stuff it still settled and coated the bottom of my sump which had vacuumed up with every cleaning which just took up more time. The felt socks keep the bottom of my sump perfectly clean. I have heard better reviews with people using much smaller micron rated mesh socks but then they said the socks clogged and overflowed within like a day or two. So if you really want to try mesh, I would go for something smaller than 200 micron.

    I remember also seeing socks that are mesh on the inside and felt on the outside. Like a mesh sock inside a felt sock. I never tried it but it seems interesting.

    Sent from my VM670