Sump? I want to remove my socks!!

Socks are the only way to go! I use the 200's also. Stopped for a couple of weeks and noticed a real difference in the water, without it was no where a clear.

I have 24 socks, 12 for each tank, when I get down to 4 socks I wash them that way I only have to wash them about once a month. You will like the 200 Micron ones way better than the 100's trust me.

I wash them in my wifes washer with a cup of bleach, rinse twice then soak in a bucket of RODI water with some chlorine remover to remove any bleach thats left, Then I air dry them down by my tanks. Has worked for the last 3 years.

 

Everyone has pretty much got this same routine haha. I currently have 4 socks. They last a week then I put a new one in. When I have three dirty socks just wash them with some bleach in the machine, extra rinse and presto! When I was newer I didnt even know they were washable so i just tossed it every two weeks (such a waste). I will second the BRS suggestion, I have also noticed their plastic to hold up better. One more thing that I personally do and since you have the same skimmer as me you might try this Pizza. I take a piece of Poly-Filter cut to size and stick in the bottom of the skimmer output box (the one with the sponge). I change this about every two weeks and discard the filter. If anyone out there does not use Poly-Filters I would suggest at least looking into them, they work wonders and have the neat ability of not re-releasing what they collect back into the tank. When they are "full" they turn colors, and they even turn different colors based on what they have taken out of the water.

 

i have only have 5 socks and wash pretty much the same way as you are. only difference is i run an extra rinse cycle and put the dechlorinater right in the washer in that last cycle. im also going to look into the 200 microns. i can deal with changing the sock once a week

 

In my washer if I out dechlorinater in it would still get straight tap water due to the chlorine dispencer releases before the final rinse and we have one of those front load washer so can't add before the last rinse.

So I take mine let them dry then rinse once in ro with dechlorinater and then again with just ro then put it in while it is wet so it does not add micro bubbles to the sump I use 200 micron socks also and have 7 of them

 

i also have a front load. just run a rinse cycle pull the drawer that you normally put the bleach and detergent in out and put it in that way, i put it in the detergent spot.thats where i see the water is running threw. you should also be able to pause the washer and open the door also and put it in that way once the water is in there

 

This may sound like a stupid question do you have any issues with any left over soap from washing clothes in the washing machine? I would be worried about this causing an issue in the tank. Maybe I'm just paranoid
I have always just rinsed mine out with a hose when they get dirty and eventually replace them.

 

i would guess that would depend on the washer. I myself have a maytag front loader, I did the wash like everyone has explained and everything has bee ok now for about 48 hours. Like they all said as well if you do an extra rinse cycle that should take care of any detergent that may be left. Wow folks I think my socks look brand new after the washer. All that time i could have saved hand washing those socks( A thing of the past) I love this site!!

 

The primary ingredients for detergent are phosphates and washing socks could very well end up being a big source of import for phosphates in your tank. Isn't going to kill anything, but will certainly fuel algae and could cause you extra expense getting rid of them.

If you really wanted to know, you could wash them like normal and then put them in a bucket of RO/DI ... let them soak a while... then test the water for PO4. Be sure to use a accurate test.... and no most hobby kits are not accurate. But if they registered anything at all on a Salifert then it would indeed be a major amount. I would recommend one would do that to make sure.

Personally I did not run any filters. Simply against added costs and maintenance. If I did I would use socks... but they just seem like a PITA. I wanted to be as maintenance free as possible.

Also, all that waste is food for the chain. Food for the macro algae, food for the pods and worms, food for the corals. I skimmed as much out with a good skimmer and called it good. Yes my water had some particulate in it... like every healthy reef does. JM.02

 

That is a few great pointers there Powerman. I think Ill wash as I did last time and then test for PO4. I just did a test on my water today and all checks out well. But I am intersested to see what it is after I soak in RoDI water. thanks

 

Thanks for the tips I will definately try it out.