How to Clean Felt Filter Socks and Filter Bags & FAQ

FELT FILTER SOCKS

The Aquatic Experts Way to Clean

 Many people have asked us about the best way to clean their filter socks.  Some people will take their aquarium filter socks and simply clean them at a sink. While this may work for thin mesh bags, fine micron felt filter bags require a more thorough cleaning process to remove trapped particles.

When you remove your filter socks for cleaning, ensure that they are empty by shaking them out into a bucket. Depending on how your aquarium overflow system is built, it is possible to find all sorts of critters including small fish, crabs, snails, bristle worms, sea cucumbers, as well as algae, pieces of rock and other mysterious materials. Many times trapped animals will actually be alive and can be returned to your aquarium. Since our method uses a washing machine, it may be more efficient to collect several sets of dirty socks [from previous changes] before cleaning them.

HOW TO WASH YOUR AQUARIUM FILTER SOCKS

• Optional - run your washer in a hot rinse cycle to remove all soap residue (normally only necessary in older machines).
• Set washer to heavy-duty cycle and wash socks in hot water. (Note: any temperature seems to give good results with this method.)
• Use 3 capfuls (teaspoons) dye- and fragrance-free bleach (Sodium hypochlorite with no additives).
• DO NOT Use OxiClean, laundry detergent, or any other soap product.
• Add an extra rinse cycle at the end of the wash to ensure the bleach is removed.
• After you remove socks from the washer they may still have a hint of bleach smell.

HOW TO DRY YOUR FILTER SOCKS

• Place socks in a clean, chemical free open air environment to dry for at least 48 hours.
• Should you need socks sooner - place them in a bucket with 2 gallons of water with 1/5 teaspoon of Seachem Prime or similar chlorine remover for 30 minutes.

           Or

• Filter socks can be dried in a clothes dryer but USE LOW HEAT ONLY! Obviously no fabric softeners or anything else.

TIPS

• Thoroughly rinse new filter socks with clean fresh water, wring them out and repeat this process before using them in your filter. You can also follow the above method and clean new socks in the washing machine.

New filter socks may have a non-toxic residue from the manufacturing process which can cause bubbles throughout an aquarium and make protein skimmers overflow for several days. After a few days the skimmer will go return to normal. This phenomenon can be avoided by rinsing filter socks well before use.

• If you have any residual fishy smell in your washing machine after you remove the socks you can always run a quick wash with bleach in an empty washer.  If there is any odor in your aquarium, you can use activated carbon in our drawstring mesh bags to eliminate the smell, along with any discoloration in your tank.

FAQ

Q. How do you know when to change filter socks?

A. No two aquariums are alike; each is stocked with different types of livestock of various sizes and quantities. Add these diversities to the various amounts and types of food each aquarist uses and you see there are many things that impact how often filter socks need to be changed. With that said, a simple means for determining the optimal time to change filter socks is to watch as the water level in the socks rises. As filter socks trap debris, the pores get clogged and the water level inside the sock rises. The increased water level indicates the increase in waste collected. The more often you change filter socks, the better the water quality. This is especially important for aquariums such as living reefs which require low levels of nitrates and other nutrients.  

Q. When you remove dirty filter socks from the sump, do you just let them dry out until it's time to wash them?

A. Since we always use bleach I have not noticed any difference between cleaned dry socks or wet socks. With my service company we have an open bucket to keep dirty socks - some are dry others are wet. Personally, I collect my socks in a fish safe bucket for weeks sometimes months. They are all dry except the most recently changed filter socks which are wet. You can also put dirty socks from an aquarium directly into a trash bag and tie them off. When the collection of trash bags is large enough to suit your needs, open and dump the dirty socks into the washing machine. This method works well and traps any unpleasant odor. Dry or wet, when you follow our cleaning directions on this page you will have success.

Q. When should you throw away your filter socks?

A. Quality filter socks should last through many cleanings in a washing machine. Eventually you will see holes, stitching will come undone or a glue joint will separate; at this point you will know it is time to replace your filter socks.  

NOTE:  Some filter sock manufacturers purposely continue the stitching off one corner of their filter socks. Please do not cut these threads; your filter socks will last much longer.

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Mixing Your Own Saltwater

If you have your own RO filter system, you must premix your saltwater before adding it to the aquarium. Begin by filling a 5-gallon bucket or larger non-toxic container (preferably with wheels) with RO water. Next, add salt to the water. Follow the instructions on the salt mix (Such as Instant Ocean), keeping in mind that a general rule is to add approximately one cup of salt to every two gallons of aquarium water.

After mixing salt with the water in the bucket, use a hydrometer to test specific gravity. There are two different types of hydrometers that aquarists use. One is a plastic box with a floating swing-arm and the other looks similar to a floating glass thermometer. Either style will work.  You could also use a refractometer to accomplish this goal with greater accuracy, for a few dollars more.

Be Sure to Check the Following:

• ·         The specific gravity should read between 1.023 and 1.025. If the specific gravity is too low, add more salt. If you add too much salt and the hydrometer reads over the target, remove some of the water and add fresh RO water.

• ·         The RO filter system should have removed chlorine and/or chloramines, therefore a water conditioner is not necessary. Test pH and make sure it is between 8.2 and 8.4. If the pH is below 8.2, add a buffering agent to adjust it.

Pour water slowly onto one of the live rocks close to the bottom of the aquarium. You can also place a dinner plate in the aquarium temporarily on which to pour the water. Fill the aquarium until the water level is just above the bottom of the aquarium's frame and water begins to flow over the overflow.

At this point you can either continue to add water to the aquarium to fill the Berlin sump in the cabinet or you can pour water directly into the sump until filled to the designated max fill line.

For larger aquariums, carrying water back and forth may take too much time and energy. You may want to purchase a new thirty-five to forty-five gallon trashcan or other non-toxic, plastic container (with wheels). Whichever size container you choose it should only be used for your aquarium. Once the salt is mixed in the container, roll it over to the aquarium. The premixed saltwater can either be bucketed into the aquarium or a water pump with flexible tubing attached can be used to pump the water into the aquarium.

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Aquarium Tips: Setting Up a Refugium

Article By Laurren Schmoyer of AquaticExperts.com

What is a Refugium?

When setting up your aquarium, it is highly recommended to create a refugium if you are using a Berlin sump for filtration.  A refugium is an additional chamber that is built into a saltwater, brackish, or freshwater fish tank that shares the same water supply. It is a separate sump, connected to the main display tank.  The name comes from the fact that it provides refuge for beneficial micro-organisms such as anaerobic denitrifying bacteria and photosynthesizers.

A built-in refugium is simply a compartment in a Berlin sump which houses mud or sand and algae. The walls of the compartment are designed to allow water to pass through, and then return the water to the display aquarium. These walls also slow water flow to assist with macro algae feeding.

How Large should the Refugium be?

The size of the refugium needed depends on the bio-load of the display aquarium. A larger refugium is necessary for a heavily stocked aquarium, while a smaller refugium may be used for a lightly stocked aquarium.  A good rule is 1:10 of the main tank volume.

What type of Lighting does the Refugium need?

Place a light over the refugium to help grow macro algae. The bulb should be 5,000 to 6,500 Kelvin for optimum plant growth. Choose a light fixture that produces at least 4 watts per gallon of water in the refugium (for those less than 16 inches deep).

Two T5 strip lights mounted above refugium

Set the refugium light to turn on when the aquarium light turns off.  This will keep the total system pH more stable, due to the constant uptake of carbon dioxide.  

What do I put in there?

Refugiums are easy to set up.  Just add mud and/or an oolithic (sugar size) aragonite sand to a depth of up to six inches and macro algae. Macro algae can be added to refugium 24 hours after aquarium is setup or you can wait until the aquarium has "cycled".  Chaetomorpha, Ulva (Sea Lettuce), Halimeda (red seaweed) and Gracilaria (red seaweed) are macro algae that do well in refugiums.

Berlin sump with refugium compartment with oolithic sand

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When mixing salt water at home, my preference is to use R.O. (Reverse Osmosis) water. This water, often sold in five-gallon jugs at local fish and pet stores, is forced through a series of filters that remove most impurities including phosphates and nitrates. This helps significantly to control algae!

Saying goodbye to Granddad. Lungfish have always been one of my favorites. He had a good long life though.

"Today we’re saddened to share that the Shedd family has bid farewell to one of our best-loved members. Australian lungfish Granddad, who made Shedd his home since 1933, was humanely euthanized Sunday due to a rapid decline in quality of life associated with old age."

"In his long life at Shedd, Granddad offered fond memories and a shared connection with the living world to generations of visitors. We ask you to keep the Shedd family in your thoughts during this difficult time, especially the caregivers most deeply affected by his passing." -CNN

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This pretty creature is a Pink Peacock Cichlid!  Peacock Cichlids are endemic to Lake Malawi. This rift lake is estimated to have over 800 species of cichlids.

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