The Best and Easiest Way to Clean Aquarium Filter Socks Plus Other Methods

Filter socks play an important role in a thriving reef tank, but require regular cleaning to maintain filtration efficiency. Cleaning filter socks can be a pain. In this article, I share my favorite way to clean my reef tank’s filter socks.

So what is the best and easiest way to clean aquarium filter socks? The best and easiest way is to simply turn your filter inside out, place them in your home clothes washer, wash on the delicate hot water cycle, and hang to air dry. This method is simple, doesn’t use chemicals, and gets the filter socks nice and clean.

Reef sump filter socks are mesh or felt like socks that intake water from the downflow pipe filtering aquarium water as it enters the sump. Reef socks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials and their primary job is to act as stage 1 filtering capable of catching large waste debris from the aquarium. Regular cleaning of reef sump filter socks is an important step in maintaining a healthy and thriving reef aquarium.

Cleaning your reef sump filter socks can be done in a number of different ways. Depending on the frequency you change your reef filter socks and the total number of filter socks you have, different methods will work better for you.

Best/Easiest Method – Washing Aquarium Filter Socks in Your Home Washing Machine

I find this to be my go-to method and the cleaning of my filter socks is quick and easy. I have used this method for over 10 years without serious issues. Every once in a while the wash cycle will tear or break a filter sock. This doesn’t happen often and usually the sock is near the end of its life cycle when it does happen.

I currently do weekly water changes on my reef tanks and change out my filter socks during weekly maintenance and water changes. If I get busy and don’t have time to do a water change that week I still make it a priority to change my socks at least weekly.

My current process is to remove the dirty socks from my sumps and place them into a bucket. I then carry the bucket full of filter socks to my clothes washer. Most of the aquarium waste is caught on the inside of the sock, so I turn each sock inside out and place them into the washing machine. I set the water level according to the number of socks I have in the washer. For the water temperature setting, I set it to the hot setting. I find that the socks get very clean without a heavy wash cycle. It will differ depending on your brand of washer, but I set my washer to the delicate extra light wash setting.

I keep extra clean reef socks on hand and place clean socks in my sumps. I’ve used filter socks from Aquatic Experts on Amazon and find them to be very good quality filter socks. Usually by the time I’m finished with the rest of my weekly maintenance the wash cycle has been completed. When the socks are finished washing, the spin cycle is usually enough for the filter socks to be mostly dry. I use pant hangers to hang my filter socks in the washroom to be ready for next time. Here is a simplified bulleted checklist for you to reference:

• Remove dirty filter socks from reef sump
• Place filter socks in a bucket
• Turn each filter sock inside out
• Place filter socks in the washer
• Set washer settings to hot and delicate wash
• Place new filter socks in reef sump
• Remove filter socks from the washer
• Air dry filter socks

One of the pitfalls of this method is that it can produce a smell in the washroom. I don’t find this smell to be particularly bad and the smells are more like a day on the beach next to the ocean. It hasn’t been an issue as my washroom has a door that can be closed to contain any smell to that room while the filter socks wash. Like I said it isn’t very strong and isn’t a particularly bad smell. My spouse is pretty sensitive to smells and has yet to complain. Also, I have not experienced any issues with future loads of clothes and anything transferring to them.

Some people use bleach in the wash with their filter socks. I have not found the need to do this. My socks always come out nice and clean without the bleach. I have also heard of other aquarists using all kinds of detergents and other soaps. I would highly recommend against the use of any chemicals when washing your reef sump filter socks. The last thing you want to have happened is a foreign chemical getting into your display tank and causing a catastrophic die-off in your aquarium. In fact, if you’ve washed anything suspect in your washer recently you may want to run the wash cycle empty and ensure that any previous residue is washed out.

Some people also will put their filter socks in the dryer. The spin cycle on my washer does a good enough job getting most of the water out of the socks. Putting your filter socks in the dryer will probably reduce the life cycle of the filter sock as it is exposed to continuous heat and tumbling.

Method 2 – Replace Your Aquarium Filter Socks With New Ones and Throw Away the Dirty Filter Socks

Probably the easiest and quickest way to take care of dirty filter socks is to simply remove the dirty filter sock, throw it away, and replace it with a new one. Though this is quick and easy it is not the most economical option. Most filter socks are reusable and we might as well keep these out of the landfill as long as possible. With that said it’s important to inspect your filter socks as you are cleaning and maintaining them. Over time filter socks and rip, tear, and develop holes. If you find a tear or hole in your filter sock it’s best to just throw away the filter sock as debris will freely flow through the hole into the rest of the sump.

Method 3 – Use a Pressure Washer or Garden Hose to Clean Your Aquarium Filter Socks

If you have access to a pressure washer this can be another way to clean your filter socks. First, find a good spot to clean socks where they won’t get dirty from the outdoor environment. A driveway or sidewalk works well, hanging them up is also a good option. Turn your filter socks inside out, line them up, and fire up your pressure washer. Spray your filter socks with enough pressure to clean them off, if you have a high-pressure power washer try not to go to hard so you don’t tear the filter sock. Spray until they are clean, flip the socks over, and repeat. I like to flip the socks inside out again and spray both sides again to get them really clean.

It actually doesn’t take too much pressure to clean reef sump filter socks. If you don’t have a pressure washer using the jet setting on a hose sprayer attachment or the old thumb pressure at the end of the hose will work, it will just take a little longer to get the filter socks clean.

Method 4 – Wash Your Aquarium Filter Socks in a Sink or Bucket

For this method, the use of bleach can help break down debris and get the filter socks clean. First, place your filter socks in a bucket or in a plugged sink. Add some bleach and let the socks soak for a few hours or overnight. Rinse the socks inside and out under the faucet until the debris has been removed and the socks look dry. You can wring the water out of the socks and allow them to air dry.

Tips

• Keep extra socks on hand and have a system for replacement as needed. I keep the lowest on hand specific number in mind and when I hit that number of total filter socks I order a set number of new ones and put them into the rotation. My favorite filter socks from Aquatic Experts
• Create a standard spot to store your clean filter socks. Have a system in place that rotates your socks into service. I hang my socks in a coat closet and pull from the left first when replacing each week.
• Limit the use of chemicals when possible. The only thing I would recommend if you feel it is necessary is bleach.
• Let your spouse know how you are using the clothes washer and ensure them that nothing will transfer to clothes in future washes.
• Make sure to turn your filter socks inside out when cleaning them to get them completely clean.
• If you have a lot of filter socks or change them out more than once a week, you can place your dirty filter socks in a holding bucket with water or saltwater and wash them all at once when you are ready.
• Continuously improve filter sock maintenance. Think about each step you are currently doing when changing and cleaning your filter socks. Then think about the various ways you can improve the process or even remove steps from the process. Test an improvement every time, and with small improvements over time, the process can become very efficient over time.

When to Know it’s Time to Clean Your Aquarium Filter Socks

Knowing when to wash your filter socks will vary by your individual aquarium and the bioload they have. Generally, when discoloration starts to happen you should start planning to clean and replace the filter socks. Generally, the darker the sock the dirtier it is.

How to Clean Your Reef Aquarium Sump, a Practical Schedule

What Happens if I Leave a Dirty Filter Sock for Too Long in My Reef Sump?

You don’t want to wait too long to replace and clean your filter socks. Filter socks work by capturing large debris from your aquarium as it drains from the tank through the socks. As the socks are intended to capture large debris the longer the debris sits in the socks the more it dissolves and eventually making its way through the reef sump and back into the water increasing undesirable waste levels (phosphates and nitrates) in your aquarium. When these levels rise the health of your fish and corals can be at risk. With a very dirty filter sock, the sock could also start to clog which limits flow, reduces turnover, and overall efficiency of your reef sump. Let an unchecked clogged sock go too long and it also has the potential to cause an overflow in your sump.

Conclusion

Regardless of the method you choose, regular maintenance of your reef sump filter socks is imperative to the health and beauty of your reef aquarium. Change your socks frequently and work towards making the process as painless as possible.

Related Questions

How are filter socks measured? Filter socks are measured by their length in inches and the diameter of the ring in inches at the sock’s opening. Filter socks also include their micron size which is the size of the holes in the filter socks. The larger the micron number the larger the holes in the filter sock.

What is the most common filter sock micron size? The most common micron size for filter socks is 200 microns. 200 microns do a great job filtering while not clogging quickly.

Are there any alternatives to using filter socks? Many reefers go without filter socks or use cut to size filter pads in lieu of filter socks. Another option is to use a filter roller that looks kind of like a roll of toilet paper that automatically changes its filter material as it gets dirty.