Recycling S/H medium

[Ray]

I use the following process:

1. Let the medium dry out completely.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze (or fan blast) to remove the dried organic matter.
3. Soak for 24 hours in water containing 1 tablepoon Physan per gallon.
4. Soak in plain water to leach the excess Physan, and it's ready to go.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Ray

I use the following process:

1. Let the medium dry out completely.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze (or fan blast) to remove the dried organic matter.
3. Soak for 24 hours in water containing 1 tablepoon Physan per gallon.
4. Soak in plain water to leach the excess Physan, and it's ready to go.

Ray,

What happens if we don't let the s/h medium dry out first before soaking it in Physan? I also haven't been soaking in plain water after the Physan 20 soak since I am usually storing it so I let it dry, and then I soak, soak, soak before reusing it when I am ready.

[Ray]

I usually accumulate a lot before recycling it, so it ends up dry no matter what.

If you don't let it dry, it's just harder to removed the old organic matter. Once it is soaking, if you stir it around, that crud will often float for easy removal.