Disinfect tank

[caterpillar5]

What is the best way to disinfect a tank?
i heard of the bleach method, can u do anything to test if it is 100% safe to use?

 

[tstenback]

You can use a mild bleach solution or vinegar or baking soda to clean a tank and then just take it outside and rinse with a hose for several minutes. Have done this for years with no problem. Good Luck

 

[Nina7777]

Bleach is fine to use, as long as you use 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Make sure you rinse it really well both in hot water then in cold, as well.

I've never tried vinegar or baking soda so I can vouch on how well they work.

 

[caterpillar5]

i read somewhere in this forum on one of the posts that it was 1:19 for bleach and water ?

 

[caterpillar5]

i also heard from somewhere after the bleach and rinsing i should fill up the tank and put triple the ammount of de-chlorinator and let it run a while? is this necessary? i think some1 said it helps get rid of any remaining bleach or something? i duno

 

[tstenback]

If the tank is rinsed out well then it is not required. Chemicals are expensive so i would not use more than required.

 

[Shadow on the sun]

Vinegar, kosher salt, and HOT water. Rinse very, very, very well.

 

[mrV]

Some other way is to buy disinfectant (about 70% ethanol etc) and pour it into spray-bottle and start spraying your tank. Let it dry and do it again couple times. After that, rinse it well.

 

[blakwidoe]

if........ i have to disinfect tank I usually boil all contents except plastics <those I use 1:19 bleach solution rinse well and air out for a week or better> I have only had to do this once ... as for the tank.... I use vinegar and hot water .

 

[csr mel]

how about filling the tank up with water and leaving everything inside it (less the fish of course) and dumping some bleach into it. let the filter keep running it should circulte good and kill everything.

this is what i plan if i cant get rid of this damn fungus thats invading my tank.

 

[caterpillar5]

Im a bit confused about this bleaching. If the ration is 1:19 for bleach to water. Then if i have 20 litre tank does that mean 1 litre bleach and 19 litres water? 1 litre of bleach seems quite a lot? Or do i just fill it half way and do half a litre and just scrub the whole tank?

 

[Nina7777]

how about filling the tank up with water and leaving everything inside it (less the fish of course) and dumping some bleach into it. let the filter keep running it should circulte good and kill everything.

this is what i plan if i cant get rid of this damn fungus thats invading my tank.

doing this would be too risky. Bleach could get into tiny crevices in the filter that you may not be able to rinse out completely.

As far as liters go, I would do a half of liter of bleach and the rest water. 1 liter sounds like too much to me too!