Quaranteen Tank Questions?

[Ken]

What is the best way to disenfect a quaranteen tank that has been used to treat ick, fin rot, etc?

It's a ten-gallon with about an inch of gravel

Is their a good way to do it without bleach?

Could it be done with hot water, and if so, how hot would it need to be?

Thanks in advance
-Ken

 

[pufferdude]

Clean everthing in hot water and vinegar. Just soak all of the decorations(if any) in it. Wipe out the insides of the tank with it as well.

 

[heresmike]

Is vinegar the best idea? I did a google search and they say not to use vinegar on the glass. Didn't give a reason. They say to use hot water and iodized salt.

I've read elsewhere that the best thing to use is bleach. It rinses off easily, and since you use dechlorinator, any remaining chlorine will be eliminated by it

 

[lucky62]

You could rinse it with hot water [ as hot as you can stand ] .Then when the tank is empty , no water in it , you can wipe it with either rubbing alcohol or clear amonia , not scented or soapy . then rinse it again well with clean water and let it dry. I myself don't bother any more . I keep my quarentine tank running always , I also try to keep something living in it plants , malayian snails , shrimp , anything to keep the nitrifying bacteria alive . If , if a fish becomes ill I usually treat first by changing water if that doesn't work I go for meds that are safest for plants and bacteria , and hopefulywill cure my pet . If something stronger is needed I isolate the fish to a hospital tank . If your talking about small fish here 2 10 gal tanks should be good . I believe there is a differnce between a quarentine tank [ new healthy arrivals min 2.5 weeks to 1 month ] and a hopital tank[fish that become ill for whatever reason ].This is my opinion others may disagree .You don't necessarily need the gravel in either Ken . sorry for rambling

 

[pufferdude]

Is vinegar the best idea? I did a google search and they say not to use vinegar on the glass. Didn't give a reason. They say to use hot water and iodized salt.

I've read elsewhere that the best thing to use is bleach. It rinses off easily, and since you use dechlorinator, any remaining chlorine will be eliminated by it

I have never had a promblem with vinegar. The promblem with bleach is that if you dont rince it off good it will harm you fish. Also bleach has been known to ruin plastics.

 

[heresmike]

Hmmm.. bleach comes in a plastic jug where I come from

 

[pufferdude]

Hmmm.. bleach comes in a plastic jug where I come from

Yeah but it isnt in the plastic for long enough to do damage. I have heard of bleach ruining canister filters.

 

[Idolz]

I wouldn't put anything other than the fish in the med tank. If you're using medication, the gravel obsorbs it and some plants might not do well in it.
Keeping a med tank ready is always a good idea as lucky 62 said, it saves the hassel of emptying it later to fill it up again.