Bleaching my pythons, tank, filter

[DaveB]

I want to sterilize my equipment, just to cover all the bases, after I complete treatment for a parasite in one of my tanks. The problem is that I have 100 feet of python tubing that is not inexpensive to replace.

What I was thinking of doing: set up the FX5 with adapters to use 50 feet of python hose on the intake and output. Empty, the pump should be more than powerful enough to push through that, right? So I can fill the tank with a bleach & water solution and run the filter for a while, bleaching the inside of the hoses, the inside of the filter, and the inside of the tank.

My questions:

1) how much bleach do I want to use? It's a 120g tank, but obviously I can run that at 50% full and just wipe the rest of it down by hand.

2) How long do I want to run it to make sure things are sterile

3) How long would I then run new water through it (and/or water with a bunch of dechlorinator) to be able to trust that the bleach is neutralized and rinsed?

Is there a better approach to use? I have a ton of potassium permanganate too. I've never used bleach because I always fear that I won't rinse it well enough, but PP is easy, because you can just neutralize it immediately with H2O2 (which never fails to amuse me).

 

[Pharaoh]

I would just bleach everything. Just remember, bleach is chlorine. It is tap water already. I've always heard 1:10 bleach to water ratio. I usually just pour bleach until I have enough. Bleach isn't anything that Prime won't take care of. I just recently did my FX5.

 

[DaveB]

I would just bleach everything.

Well yeah. That's the goal. The question is mostly how to keep it moving and cover the entire 100 feet of Python. I'm guessing that if the sink can carry stuff up 15 feet of elevation through 75 feet of python, I won't exactly be taxing the motor of the FX5 if I put 50 feet of it on either end and just cycle it through the tank. I just wonder how long I should run it.

So just rinse for a while and use a bunch of prime and that'll be enough? Good. I'm definitely over-paranoid about that stuff. Bleach is one of those scents that sticks in my nose long past when it's actually gone...

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I think hot water could sterile your equipments

 

[KaiserSousay]

I think hot water could sterile your equipments

Possible, but not a way I would do it.
Water would need to be at a temperature that could damage equipment and burn your hands.
When done, you still would not be assured of killing off any threat to your system.
Bleach would be my choice.

 

[Pharaoh]

For the python, I just filled a bucket with bleach water and coiled the hose in the bucket and hooked up a small pump to circulate the solution through the hose.

The FX5 would work, but I would worry about the hose size and restricting the filter.

 

[Addikted2Cichlids]

For the python, I just filled a bucket with bleach water and coiled the hose in the bucket and hooked up a small pump to circulate the solution through the hose.

The FX5 would work, but I would worry about the hose size and restricting the filter.

Good idea, Simple, effective and you can just set it and forget it. Thanks for the new cleaning method..

 

[DaveB]

I think hot water could sterile your equipments

Well, I did boil all the filter media.

For the python, I just filled a bucket with bleach water and coiled the hose in the bucket and hooked up a small pump to circulate the solution through the hose.

Hm, perhaps that crappy weak quietOne pump I have isn't totally useless. I am sure it could handle pumping through 25 feet of python at a time. I'll just coil it right around the bucket with one end attached to the pump and the other end returning to the bucket. That ought to work.

Now, rinsing... just send lots of clean water through it then use lots of prime the first few tank fills afterward? That's enough?

 

[oscarfishguy]

Great question Dave B, and great answer Pharaoh. I now have a simple and effective method.

Thanks!

 

[Pharaoh]

Well, I did boil all the filter media.



Hm, perhaps that crappy weak quietOne pump I have isn't totally useless. I am sure it could handle pumping through 25 feet of python at a time. I'll just coil it right around the bucket with one end attached to the pump and the other end returning to the bucket. That ought to work.

Now, rinsing... just send lots of clean water through it then use lots of prime the first few tank fills afterward? That's enough?

Yep. I just run a little fresh water through it right before I start filling the tank. If you're like me, I like to add a little extra Prime for good measure, you will be good.