EHEIM SUBSTRAT PRO

[DazzTheSpaz]

Don't bleach ,I've been using the same 3 batches or substrate pro for 15years I have 3 batches I got with filters every year I throw a new batch in the sump for a few weeks then swap with the stuff in the Eheim, soak the used batch in 15% hydrogen peroxide 85% water for 24hrs then soak in water+seachem safe or prime for 24hrs strain and rinse it, sun dry it and your good to go it's like new

 

[Rocksor]

Don't bleach ,I've been using the same 3 batches or substrate pro for 15years I have 3 batches I got with filters every year I throw a new batch in the sump for a few weeks then swap with the stuff in the Eheim, soak the used batch in 15% hydrogen peroxide 85% water for 24hrs then soak in water+seachem safe or prime for 24hrs strain and rinse it, sun dry it and your good to go it's like new

So why do you use seachem prime/safe after soaking in peroxide and water?

 

[DazzTheSpaz]

Because after soaking it yes the peroxide neutralizes itself but there is still chorines etc in the water the prime etc neutralizes it and it's not drying out in the middle of your substrait and you can use it strait away no prep.

 

[Rocksor]

Because after soaking it yes the peroxide neutralizes itself but there is still chorines etc in the water the prime etc neutralizes it and it's not drying out in the middle of your substrait and you can use it strait away no prep.

Soaking in water with a water conditioner beforehand seems like an unnecessary step when air drying would removed the chlorine or adding into a filter during a water change would easily dilute and remove the chlorine from the water/peroxide solution. I've done that lots of times after disinfecting with peroxide, 24 hours later and rinsing, plop into the tank.

 

[DazzTheSpaz]

Soaking in water with a water conditioner beforehand seems like an unnecessary step when sun drying would remove the chlorine or adding into a filter during a water change would easily dilute and remove the chlorine from the water/peroxide solution. I've done that lots of times after disinfecting with peroxide, 24 hours later and rinsing, plop into the tank.

Yes sun does break down chorine molecules in a couple of hours in areas where the uv rays can reach but in a media with pores all the way through the entire area it doesn't reach the inner part of the media it only penetrates through to about 40% of the surface, if you have ever re-activated purigen youll notice this is why seachem recomend soaking it in prime as a final step ,bleach and chlorine both degrade in sun but not 100%, peroxide is no big deal you can add that to your tank water to reduce algae but unless your rinsing it then poping it in beforehand like you said in wel or tank water fair enough but tap water your back to square one aren't you? That's why you always clean canister media in tank water, any sort of amount of tap water or media added rinsed in tap water added to a canister of sump is proven to kill off up to 60% of good bacteria, if your stocks are low it's not bad but highly stocked tank like mine can be pretty harmful, I just like to be cautious and seachem safe is dirt cheap your using .5 of a gram. Just the way I've done it for long time, probably set in my own ways but I know its going to be 100% safe. It's good getting other people's thoughts on it though, cheers

 

[DazzTheSpaz]

Also i should add Ausie tap water here in Melbourne is crap and loaded with chlorine amoung other things, sometimes on certain days you can smell it drinking it, it's that bad.