I had a betta die from dropsy in one of my tanks. I've washed the tank and soaked it with a solution of potassium permanganate. And I'll be dipping the plants in a mild permanganate solution as well. Should I do anything else to sanitize both tank and plants? I was planning to use the tank as a quarantine tank in the near future and I'm worried about the bacteria potentially surviving and infecting other fish. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks!
How to sanitize tank after dropsy
- Thread starter elbereth
- Start date
If you are still unsure do part bleach and water. Personally don't have any experience with potassium permanganate.
Thank you all for your input. I thought all dropsy was caused by bacteria. What's the other cause?
I guess I need not stress too much about sterilization then if it's naturally present in all aquaria.
I guess I need not stress too much about sterilization then if it's naturally present in all aquaria.
Dropsy is kind of a generic term used for any number of similar symptomatic bacterial diseases, because there are many, and unless the fish is taken to a vet for analysis and diagnosis is just guess work.
The KMnO4, should have sanitized the tank pretty well, you could swish some bleach around if unsure (some bacteria live in an inert state protected by a hard cell wall during this state) then thoroughly dry and rinse, but don't use the bleach on plants, even a short exposure to concentrated bleach could kill them.
After dousing the plants in KMnO4 be sure to rinse all traces of it off them. They sometimes stain a pink color.
The KMnO4, should have sanitized the tank pretty well, you could swish some bleach around if unsure (some bacteria live in an inert state protected by a hard cell wall during this state) then thoroughly dry and rinse, but don't use the bleach on plants, even a short exposure to concentrated bleach could kill them.
After dousing the plants in KMnO4 be sure to rinse all traces of it off them. They sometimes stain a pink color.