If you're talking about removing grime, maybe bleach solution. If you're talking about sanitizing it... HOTTTTTT WATER. =)
Water that burns you even if a tiny drop touches.
Water that burns you even if a tiny drop touches.
Proper sanitization/cleaning methods
- Thread starter TRD_Power
- Start date
Is there a particular reason you are looking to sanitize everything? Unless the tank or stuff in it has been exposed to something toxic or has housed sick fish or something there's really no reason to sanitize. Just rinse everything off, dechlorinate, done.
Two important quations.... why are you cleaning it?... what are you cleaning?...
If you pulled old aquarium decor out of storage a warm water rinse should be plenty... if you collected rocks out of a river the cleanliness of the river needs to be considered and the solution may be anything from a warm water rinse to boiling... If plastic plants were in a tank that was known to have an infectious disease then using a mild bleach solution would be wise...
I personally would not use a bleach solution on a porous item such as a rock or wood, but wouldn't hesitate on a smooth hard plastic item...
1 part bleach / 5 parts water is a pretty strong bleach solution. I would be more likely to use 1/10, although this is not something I would maticulously measure. I'd simply approximate.
Bleach is essentially concentrated chlorine, which is why there is a suggestion to "dechlor" after using a bleach solution. I feel rinsing with dechlor after a warm/hot water rinse (no bleach) would be a waste of dechlor.
Also note that using bleach may remove color or whiten some things, such as driftwood...
If you pulled old aquarium decor out of storage a warm water rinse should be plenty... if you collected rocks out of a river the cleanliness of the river needs to be considered and the solution may be anything from a warm water rinse to boiling... If plastic plants were in a tank that was known to have an infectious disease then using a mild bleach solution would be wise...
I personally would not use a bleach solution on a porous item such as a rock or wood, but wouldn't hesitate on a smooth hard plastic item...
1 part bleach / 5 parts water is a pretty strong bleach solution. I would be more likely to use 1/10, although this is not something I would maticulously measure. I'd simply approximate.
Bleach is essentially concentrated chlorine, which is why there is a suggestion to "dechlor" after using a bleach solution. I feel rinsing with dechlor after a warm/hot water rinse (no bleach) would be a waste of dechlor.
Also note that using bleach may remove color or whiten some things, such as driftwood...
nc_nutcase;4066471; said:
Much appreciated! I was just using it on the actual tank its self because I bought it used off Craigslist and hadn't been cleaned in a couple years, the tank also smelled AWFUL. I did 1/2 cup bleach for every gallon of water (what the LFS owner suggested) and it was pretty weak, but that's how I wanted it. The tank came out just fine and now I just have some little spots on the glass that don't really want to come off, any suggestions?
Thanks
