Sterilizing tank

[FMA4ME]

Ammonia (NH3) is a cleaner. It's used to clean because it doesn't reduce colors on many objects as bleach will. Chlorine Bleach (NaClO) is better if you are trying to eliminate bacteria (disinfect.) Ammonia's kill rate on molds is good, but on bacteria is quite poor. The great thing about bleach is that it can easily be removed with doses of dechlorinator.


Also, never mix the two together as the combination can release toxic vapors.

Great info here thank you. What about my driftwood/ petrified wood? If old disease can hide in my filter, Im guessing it can be in my driftwood too. How often do you guys disinfect?

 

[H]-[H]

Since we are on the subject, is it possible to disinfect/sterilize the whole tank with fish in it?
A bunch of feeders were showing signs of diseases and there's no way to remove all the big fish as I've nowhere to put them..

 

[RD.]

FMA .......

http://askville.amazon.com/steriliz...ewer.do?requestId=5242357&tag=viglink20381-20

Make sure to read both comments in the link above, especially the second comment. Due to the odor I would personally avoid bleach if possible and go with the salt & let dry method. If odor isn't a problem you could also do both, start with bleach & finish off with a heavy salt solution running for 24-48 hrs.

Good luck.

 

[FMA4ME]

FMA .......

http://askville.amazon.com/steriliz...ewer.do?requestId=5242357&tag=viglink20381-20

Make sure to read both comments in the link above, especially the second comment. Due to the odor I would personally avoid bleach if possible and go with the salt & let dry method. If odor isn't a problem you could also do both, start with bleach & finish off with a heavy salt solution running for 24-48 hrs.

Good luck.

Hey I really appreciate that. May I ask when YOU disinfect? I'm still a bit worried about the driftwood, I'm going to rehouse the fish and driftwood in another tank, then disinfect the tank and filter for new fish. Thanks again

 

[RD.]

The driftwood should be part of the disinfection process (salt/bleach) as the pathogens that you are wanting to eradicate could be living within the wood. Everything except the fish should remain in the tank during the disinfection process.

Personally I don't ever disinfect my set ups, unless I run across a very nasty bug that takes over the tank. A healthy established tank tends to take care of itself, and keeps most pathogens in check. I'm also a firm believer in adding probiotics as a form of competitive exclusion. You can read more about that in the following thread. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?536531-The-Use-of-Probiotics-in-Aquaculture

 

[FMA4ME]

Thanks, I'll definitely disinfect the driftwood also. I don't recall any bug ever taking my tank over. Took some hard hits though