Used Media Question

[nomad]

I bought a used small canister (eheim ecco 2232 ) on Amazon that I'm planing to add it to my existing 125g. The main reason is that the small gph will allow my 9w UV to run efficient.
What I want to know is if there are any health risks for the fish associated with this ? (the used media came clean and dry).
Thanks

 

[Lupin]

Disinfect the used media and use your own I think. Less risk of pathogen transmission.

 

[nomad]

thanks Lupin ....can I get away with just boiling it ? (media is Substrat Pro Biological Filter Media)

...or should I replace it all together ?

 

[knifegill]

I've always just dunked my inherited media in vinegar and let it soak in warm tap water for a few hours before use. Never had a known pathogen come in that way.



EDIT --I'd say that's worth cleaning and using again.

 

[Lupin]

Boiling is fine though you're sacrificing the beneficial bacteria. Better that than infecting the tank anyway.

 

[nomad]

Boiling is fine though you're sacrificing the beneficial bacteria. Better that than infecting the tank anyway.

great ...that will be fine ....there is plenty of media/beneficial bacteria in the existing 2 canister already running.

I've always just dunked my inherited media in vinegar and let it soak in warm tap water for a few hours before use. Never had a known pathogen come in that way.
EDIT --I'd say that's worth cleaning and using again.

thanks knifegill

 

[purplecandle]

I've always just dunked my inherited media in vinegar and let it soak in warm tap water for a few hours before use. Never had a known pathogen come in that way.



EDIT --I'd say that's worth cleaning and using again.

Why vinegar? Bacteria and even some types of nematode can live in vinegar. I would think bleach would be more effective

Any reason for choosing vinegar over bleach or boiling?

 

[knifegill]

I use vinegar because I know a trace of it won't kill my fish. Bleach scares the carp out of me. If I ever put bleach on an aquarium implement, I'd have to stand at the faucet compulsively scrubbing and rinsing for weeks before even considering using the equipment again.

 

[fishmamma]

I use vinegar because I know a trace of it won't kill my fish. Bleach scares the carp (CRAP) out of me. If I ever put bleach on an aquarium implement, I'd have to stand at the faucet compulsively scrubbing and rinsing for weeks before even considering using the equipment again.

+1

 

[purplecandle]

LOL, your not supposed to use a whole bunch of bleach! A small spoonful in a whole cup would suffice, or 1-2 spoonfuls for a whole sink of water.