Reef Sanctuary - View Single Post

DaveK · 05-18-2008, 08:53 PM

This is perhaps a bit late to be posting to this thread, but here I go.

While the method posted by leebca will certainly work, I would consider this over kill for most applications.

Over the years, I have used those various methods to clean and/or disinfect an aquarium. Generally, it's not necessary to take such drastic action all the time.

I prefer vinegar when I want to remove calcium build up. It also helps if you want to remove coraline algae. Usually the least expensive are the bottles of the store brand white vinegar. Look on the lower shelves, it usually comes in bottles as large as 1 gal.

A mild soap is best when you want to remove a buildup of slime. If you have filter cartridges that just will not come clean, a mild soap can sometimes clean them up very well. However, because it's somewhat difficult to find just the right soap, and because you really need to rinse the things you used it on, it's usually best to use it only as a last resort.

BTW, soap by itself usually doesn't do much in the way of disinfection. It works because it breaks down the slime and allows the bacteria and so on to be washed away. If you ever tried cleaning filter cartridges with only soap, and soak them in the soapy water a couple of days, you will have some very foul smelling water.

Bleach is just about the best aquarium disinfectant there is. Used in the right strength, it will kill just about anything that could be left alive in the tank. The big advantage is that it breaks down easily and a few water changes will remove it. You don't even need to dechlorinate the water with anything. The water changes will take care of that.

Bleach has a lot of other uses around the aquarium.

My initial choice would be to use bleach alone. Unless you have those other specific problems I mentioned, there is usually no need for vinegar or soap treatments.

One last thought. Never ever mix bleach with other cleaners. If you mix the wrong stuff with bleach. You may form chlorine gas, and this can cause you a lot of problems, including death.

05-18-2008, 08:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 649 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How To Disinfect a QT This is perhaps a bit late to be posting to this thread, but here I go. While the method posted by leebca will certainly work, I would consider this over kill for most applications. Over the years, I have used those various methods to clean and/or disinfect an aquarium. Generally, it's not necessary to take such drastic action all the time. I prefer vinegar when I want to remove calcium build up. It also helps if you want to remove coraline algae. Usually the least expensive are the bottles of the store brand white vinegar. Look on the lower shelves, it usually comes in bottles as large as 1 gal. A mild soap is best when you want to remove a buildup of slime. If you have filter cartridges that just will not come clean, a mild soap can sometimes clean them up very well. However, because it's somewhat difficult to find just the right soap, and because you really need to rinse the things you used it on, it's usually best to use it only as a last resort. BTW, soap by itself usually doesn't do much in the way of disinfection. It works because it breaks down the slime and allows the bacteria and so on to be washed away. If you ever tried cleaning filter cartridges with only soap, and soak them in the soapy water a couple of days, you will have some very foul smelling water. Bleach is just about the best aquarium disinfectant there is. Used in the right strength, it will kill just about anything that could be left alive in the tank. The big advantage is that it breaks down easily and a few water changes will remove it. You don't even need to dechlorinate the water with anything. The water changes will take care of that. Bleach has a lot of other uses around the aquarium. My initial choice would be to use bleach alone. Unless you have those other specific problems I mentioned, there is usually no need for vinegar or soap treatments. One last thought. Never ever mix bleach with other cleaners. If you mix the wrong stuff with bleach. You may form chlorine gas, and this can cause you a lot of problems, including death.