RussG

I had some hydro sponges in tank in my shed, there in good shape but is there a way to clean them up, they do smell like they been in a shed? Can ya boil them?

aquarist48

I'd like to know the answer to this myself, assuming they are sponges meant for aquarium use. Aquarium sponges are not cheap. Let's see what some others have to say!

RussG

Do ya think dropping them in boiling water would work? I did rinse them out a few times and let them dry out but still has that smell.

aquarist48

I think it would probably be a good idea to boil them just for a minute or two. Just to make sure there are no remaining cooties in there I don't know that it will help them to smell any better though but at least you'll know there is nothing alive in them. I wouldn't use bleach or any other chemicals on a sponge because it may never come out.

RussG

LOL!
Yeah I gonna give that a try, smell or no smell.

pepetj

I believe sponges doing their work should smell. A lot of bacteria lives there. I do have a question: what are you looking for by checking the way a sponge smells?

I rinse, gently, my sponges (including Hydro) in tank water once or twice a year to aid removing excessive clogging. Other than that, they should have some brownish slime on them. Maybe not good-looking but hard to beat as bio-filtration (maybe a fluidized bed filter stand a chance).

Pepe
Santo Domingo

RussG

I had the sponges in a open tank in my shed and they where in there for 3 to 4 years, kinda smelled like it absorbed fumes, I had gas, kero, etc.. stored in the shed but never sprayed anything in there. But anyway after boiling them for a minute or so they seem fine and don't smell like they were in shed for years.

pepetj

Ok I got the idea right this time (sorry for the confusion). I figure if they were never in direct contact with harmful/toxic substances it's safe to use them now.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

btate617

I would wash them good in very hot water. I would think boiling them may break them down a bit. Boil one and find out.....