Bleaching My Tank

I plan to completely steralise my tank and start again.

Is a small 5 gallon, and I can restart the bacteria colony from my other healthy tank.

I also plan on purchasing a master tester kit so I can monitor it's stats closely during the cycle re-start.

Any advice on how to steralise? I was thinking of using bleach but I wouldn't know how to make sure all the bleach is cleaned from the tank before I add the aquarium water again.

Also, would I need to purchase a whole new filter and heater or are there ways I can clean those too. What about my live plant?

Thanks for reading this

 

Never use bleach in a aquarium or anything else to do with fish. Just use vinegar or salt water.

 

Many hobbyists have used diluted bleach to sterilize tanks with success but I am hesitant with it because you have to thoroughly, rinse the tank out. Even residual amounts will harm fish. I personally like to use diluted white vinegar. You still must make sure you rinse the tank out several times until it is gone.

You don't need to get a new filter and heater, if they both work, so I am confused by what you mean by this? Are they dirty? If so, vinegar should help clean them. Again make sure to rinse them.

You could put your live plant in your other tank (as long as you don't suspect it of contamination) or in a bowl of water (temporarily) while the new tank is setup.

 

I only say that because bleach is so hard to get rid of the smell and residue from anything that you use it on.

 

I only say that because bleach is so hard to get rid of the smell and residue from anything that you use it on.

Absolutely agree with that. I have a bleached shirt because at one point I tried bleach dipping some plants to rid them of any pest snails lol. You have a valid point/opinion, using diluted white vinegar is safer.

 

You could also use hydrogen peroxide. It breaks down into after 12-24 hours into safe compounds.

 

Is there a reason you're trying to sterilize everything? It's not usually necessary.

You can run a diluted bleach solution through the filter, and soak the heater in a diluted bleach solution as well. 5-10% bleach solution is good (don't use full strength), and you can run/soak in dechlorinated water to remove the bleach afterwards.

You can also use white vinegar to clean everything.

 

Thank you all so much for your quick responses! I only suggested bleach because I didn't know any other way to steralise.

The reason I'm trying to start a fresh is because I got the tank second hand a short while ago from a lady who didn't know how to look after fish at all.

I cleaned and scrubbed every algae, sand and chalk stain I could off the tank and thought that would be enough.

Apparently not.

A week or so after housing some of my guppy fry in the tank, they began acting stressed. I got the water measured, parameters were perfect, and I was treating the fry tank no differently to my main.

The fry began getting worse and dropping off one by one, someone on this forum suggested it may have been velvet, so I treated for velvet for a couple of weeks but still no improvement. It must be some chemical, disease or otherwise in the tank from the previous owner, so I'm starting a fresh with the latest (and most likely last) drop from my guppy.

I think I'll search around for any hydrogen peroxide and it's cleaning properties, but otherwise, white vinegar should be the safest option.

I'll also clean the filter and heater.

As for my live plant, It's probably got bad stuff on it too, so I'll get a new one!

Thank you all soooooooooooo much for your help!

 

Just as a point of curiosity, is there any reason why the water conditioners wouldn't neutralize the minute traces of bleach that could be left over after multiple rinses? Chlorine bleach is diluted chlorine, after all. I'm also a beginner, so I don't actually know anything, I'm just going off of my chemistry knowledge! It seems to me that you should just be able to overdose with water conditioner and call it a day. Maybe there's something that I'm missing!

 

Just as a point of curiosity, is there any reason why the water conditioners wouldn't neutralize the minute traces of bleach that could be left over after multiple rinses? Chlorine bleach is diluted chlorine, after all. I'm also a beginner, so I don't actually know anything, I'm just going off of my chemistry knowledge! It seems to me that you should just be able to overdose with water conditioner and call it a day. Maybe there's something that I'm missing!

This is pushing the extent of my knowledge in chemistry as well. From my understanding, the trace amounts of chlorine in tap water is chemically similar to chlorine-based bleaches, but not identical in composition. In theory, the water conditioner will help neutralize any trace amounts of chlorine, yes. But it's still better to get as much out of the tank as possible, because some bleaches also contain other chemicals.

"Clorox bleach is derived from sodium chloride – common table salt. Clorox produces household bleach by bubbling chlorine into a solution of water and sodium hydroxide. During this process, the chlorine is converted to a sodium hypochlorite solution."

Aquarium water conditioners, as mentioned above, will help with any residual amounts of chlorine. But I'll be honest, I'm not sure if they're designed or intended to remove sodium hypochlorite. Another compound found in bleach is sodium hydroxide.

Also, not to mention, there are bleach products that are not chlorine based.

 

Very helpful chemistry, thank you

It's always helpful to get some additional knowledge before my GCSE, even if bleach isn't on the silibus!

 

This is pushing the extent of my knowledge in chemistry as well. From my understanding, the trace amounts of chlorine in tap water is chemically similar to chlorine-based bleaches, but not identical in composition. In theory, the water conditioner will help neutralize any trace amounts of chlorine, yes. But it's still better to get as much out of the tank as possible, because some bleaches also contain other chemicals.

"Clorox bleach is derived from sodium chloride – common table salt. Clorox produces household bleach by bubbling chlorine into a solution of water and sodium hydroxide. During this process, the chlorine is converted to a sodium hypochlorite solution."

Aquarium water conditioners, as mentioned above, will help with any residual amounts of chlorine. But I'll be honest, I'm not sure if they're designed or intended to remove sodium hypochlorite.

This is when I usually call the number on the back of the bottle! (ring!) According to the CDC website, sodium hypochlorite is one of the forms of chlorine used to chlorinate water, so I would assume that it's safe to say that standard dechlorinators would work.

Ah! And I was just told by Tetra that their dechlorinator would work on trace sodium hypochlorite, they advised to use a quadruple dose.

 

This is when I usually call the number on the back of the bottle! (ring!) According to the CDC website, sodium hypochlorite is one of the forms of chlorine used to chlorinate water, so I would assume that it's safe to say that standard dechlorinators would work.

Ah! And I was just told by Tetra that their dechlorinator would work on trace sodium hypochlorite, they advised to use a quadruple dose.

Good find. Do you know if they mention it can neutralize sodium hydroxide, the other chemical found in bleach?

 

Very helpful chemistry, thank you

It's always helpful to get some additional knowledge before my GCSE, even if bleach isn't on the silibus!

FYI, I called Tetra and they said that AquaSafe would work to neutralize trace amount of bleach and advised the use of a quadruple dose. Clean with abandon lol.

 

FYI, I called Tetra and they said that AquaSafe would work to neutralize trace amount of bleach and advised the use of a quadruple dose. Clean with abandon lol.

Hmm, good to know. That's where my knowledge is very limited. So it's a good peace of mind measure, to add a water conditioner, in case there were minimal/trace amounts left behind from rinsing.

 

Good find. Do you know if they mention it can neutralize sodium hydroxide, the other chemical found in bleach?

I make soap, so I'm actually familiar with lye. In the case of bleach, the sodium hydroxide is used to react with the chlorine to produce a salt, which is the final product of sodium hypochlorite. According to a quick WikI search, there is a trace remaining in full strength bleach of only 0.01-0.05%. After dilution and several rinses, I can't imagine there'd be any to speak of left.

 

I make soap, so I'm actually familiar with lye. In the case of bleach, the sodium hydroxide is used to react with the chlorine to produce a salt, which is the final product of sodium hypochlorite. According to a quick WikI search, there is a trace remaining in full strength bleach of only 0.01-0.05%. After dilution and several rinses, I can't imagine there'd be any to speak of left.

Yeah, especially if you abide by the 1 parts bleach 9 parts water (1:9) rule, keeping it diluted. I'm guessing using activated carbon will also help absorb any trace amounts. I've heard/read carbon is good for absorbing chlorines and chloramine.

 

I used bleach in water to clean my 2.5 gallon tank, siphon bucket, filter, etc. after my first Betta died a couple months ago because he had some unknown sicknesses. I rinsed it all SOOOOOOO well with water and I sprayed it all like crazy with Seachem Prime until it couldn't be smelled. It was a pain, but it got to where all the bleach was gone. I've had my new fish for a month and a half with no ill effects in that tank with that equipment!

 

I've disinfected a lot of tanks over the years with a weak bleach solution. I have 14 tanks currently and clean all my nets, siphons etc almost daily. Rinse it thoroughly several times and never had a problem. Anyone uncomfortable with that should probably use vinegar and hot water. That isn't a disinfectant but it is a good cleaning method.

 

Thank you all so much!!!

I couldn't get my hands on a pure bleach but I do have a form of bleach for removing mould. I'll post the chemical content in a second.




If this means anything to you, good for tank cleaning or bad, could you please let me know?

 

I'm not familiar with the last two ingredients, and I'm not sure if scented bleach is a problem.

Are you in the US?

 

I'm not familiar with the last two ingredients, and I'm not sure if scented bleach is a problem.

Are you in the US?

Nope, uk

It didn't smell massively.

I've soaked the tank and equipment in it now... rinsed it out about 5 times.

Should I do anything else?? More water conditioner than normal???? Did I do something terribly wrong?

 

Can you smell the bleach anymore on the stuff? I would soak it in dechlorinated water, then you should be good to go.

 

It contains surfactants so that is not one I would use.

 

OP has already used it though

 

OP has already used it though

Thanks, I missed an episode in this thread. It should rinse out well enough.

 

Can you smell the bleach anymore on the stuff? I would soak it in dechlorinated water, then you should be good to go.

Ok, so just add a large dose of water conditioner to the water and soak?

It contains surfactants so that is not one I would use.

What do surfactants do?

 

Ok, so just add a large dose of water conditioner to the water and soak?



What do surfactants do?

Basically soap.

 

Yes, add dechlorinator and soak.

 

Basically soap.

Ah... sorry!!! Have I ruined my tank then?

Yes, add dechlorinator and soak.

Ok cool!

I'm so sorry guys but I just want to make sure my tank is in the best condition for my little fry. What happened to the last batch was horrible to see and I'm pretty sure the newborn batch of fry is the last batch I will get. I want to raise them right this time!!

 

Ah... sorry!!! Have I ruined my tank then?



Ok cool!

I'm so sorry guys but I just want to make sure my tank is in the best condition for my little fry. What happened to the last batch was horrible to see and I'm pretty sure the newborn batch of fry is the last batch I will get. I want to raise them right this time!!

Nothing to be sorry about. Just be careful when using anything inside the tank. You know that of course. There are folks on this forum terrified of bleach but I literally use it almost daily on aquarium gear.

 

Thanks so much for all your valuable advice and time

 

A vinegar rinse will help get rid of any surfactant residue, then rinse rinse rinse with tap water and you should be fine. Use extra dechlorinator for peace of mind.

 

I have read of folks on this forum using Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean tanks. No chance I am doing that ever, but it makes a point. If it's water soluble you can probably take care of it with enough rinsing.

 

I'll back up a peg and then comment on the suffectant in the tank.

Disinfecting an aquarium you can use Bleach or Ammonia (without suffectants) a solid rinsing and a big dose and soak or two with dechlorinator for a while, drain and voila. White vinegar works, but smells atrocious and you really have to use a lot in my opinion to call it clean, it's not a disinfectant but it does kill a lot of other stuff lol. I use vinegar when I tear down and restart or pull a tank from storage and just do a wipe down type cleaning. Dawn dish soap.... I'll probably end up hung out to dry on this forum but I did that for a few years (many years ago) and never had issues. I would also never recommend it, want to talk about rinsing paranoias hahaha! But it can be done and it's not tank ending by any means.... Filter ending for sure, it'd take three days of hot water for me to feel like it was out of the filter.

Moving on. Now you doused bleach with suffectants into the tank. First shake the bejeebers out of your bleach bottle and see if there's bubbles sticking around. Obviously there will be some but are they like soap bubbles or like the ones you see when you shake a bottle of water? Soap bubbles, rinse A LOT, hot running water and when you think it's good towel dry and do it again for a few more minutes. no soap bubbles same then same process but after the towel dry let it completely air dry a day or so to be sure you have no residue and if there's no residue you should be fine. When I say rinse A LOT I seriously mean for an annoyingly long period of time. Bathtubs are great for this, just pour that hot running water and let it drain down the drain with some occasional sloshing, tank turning and wiping the corners and sides on your part. If you get all the soap out your fine and so are your fish. it's just a scary thought sometimes since fish are so sensitive to soaps.

And honestly I'd buy new filter media, filter should be fine rinse soak etc but sponges or ceramics on any media, I'd just replace it rather than risk it.

 

I'll back up a peg and then comment on the suffectant in the tank.

Disinfecting an aquarium you can use Bleach or Ammonia (without suffectants) a solid rinsing and a big dose and soak or two with dechlorinator for a while, drain and voila. White vinegar works, but smells atrocious and you really have to use a lot in my opinion to call it clean, it's not a disinfectant but it does kill a lot of other stuff lol. I use vinegar when I tear down and restart or pull a tank from storage and just do a wipe down type cleaning. Dawn dish soap.... I'll probably end up hung out to dry on this forum but I did that for a few years (many years ago) and never had issues. I would also never recommend it, want to talk about rinsing paranoias hahaha! But it can be done and it's not tank ending by any means.... Filter ending for sure, it'd take three days of hot water for me to feel like it was out of the filter.

Moving on. Now you doused bleach with suffectants into the tank. First shake the bejeebers out of your bleach bottle and see if there's bubbles sticking around. Obviously there will be some but are they like soap bubbles or like the ones you see when you shake a bottle of water? Soap bubbles, rinse A LOT, hot running water and when you think it's good towel dry and do it again for a few more minutes. no soap bubbles same then same process but after the towel dry let it completely air dry a day or so to be sure you have no residue and if there's no residue you should be fine. When I say rinse A LOT I seriously mean for an annoyingly long period of time. Bathtubs are great for this, just pour that hot running water and let it drain down the drain with some occasional sloshing, tank turning and wiping the corners and sides on your part. If you get all the soap out your fine and so are your fish. it's just a scary thought sometimes since fish are so sensitive to soaps.

And honestly I'd buy new filter media, filter should be fine rinse soak etc but sponges or ceramics on any media, I'd just replace it rather than risk it.

Ouch. Ok!

I did some washing yesterday but will wash even more tonight just to make sure. And I will try to find a replacement sponge online somewhere... and a new airstone.

I can't shake the bottle until tonight but I will do.

Thanks for all your advice!!

 

Never mind.

 

Ouch. Ok!

I did some washing yesterday but will wash even more tonight just to make sure. And I will try to find a replacement sponge online somewhere... and a new airstone.

I can't shake the bottle until tonight but I will do.

Thanks for all your advice!!

It's going to be fine. That is FAR less soap than a squirt of Dawn. But the last chemical is 27 letters long. If you got any on your hands all your kids will surely be born naked.

 

I'll still soak in tank conditioner just to be sure.

You really are a super helpful bunch!! Thank you for everything!!!

 

It can be helpful to let things fully dry between your rinsing cycles at well.