How to clean aquarium decorations

I just got a new tank and it came with some large plastic resin decorations. They are coated in algae as this tank was very neglected and was the home to 6 koi (the koi are now very happy swimming in my pond). I would like to use the decorations as they are very nice but I have no idea what the best way to clean them would be. Can I soak them in a bleach solution if I rinse them really well afterward? How would you clean them? Thanks!

 

Yup, you can soak them in a bleach solution. I think the mix is 20:1. You can also use a new toothbrush to gently scrub it.

Afterwards, rinse the decoration very, very thoroughly. then soak them in an overdose of Prime for at least a few minutes, but as long as you want. If they are large decorations, I personally would rinse each one until you can no longer smell the bleach, Then soak them for several hours to make sure none remain in the crevices, give it another rinse, then soak in a bucket of water with an overdose of Prime. A capful for a 5-gallon bucket is a 10X overdose. That should guarantee there is no more bleach on them.

 

Here you go, pay attention to posts number 4 and 5.

 

Here you go, pay attention to posts number 4 and 5.

I won't bump that thread since it's a month old now, but alcohol killing more bacteria than bleach? He is wrong there.

Also, 70% alcohol is a better sterilizer than 90% or 99%. Alcohol requires contact time to kill bacteria. He even mentions letting it sit for 15 minutes. But the thing is 90% and 99% are purer alcohol, and evaporate faster. 70% is better because it has more contact time. It doesn't evaporate as fast. As long as it's at least 60%, it will kill bacteria. Most of your hand cleaners are 63%.

EDIT: And as I read the thread, I see someone mentions this.

 

The koi that were in the tank were fine with no visual signs of stress or sickness. They looked great in my pond this morning and I will try to take some photos when I get the right light. I don't think I need to wory about sterilization of the tank, but it needs a good cleaning. It has lots of algae and the gravel is filthy. The nitrates must have been through the roof. But if I just rince the gravel with water I will keep the BB. If I use bleach or alcohol I will kill them. The ornaments are definitely getting the bleach treatment, but would you bleach or use alcohol on the gravel?

 

I won't bump that thread since it's a month old now, but alcohol killing more bacteria than bleach? He is wrong there.

Also, 70% alcohol is a better sterilizer than 90% or 99%. Alcohol requires contact time to kill bacteria. He even mentions letting it sit for 15 minutes. But the thing is 90% and 99% are purer alcohol, and evaporate faster. 70% is better because it has more contact time. It doesn't evaporate as fast. As long as it's at least 60%, it will kill bacteria. Most of your hand cleaners are 63%.

EDIT: And as I read the thread, I see someone mentions this.

Thanks for pointing that out, I linked the wrong thread, proper disinfection has been discussed on the forum in detail and bleach is not always an effective disinfectant let alone a sterilizer. Depending on the bleach used, different concentrations are needed for bleach to be effective against bacteria, viruses, parasites. Bleach is not effective in killing fish TB, and this is when a bath of bleach, alcohol, and bleach is suggested, of course never mixing the two together, separate baths with rinsing in between. Some have suggested the use of hospital grade Lysol, but due to its cost, it's rarely used, I've personally used the bleach/alcohol method and have found it effective. When using alcohol, I've found it easier to use in the evening or at cooler temperatures as it's change to vapor density decreases.

 

I won't bump that thread since it's a month old now, but alcohol killing more bacteria than bleach? He is wrong there.

Also, 70% alcohol is a better sterilizer than 90% or 99%. Alcohol requires contact time to kill bacteria. He even mentions letting it sit for 15 minutes. But the thing is 90% and 99% are purer alcohol, and evaporate faster. 70% is better because it has more contact time. It doesn't evaporate as fast. As long as it's at least 60%, it will kill bacteria. Most of your hand cleaners are 63%.

EDIT: And as I read the thread, I see someone mentions this.

No, he is not wrong. Some bacteria cannot be killed with bleach, or alcohol under 70%. Mycobacterium marinum just to name one.

 

Thanks for pointing that out, I linked the wrong thread, proper disinfection has been discussed on the forum in detail and bleach is not always an effective disinfectant let alone a sterilizer. Depending on the bleach used, different concentrations are needed for bleach to be effective against bacteria, viruses, parasites. Bleach is not effective in killing fish TB, and this is when a bath of bleach, alcohol, and bleach is suggested, of course never mixing the two together, separate baths with rinsing in between. Some have suggested the use of hospital grade Lysol, but due to its cost, it's rarely used, I've personally used the bleach/alcohol method and have found it effective. When using alcohol, I've found it easier to use in the evening or at cooler temperatures as it's change to vapor density decreases.

I wasn't saying one is superior to the other and should be used alone. I was just pointing out that bleach kills more than alcohol alone, and the person mentioned preferring 99% alcohol, when this is actually less effective at sterilization than 70%.

No, he is not wrong. Some bacteria cannot be killed with bleach, or alcohol under 70%. Mycobacterium marinum just to name one.

I didn't say there was nothing that bleach could kill that alcohol couldn't, I said there being MORE things that alcohol kills than bleach is wrong.

Bleach kills most things. It's also a powerful oxidizer (it will rust metal in just a few minutes) whereas alcohol is gentler (compared to bleach.) I believe the list of things that are resistant to alcohol is far longer than the things resistant to bleach.

 

99% alcohol, when this is actually less effective at sterilization than 70%.

How exactly does that work? Please share any links you have to support this.

I believe the list of things that are resistant to alcohol is far longer than the things resistant to bleach.

I disagree. Even surgical instruments are disinfected with a solution containing Isopropyl Alcohol and Ammonium Chloride. Meritz Plus, as an example. In my research while reading material safety data sheets for several disinfectants, Ammonium Chloride seems to be one of the main ingredients. It's a no no to mix bleach with ammonia. I would be very interested in seeing the comparison list you mentioned though.

 

How exactly does that work? Please share any links you have to support this.

I described why in my original post.

Alcohol requires contact time to kill germs. Higher concentrations of alcohol will evaporate quicker, not giving enough contact time. 70% evaporates slower, giving enough time. This is counting wiping and rinsing, not submerging.

ADDITIONALLY, 90% and higher are more likely to damage things. 90% can take paint right off some things. So if you are sterilizing a decoration, it might eat the finish and paint off it.

As long as it's 60% alcohol or higher, it will kill germs. Hand cleaners are usually 63%.

I disagree. Even surgical instruments are disinfected with a solution containing Isopropyl Alcohol and Ammonium Chloride. Meritz Plus, as an example. In my research while reading material safety data sheets for several disinfectants, Ammonium Chloride seems to be one of the main ingredients. It's a no no to mix bleach with ammonia. I would be very interested in seeing the comparison list you mentioned though.

I never said alcohol doesn't kill things. I said the idea that alcohol kills a far greater number than bleach isn't true.

Surgical instruments can also be sterilized in an autoclave using nothing but heat and pressure. Doesn't mean it's the only accepted method.

The original comment came off as if bleach only killed a few things, and alcohol did a lot more. Whether they meant it that way or not I don't know.

 

The CDC says that 60 to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol is often used to disinfect small surfaces (perfect for filter parts), thermometers, medication vials, and sometimes the external surfaces of equipment. While it's not practical for them to always do this because those same items would need to be submersed to be more effective, for us as aquarists it will work just fine since we can actually take the time and effort to submerse filter parts and other hardware. We also do not disinfect as often as they do in a hospital or lab setting so worrying about damaging hardware from the alcohol is unnecessary. At most you clean your quarantine tank every 30 days or when inhabitants have been removed, as compared to several times a day in a hospital, dental office, care facility or what have you.

The CDC also acknowledges that bleach products found in the grocery store are not registred by the EPA for use as surface disinfectants, and they advise users use them as a disinfectant at their own risk They do state right before that that sodium hypochlorite is an effective broad spectrum germicidal, but the EPA apparently do not support it's use.

https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html/eic_in_hcf_03.pdf

I'm still waiting on a comparison list from a reputable source. I love learning things and am wide open to the idea of changing what I've otherwise read to be true, so hit me up with something more solid.


To the OP, I found an affordable jug of Lysol Professional Quaternary Disinfectant (hospital grade) which should be more than enough to disinfect your tank and tank equipment.

 

The CDC says that 60 to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol is often used to disinfect small surfaces (perfect for filter parts), thermometers, medication vials, and sometimes the external surfaces of equipment. While it's not practical for them to always do this because those same items would need to be submersed to be more effective, for us as aquarists it will work just fine since we can actually take the time and effort to submerse filter parts and other hardware. We also do not disinfect as often as they do in a hospital or lab setting so worrying about damaging hardware from the alcohol is unnecessary. At most you clean your quarantine tank every 30 days or when inhabitants have been removed, as compared to several times a day in a hospital, dental office, care facility or what have you.

It only takes one time with some items, and 90% alcohol. It will strip the paint off many things.

The CDC also acknowledges that bleach products found in the grocery store are not registred by the EPA for use as surface disinfectants, and they advise users use them as a disinfectant at their own risk They do state right before that that sodium hypochlorite is an effective broad spectrum germicidal, but the EPA apparently do not support it's use.

6% Sodium-Hypochlorite is the bleach that disinfects. It has to be at least 6%. Many store brands, or scented bleach or "splashless" bleach are actually below this, and cannot be used for disinfecting. The EPA doesn't support its use because its damaging to the environment. Alcohol evaporates off. Bleach can get into an ecosystem and kill tons of stuff before its diluted enough not to be a danger anymore. If mixed with certain chemicals, will produce toxic gas. If mixed with Ammonia, will create chlorine gas, or mustard gas.

Try a test. Take a glass. Pour bleach in. Even diluted bleach. Drop a nail in it. Watch it start rusting within minutes. Bleach is a nasty, damaging oxidizer. Alcohol is safer to use.

It has nothing to do with its effectiveness, it's because spilling it can damage the environment. Acid can eat germs right off a surface and sterilize it, but you won't find the EPA approving its use.

I'm still waiting on a comparison list from a reputable source. I love learning things and am wide open to the idea of changing what I've otherwise read to be true, so hit me up with something more solid.

I don't think you are going to find a list of every thing that bleach kills and alcohol does not.

Again, I am not saying alcohol doesn't work. I am saying that bleach is not an inferior cleaner to alcohol. They both have things they can do the other cannot, and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

I have no aquarium hardware items where the coating and/or paint has been stripped off from being previously soaked in a 90% Isopropyl Alcohol bath. In fact, I'm not sure any of my aquarium hardware came from the store with paint on it. I have no nails in my aquarium or in any of the hardware.

Having been a mom for 19 years (disinfecting after flu bugs, chicken pox scares and anything else you could possibly name), doing my own laundry and house cleaning for more than 43 years I do indeed know the difference between the types of beach at the grocery store, and am fully aware of what you can and cannot mix regarding cleaning products. The bleach Papajin and I use for disinfecting (Chlorox) is not the same bleach we use in our high efficiency washer (Chlorox 2 gel pretreater and color booster).

Normal maintenance for the hardware of my established tanks I use a water and bleach solution for disinfection. My quarantine tank and its hardware are a much different story. Knowing what I now know about fish tuberculosis and it being one of the only things that can be passed from fish to human, I use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol for soaking, not wiping.

 

I have no aquarium hardware items where the coating and/or paint has been stripped off from being previously soaked in a 90% Isopropyl Alcohol bath. In fact, I'm not sure any of my aquarium hardware came from the store with paint on it. I have no nails in my aquarium or in any of the hardware.

Doesn't change the fact that it can happen. I have seen alcohol take the color out of plastic, before. I am not saying this is a reason not to use it.

Having been a mom for 19 years (disinfecting after flu bugs, chicken pox scares and anything else you could possibly name), doing my own laundry and house cleaning for more than 43 years I do indeed know the difference between the types of beach at the grocery store, and am fully aware of what you can and cannot mix regarding cleaning products. The bleach Papajin and I use for disinfecting (Chlorox) is not the same bleach we use in our high efficiency washer (Chlorox 2 gel pretreater and color booster).

Normal maintenance for the hardware of my established tanks I use a water and bleach solution for disinfection. My quarantine tank and its hardware are a much different story. Knowing what I now know about fish tuberculosis and it being one of the only things that can be passed from fish to human, I use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol for soaking, not wiping.

I use bleach for cleaning my aquarium equipment, too. Gravel vacuum? Bleach. Buckets (not used for filling after water changes, but emptying)? Bleach. Rubber gloves? Bleach. All thoroughly rinsed afterwards, and soaked in a heavy Prime solution.

As I don't have a QT tank (I would like one, but my tank stocking is done except for some RCS I will be getting in this week) I don't have to break down equipment and sterilize often. I have only used alcohol a few times to clean in-tank equipment. And one time it was to help remove brown algae from artificial plans after breaking a tank down and rebuilding. I mostly use it very rarely (and very rarely) cleaning the glass and sometimes the lid when something is stained on it, then very carefully wiping it off, or letting it evaporate.