Cleaning a quarantine tank so it's safe for the next fish

[pointpleco]

Hi,

I recently had a tetra with either columnaris or cotton wool disease. It doesn't seem to be healing, so for his sake i might do what i never wanted to do and hate doing.

After this, what is the safest and best way to clean the tank to get rid of any disease or bacteria. So then it's ready to put new healthy fish in it that are going in for quarantine before putting them in my main tanks. Would some warm water and a soak be enough.

Thanks

[bekateen]

Hi pointpleco,

Myself, I drain the tank entirely, wash everything in a weak bleach solution, rinse, then let all pieces, filters, décor, including any substrate, dry. Once dry, any residual beach turns to a little salt. Then I restart the tank.

Good luck,
Eric

[stuby]

Hi pointpleco,

Myself, I drain the tank entirely, wash everything in a weak bleach solution, rinse, then let all pieces, filters, décor, including any substrate, dry. Once dry, any residual beach turns to a little salt. Then I restart the tank.

Good luck,
Eric

I do the same..... you can jump start the tank with gunck from the filter of a trusted tank after you have cleaned it too.

HTH
Chuck

[bekateen]

you can jump start the tank with gunck from the filter of a trusted tank after you have cleaned it too.

Yup, that's what I do too - filter material from operating tank, some sand and wood all taken from operating tank to "start" the new tank.

Experts say most of the beneficial bacteria in a tank are on surfaces (substrate and objects) in the tank not in the water, so you can start a tank with fresh water and old stuff, and have it ready for light bioloads in a day or so (if you're careful not to overfeed the new fish in QT).

Cheers, Eric

[pointpleco]

Hi pointpleco,

Myself, I drain the tank entirely, wash everything in a weak bleach solution, rinse, then let all pieces, filters, décor, including any substrate, dry. Once dry, any residual beach turns to a little salt. Then I restart the tank.

Good luck,
Eric

Hi Eric

Great info there, but what is a weak solution of bleach. How much would i put per litre or per 10 litres.

Thanks again

[pointpleco]

Yes, i also agree with that way to start a tank quickly. I have done it like that, and sometimes i also just do a water change from other tanks and use that water. Wood, gravel and any other things in the tank.

Thanks Macrae

[bekateen]

what is a weak solution of bleach. How much would i put per litre or per 10 litres.

1/4 cup - 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water.

Cheers, Eric

[pointpleco]

what is a weak solution of bleach. How much would i put per litre or per 10 litres.

1/4 cup - 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water.

Cheers, Eric

Thanks Eric, i will do that this afternoon.
Have a good christmas if we don't talk again until then.
Appreciate all the help on my multiple posts.

Macrae

[Bas Pels]

With columnaris one is, unfortunately, forced to this kind of measures

[racoll]

Regular aquarium dechlorinator will also remove any bleach traces, for extra peace of mind.

[pointpleco]

With columnaris one is, unfortunately, forced to this kind of measures

Yes, i'm not 100% sure that is it, but from the info i received on here i think it is.
So better safe than sorry, lucky it's only one neon tetra. But would be better if it was nothing.
Of coarse.

Thanks

[pointpleco]

Regular aquarium dechlorinator will also remove any bleach traces, for extra peace of mind.

Hi Racoll,

Thanks for that info i will do that for sure, always safer than sorry.

[TwoTankAmin]

Chlorine, from bleach- is, by volume, my most used chemical relating to my tanks.

Not all bleach is equal. In keeping with modern product development strategies, most bleaches sold in markets etc. these days are not plain unmitigated bleach. it is now scented and/or contains other ingredients, things we do not want in tanks.

I cannot comment on how things work down under, but i can advise that you make sure you are buying basic chlorine bleach. In the states, this is normally the store brand or a no-name brand and is the cheapest.

[bekateen]

Not all bleach is equal. In keeping with modern product development strategies, most bleaches sold in markets etc. these days are not plain unmitigated bleach. it is now scented and/or contains other ingredients, things we do not want in tanks.

I cannot comment on how things work down under, but i can advise that you make sure you are buying basic chlorine bleach. In the states, this is normally the store brand or a no-name brand and is the cheapest.

Absolutely yes. Do not get scented or enhanced or "non-drip" formulas.

[pointpleco]

Chlorine, from bleach- is, by volume, my most used chemical relating to my tanks.

Not all bleach is equal. In keeping with modern product development strategies, most bleaches sold in markets etc. these days are not plain unmitigated bleach. it is now scented and/or contains other ingredients, things we do not want in tanks.

I cannot comment on how things work down under, but i can advise that you make sure you are buying basic chlorine bleach. In the states, this is normally the store brand or a no-name brand and is the cheapest.

Hi,

Yes thanks for that, i see what you mean. I looked into some bleach brands today. And pretty much every one my local supermarket had was scented with lemon etc.
Think i will just have to keep looking, If i find one i will check the additives and maybe ask you guys again if its safe or not.

Thanks again, Macrae