How To Sterilize + reseed any tank

[Humblefish]

The following can be used to sterilize a QT or even a DT:

1. Dose 100ppm chlorine as per this guide: https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/dwgwp/DW/chlorinedosageemergencydisinfection.pdf OR Use this Chlorine Dilution Calculator provided by @Dierks: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/...th/water-quality/chlorine-dilution-calculator
2. Stir the sand and use a powerhead to blow inside any large rock to ensure the chlorinated water reaches every part of your tank.
3. Circulate well for 48 hours, and then use sodium thiosulfate to neutralize the chlorine in the water. Most pool places sell a product called Chlor Out which contains sodium thiosulfate and is safe to use. You can use this website to determine how much sodium thiosulfate to dose: https://www.edspumps.com/water-treatment/documents/Antichlorination.pdf
4. After you are all finished, your alkalinity might need to be raised. If so, use baking soda as per this calculator: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html
5. Dose nitrifying bacteria (products tested here and here) for at least 1 week in order to reseed.

P.S. I've also attached a spreadsheet you can use to determine all of the above.

 

[steveb]

I’m not sure where you are but in the few stores I have checked bleach is non existent.

I need to nuke a 70g and 90g system full of algae, vermetid snails and one probably has whatever killed off my foxface

this got me to thinking about the types of chlorine at pool stores.

tablets/granules are out as they are usually trichlor (chlorine+stabilizer). But then I found liquid chlorine. They sell it in both stabilized and unstabilized form.

I need to hunt down an MSN’s for it.

this is what I’m thinking of

Is this a viable solution in these uncertain times?

 

[Humblefish]

Is this a viable solution in these uncertain times?

Can you get me a product number?

I'd like to look up the SDS to see what else it contains other than Sodium Hypochlorite: https://leslies.msdss.com/

 

[steveb]

I’ll go by tomorrow during lunch. That’s assuming they are an essential business and are allowed to be open.

 

[Humblefish]

I’ll go by tomorrow during lunch. That’s assuming they are an essential business and are allowed to be open.

I looked online and can't find a SDS for it. But I know one time when I went to Leslie's to inquire about their pool salt (long story) they were able to hand me a SDS at the store.

 

[Imback]

I own a pool company here north Texas (Prestige Pool and Patio). I am currently using liquid chlorine to sterilize my qt tanks between transfer. Let me know if I can be of any assistance in information or anything. If you guys do get some liquid, remember to keep it out of the sun/heat. It’s will literally kill the strength of it. That’s the down side, shelf life isn’t that good.

 

[Imback]

Interesting, I briefly tossed around the idea of using pool salt but I just didn’t know enough about the reef world. It’s pennies compared to reef salt.

 

[steveb]

It would be interesting to see if pool salt is a viable solution for fish only or even reef. I think the trick is figuring how to blend in everything else. But I like the idea.

 

[Humblefish]

Interesting, I briefly tossed around the idea of using pool salt but I just didn’t know enough about the reef world. It’s pennies compared to reef salt.

It would be interesting to see if pool salt is a viable solution for fish only or even reef. I think the trick is figuring how to blend in everything else. But I like the idea.

I had some pool salt chemically analyzed for just this reason. But according to the chemist (who is also a reefer) there were too many elements that would have to be added even for fish (time consuming / not cost effective). I have a DIY salt recipe somewhere.

The other issue is "aquarium salt" is supposed to be quality controlled, whereas pool salt may contain contaminants that are not necessary harmful to humans but to fish/corals.

 

[steveb]

Fritz makes a super salt concentrate that you add to sodium chloride. Supposedly makes 400g of complete reef salt. I think they mention morton food grade NaCl 80lb bag somewhere. No idea what it costs vs. just buying buckets of IO or whatever your preferred brand is.

 

[Imback]

I can tell you this, pool salt doesnt mix near as easy as reef salt.

 

[Humblefish]

Fritz makes a super salt concentrate that you add to sodium chloride. Supposedly makes 400g of complete reef salt. I think they mention morton food grade NaCl 80lb bag somewhere. No idea what it costs vs. just buying buckets of IO or whatever your preferred brand is.

That would be an interesting option. "Food grade" salt should be safer than what we use because it should have stricter quality control measures. But of course, the "super salt concentrate" that Fritz sells then becomes the X factor.

 

[mattzang]

is there any way to know if you were thorough enough in bleaching and letting it dry before dropping a fish in?

i bleached some rocks and let them sit outside for weeks. washed them off with a hose numerous times. they should be fine, i guess i'm just nervous as i've never done it before

 

[Humblefish]

is there any way to know if you were thorough enough in bleaching and letting it dry before dropping a fish in?

i bleached some rocks and let them sit outside for weeks. washed them off with a hose numerous times. they should be fine, i guess i'm just nervous as i've never done it before

After soaking in bleach water, I like to put my rocks in some RODI, add a dechlorinator, and circulate for 24-48 hours. You shouldn’t be able to smell any bleach coming from the rocks after that.

 

[mattzang]

so rock and saltwater was already in the tank when i posed the question and since i did not want to undo that.. i came upon the idea i'd drop a single snail from DT in there last night. he's cruising around today so i think safe to say there's no bleach in that tank?

 

[Humblefish]

so rock and saltwater was already in the tank when i posed the question and since i did not want to undo that.. i came upon the idea i'd drop a single snail from DT in there last night. he's cruising around today so i think safe to say there's no bleach in that tank?

Yes, gastropods are pretty sensitive to things like chlorine in the water.

 

[mattzang]

Yes, gastropods are pretty sensitive to things like chlorine in the water.

you weren't kidding about hermit crabs being tough customers. i had one still in there when i got velvet and ramped up copper in there. that dude lived the entire time, pretty crazy.

 

[ChlebsTank]

I just started my tank Sunday, May 3rd. Used RODI water, saver rock, carbi sea sand. Fluval FX6 filter system in a 90 gallon tank. I mixed up water Saturday and filled the tank. Sunday I went to my LFS told the guy I was new, first tank, and I was getting ready to start my nitrogen cycle and need a couple fish. He sold me 3 Chromis. I acclimated them to the tank and dropped in Turbo 900 nitrifying bacteria. Next morning I wake up, one fish has a red sore. Clearly Uronema. Next day, it’s dead. Today I find fish #2 starting to have similar red sore.

I’m no where ready to medicate these fish and honestly not going to waste the time or funds on $6 fish.
My question is can I use the above process to clean my tank? If I need to completely break down the tank I will but if this method can be used I’d like to try it first.

 

[Humblefish]

My question is can I use the above process to clean my tank? If I need to completely break down the tank I will but if this method can be used I’d like to try it first.

Yes, I have used the process outlined in the OP to sterilize (and then reseed) tanks with sand & rock.

 

[ChlebsTank]

Yes, I have used the process outlined in the OP to sterilize (and then reseed) tanks with sand & rock.

Thank you for your research and taking the time to post it. I’ve been reading everything you’ve posted, the past couple years, about Uronema since this all started. Just found this thread this evening. Thank you for the quick response! I’ll give it a go!