Bleach Overdose

[Marco S]

I have been a bit lazy with a 10 gallon QT tank. I added bleach to sanitize it and since I did not have any new fish to add I let it sit for a bit. I usually let it sit for 24 hours and then rinse it a few times and let it completely dry before using it again, but I have let it sit for about three weeks now. Inside the tank with bleach water is a heater, powehead, HOB filter, magnet cleaner, thermometer and a few pieces of PVC. All in all it was about $140 worth of equipment.

My question is this...Is it too late to rinse everything off and use it again or would I be better off throwing everything out and buying all new equipment? Or should I throw certain things out, but keep other things?

My concerns are that the bleach may have weakened the seals of the tank, absorbed into the plastic pieces of the filter and heater, damaged the heater in any way or eaten through the plastic on the magnetic cleaner exposing the magnet to saltwater.

All comments are much appreciated! ;Happy

 

[Flippers4pups]

That's a long time in bleach, but it should be okay. Rinse everything well and dry completely before use.

 

[HotRocks]

I have been a bit lazy with a 10 gallon QT tank. I added bleach to sanitize it and since I did not have any new fish to add I let it sit for a bit. I usually let it sit for 24 hours and then rinse it a few times and let it completely dry before using it again, but I have let it sit for about three weeks now. Inside the tank with bleach water is a heater, powehead, HOB filter, magnet cleaner, thermometer and a few pieces of PVC. All in all it was about $140 worth of equipment.

My question is this...Is it too late to rinse everything off and use it again or would I be better off throwing everything out and buying all new equipment? Or should I throw certain things out, but keep other things?

My concerns are that the bleach may have weakened the seals of the tank, absorbed into the plastic pieces of the filter and heater, damaged the heater in any way or eaten through the plastic on the magnetic cleaner exposing the magnet to saltwater.

All comments are much appreciated! ;Happy

Just clean it all up really well. I have unintentionally left things in bleach for long periods of time. There may be a film that needs scrubbed off. Bleach also evaporates so there is that as well. Which is why you have to continually chlorinate a pool or hot tub to compensate for evaporation.

 

[mfinn]

Rinse everything and you will be fine.
When I use bleach on anything, I usually do a couple hour soak with a dechlorinator like API Tap Water Conditioner.