Glutaraldehyde for Disinfecting

sbash · Nov 1, 2018

Hi Everybody!

I recently came into possession of this product:

https://www.metrex.com/en-ca/products/high-level-disinfectants/metricide

I think it is the 14 day one I have, with the activator. I have a couple quarantine tanks I would like to sterilize, has anyone ever used anything like this to clean tanks?

Thanks!

Dr. Reef · Nov 1, 2018

a simple vinegar/rodi 50/50 solution is 100% safe to use on running tanks. Non running tanks can be cleaned with bleach and rinsed then air dried with no issues.
I personally wouldnt use any chemicals that i cannot test for nor fully know if they have any long lasting effects.
Vinegar or bleach have been proven and used for years.
Although there are reports of people using very diluted amounts of Glutaraldehyde to kill green hair algae with some negative reactions to corals. It is also very toxic in nature to bacteria and might through tank into cycle again.
just my 2 cents

NY_Caveman · Nov 1, 2018

I have used it to disinfect equipment. Works well, but be very careful handling the product. I did not use the activator for any purpose.

I used it (the 14 day) in my freshwater tanks as a poor man’s Flourish Excel. It is basically a Carbon source.

HCO-(CH2)3-CHO

Gareth elliott · Nov 1, 2018

It breaks down relatively quickly when exposed to light and air. With aHalf life of 12 hours eventually breaking down to co2 and h20. Considering what we are sanitizing an aquarium for though, not sure its safety considerations are warranted. This is used is the medical field when left over dried proteins remain on an instrument and their removal is necessary. Think cleaning a scalpel or dental equipment from a procedure 12 hours or longer before being cleaned.