How do I make sure my apex probes do not carry ich?

[Kzang]

So my apex probes were in a tank. I was using my nuvo 30long as a QT, then my blue and powder blue got ich so I moved them to a cheap aqueon tank.

I forgot to remove the probes. How do I move it without it getting ruined? Can I put them in fresh water for a week and that should be enough time to make sure no ich lives without drying the probes out?

 

[RCeiver]

Better to move them to a bucket and leave them fallow for 76 days.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

The ph probe can dry out for a day without really damaging it. Yes you want to keep them wet but drying them out for a couple days isnt going to instantly destroy it. Besides, the only last 2 years at most anyways

 

[Jeeperz]

I second the above. But, I've never had pH probes hold their calibration going on the 1 year mark. By 1 year they require constant cslibrations. That's from Hanna though, maybe a quality issue, stored in Hanna storage solution.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

It depends which hannah, they make several different grades of probes. We use a lot of ph probes at work, some of dried out for quite awhile and worked fine.

 

[jda]

I would plan on replacing them, but if you have this mindset and just want to tru something, then try strong h2o2.

 

[Mical]

As jda mentioned prior to replacing them I would soak them in white vinegar & RODI water for a couple of days.

 

[Jeeperz]

I know one is the cheap TDS/pH black one. The other I use, the probes are like $100 as it's a $400 meter with the probe on a cable. No clue on the models as I have not used them in years.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I would stick it in a bucket of saltwater for 76 days.

 

[Jeeperz]

Is that the only way to kill ich? Peroxide and a toothbrush won't work? Bleach? Vinegar?

 

[jda]

Peroxide would be my first choice, or muriatic acid. Then bleach. I find vinegar to be a toy for most reef applications and not strong enough, but YMMV.

 

[Mical]

Killing ICH seems to be a big unknown. There is lots of theories on the "opinionette" (internet) but no-one can confirm and actual solution. IMO in your case is it worth the risk? Your choices - try to soak in some solution & hope it worked vs just replacing probes. I think I would just replace the probes.

 

[bluprntguy]

Is that the only way to kill ich? Peroxide and a toothbrush won't work? Bleach? Vinegar?

As I recall, the two things that have been studied to kill encysted stage of marine ich are bleach and hot water. Anything else is going to be a maybe.

 

[phatduckk]

The risk is having eggs attached. Free floaters would just die in a week. I’ve read of folks nuking their tanks after a bad outbreak with bleach using the following chart to determine how much is necessary https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/dwgwp/DW/chlorinedosageemergencydisinfection.pdf. Still not sure if that handles the eggs though.

@HotRocks would know, I bet

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Geeezus folks. Bleach, h2o2, vinegar, 76 days in a bucket?

Why not pack it in thermite and set it alight. Let it dry for a day...done.

 

[Kzang]

Well, can't they not live in fresh water? Keep it in fresh for a week?

 

[Mical]

Well, can't they not live in fresh water? Keep it in fresh for a week?

SERIOUSLY? I'm baffled by all the opinions of what OP should do. Put it to you this way, if it was YOUR TANK would you play russian roulette with your inhabitants based on opinions? Or would you replace probes in question with new probes?

 

[JP Reef]

Bleach, tapwater, boiling water or allow to dry for 24 hours are all viable options to deal with ich. What do you think people do that TTM their new fish?? Buying new probes is not necessary.

 

[symon_say]

I'll just replace the probe. That way you're 100% certain the probe is ich free.

 

[Thales]

24 hours dry will kill them (I think this is from Noga), I usually leave stuff for 48. Since, drying might be a problem for the probes, you could do104 degree F for an hour. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164 Freshwater may be better than saltwater, so use freshwater. Also, lets say 108 for 90 minutes just for fun. I looked for the max temp the probes can take but have come up empty. I can't believe that 104 F would bother them at all , but what do I know.

I don't think anyone has done a study on freshwater for disinfection of crypto, but since the probes would have been up high, they would have a small chance of having a cysts on them, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again after a day or two in FW with a soft toothbrushing before and after. But, that is me, YMMV.