How to sanitize a quarantine tank

[Sleepydoc]

I want/need to take down and sanitize my QT. It's a 29gal with a Fluval HOB filter, heater & power head.

What's the best/easiest way? My thought is just to drain it clean it out and let it dry thoroughly, possibly filling and emptying it with (chlorinated) tap water. I know some people will use bleach, etc; is this necessary? To my knowledge, desiccation should kill the major pathogens (cryptocarion, amyloodinium, uronema and brooklynella)

 

[Humblefish]

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/video-how-to-sterilize-a-quarantine-tank.201/

 

[WallysWorld]

I have a simple 10g QT tank with an HOB Filter. I did not use meds, in my QT tank only observation. When done I emptied salt water, wiped tank down with a new, clean sponge. Then refilled with tap water, added a cap full of bleach and ran the HOB filter for a couple of hours. I threw away the filter media, and will purchase new media next time I run the QT. Then did a final rinse with tap water and let dry before putting away.

Not certain if I have any science behind what I did, but seems appropriate.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Thanks, Humblefish! I actually did a search but used 'sanitize' rather than 'sterilize.' (Just to nit pick, what Meredith did was sanitizing, but I know a lot of people use sanitize and sterilize interchangeably.)

 

[scuzy]

Bleach should be fine then rinse and let air dry. Add some dechlorinator and you're good to go.

 

[WallysWorld]

Just curious...I think that chlorine eventually evaporates, is that correct? Does it leave behind any residue?

 

[Sleepydoc]

Pure bleach is sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), so no, not much to leave a residue. It’s actually getting hard to find pure bleach without additives, though. Whether it’s to make it less noxious or to try and delude us into thinking we’re in a meadow of lavender somewhere instead of doing laundry, most of the bleach I see at the store these days has some sort of scent in it.

Bleach certainly works, but I prefer not to use it if I can avoid it. It’s pretty noxious, stains clothes (or the carpet if you splash) and I worry about leaving some behind and/or inadvertently causing issues in my DT. Vinegar is not as potent but it’s acidic enough to kill the important stuff and it’s much more benign. Plus I use it for cleaning pumps, poweheads, etc, so I generally have it around.

 

[scuzy]

Other way is just let it sit dry for a few days and most water pathogen will die.

 

[User]

Hot water, white vinegar, scrubby, and sit in front of a hurricane fan for 24-36 hours to totally dry.

I did go through a phase of putting like 6 denture cleaning tabs in there to fizz away, but the ingredient list didn’t inspire much confidence they were actually doing anything


I don’t use other chemicals unless there are stubborn stains or there was a definite pathogen in the tank.

In that case, the whole lot gets taken outside and hosed down with plenty of fresh water - hot and cold- before drying

 

[Sleepydoc]

Hot water, white vinegar, scrubby, and sit in front of a hurricane fan for 24-36 hours to totally dry.

I did go through a phase of putting like 6 denture cleaning tabs in there to fizz away, but the ingredient list didn’t inspire much confidence they were actually doing anything


I don’t use other chemicals unless there are stubborn stains or there was a definite pathogen in the tank.

In that case, the whole lot gets taken outside and hosed down with plenty of fresh water - hot and cold- before drying

I think you’re only supposed to use denture tabs for toothfish! ;Smuggrin

I’m not in a hurry with this, so I emptied, added 5 gallons of warm/hot tap water and 3-4 cups vinegar. After thoroughly scrubbing everything it’s now empty and drying. I’ll let it sit for a week or so and then fill it up with recycled display tank water.

I’m trying to figure out what to do with the ceramic filter media. I’m thinking I’ll just soak it in hot/boiling tap water for a few minutes - even if the chlorine from the tap water doesn’t make it into all the pores the heat should be enough to sanitize it.

 

[User]

I think you’re only supposed to use denture tabs for toothfish! ;Smuggrin

I’m not in a hurry with this, so I emptied, added 5 gallons of warm/hot tap water and 3-4 cups vinegar. After thoroughly scrubbing everything it’s now empty and drying. I’ll let it sit for a week or so and then fill it up with recycled display tank water.

I’m trying to figure out what to do with the ceramic filter media. I’m thinking I’ll just soak it in hot/boiling tap water for a few minutes - even if the chlorine from the tap water doesn’t make it into all the pores the heat should be enough to sanitize it.

That’s actually what I did when I’ve used ceramic media. Run the hot tap until it’s as hot as it’ll go, fill up a container and dump the media in. Put lid on, shake it up hard, then let it sit. Saying that- I’ve only done it twice and now use really inexpensive pillow stuffing, and just toss it afterwards. No risk of potential cross-contamination that way.