How to sanitize tank, plumbing and equipment

[Mike810]

Hi everyone,

I recently shut down my 375 gallon tank to do a reset. I had a bunch of bubble algae, aptasia and a nutrient problem I could never resolve. Most likely due to the gravel used instead of sand.

I am wondering how to sanitize all the live rock, plumbing and equipment so none of the pest come back when I restart the tank.
Thanks in advance!!

 

[Reefahholic]

Hi everyone,

I recently shut down my 375 gallon tank to do a reset. I had a bunch of bubble algae, aptasia and a nutrient problem I could never resolve. Most likely due to the gravel used instead of sand.

I am wondering how to sanitize all the live rock, plumbing and equipment so none of the pest come back when I restart the tank.
Thanks in advance!!

I’d personally let it sit in a bleach solution for a few days. Then rinse it really well and let it soak in some RODI. Rinse it again and let it dry out in the sun. Then put it back into a vat with RODI and test for chlorine (you can find chlorine tests on BRS or Amazon). If Chlorine free, test the PO4 level after a few days and see if it’s leaching PO4 from the previous nutrient issue. If it is, dose something like Brightwell Phosphate E, or Seaklear (Lanthanum Chloride) until it’s done leaching.


BTW…if there is a bunch of Calcium Carbonate buildup and micro-crustaceans you can mix up a 70-30 RODI/Muriatic acid mixture and use a spray bottle, and it will literally dissolve everything calcium carbonate within minutes on the glass, plumbing, overflow, rocks, etc. However, make sure to use the proper PPE. Get a good 3M mask with Vapor filter’s and eye protection (Lowe’s or Home Depot). You can also find the Muriatic acid there as well.


Rinse it all again and let it dry out good and you’re ready to roll with a new tank. Best of luck!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

bleach water in a bucket with a powerhead for a few days and you will have a nice white rock.

 

[Enderg60]

If the system is still setup, fill it up with bleachy water and scrape off as much buildup as you can.

Take it all down and acid dip what needs cleaning.

Throw away ALL PIPING. Just redo it, its not worth keeping.

 

[Dburr1014]

I’d personally let it sit in a bleach solution for a few days. Then rinse it really well and let it soak in some RODI. Rinse it again and let it dry out in the sun. Then put it back into a vat with RODI and test for chlorine (you can find chlorine tests on BRS or Amazon). If Chlorine free, test the PO4 level after a few days and see if it’s leaching PO4 from the previous nutrient issue. If it is, dose something like Brightwell Phosphate E, or Seaklear (Lanthanum Chloride) until it’s done leaching.


BTW…if there is a bunch of Calcium Carbonate buildup and micro-crustaceans you can mix up a 70-30 RODI/Muriatic acid mixture and use a spray bottle, and it will literally dissolve everything calcium carbonate within minutes on the glass, plumbing, overflow, rocks, etc. However, make sure to use the proper PPE. Get a good 3M mask with Vapor filter’s and eye protection (Lowe’s or Home Depot). You can also find the Muriatic acid there as well.


Rinse it all again and let it dry out good and you’re ready to roll with a new tank. Best of luck!

Baking soda will neutralize the acid.

 

[Reefahholic]

Baking soda will neutralize the acid.

Yes it will.

 

[Joe's Coral Reef]

You can also just fill with water and citric acid. It cleans just as good as anything else however it may take a little longer. When I cleaned an old tank recently I think it was one day for the citric acid to complete remove all the coraline algae .

 

[Mike810]

Thanks for the replies everyone, really appreciate it. So my system is probably over 400 gallons with sump. Can I fill with tap water and drop in a bag of pool shock? It’s highly concentrated chlorine for pools and one bag should be good for 14,000 gallons. Maybe I can use that and be done with it in a day or two?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Tap water is fine, shock has more than chlorine and I would advise against it. Couple gallons of bleach isn't too expensive.

 

[Mike810]

Tap water is fine, shock has more than chlorine and I would advise against it. Couple gallons of bleach isn't too expensive.

Would the 1:10 ratio still apply when sanitizing the entire tank/plumbing and equipment?

 

[Dburr1014]

Would the 1:10 ratio still apply when sanitizing the entire tank/plumbing and equipment?

Yes, I would think so. It will kill everything but not remove anything. So if by chance you had tube worms with calcium tubes, they will still be there after the bleach. You may not care about that, just pointing it out.

 

[Mike810]

Yes, I would think so. It will kill everything but not remove anything. So if by chance you had tube worms with calcium tubes, they will still be there after the bleach. You may not care about that, just pointing it out.

I do have a ton of tubes everywhere. Is it possible to run acid in the tank or will that destroy silicone and pvc glue?

 

[Dburr1014]

I do have a ton of tubes everywhere. Is it possible to run acid in the tank or will that destroy silicone and pvc glue?

Acid? I like muriatic acid? That would be a lot of acid to fill all those pipes.

 

[Mike810]

Acid? I like muriatic acid? That would be a lot of acid to fill all those pipes.

Haha, yes. I’d need a lot of bleach too if I went the bleach route. .