How to sterilize used aquarium

[Ckane2]

I have a used innovative marine 10G that I want to sterilize. I’m restarting the tank so I can prevent aiptasia bubble algae vermetid snails etc. from entering the system. Is citric acid strong enough to sterilize it? Or should I just go for bleach?
All advice welcome!!!

 

[Big Smelly fish]

If it’s been dry for any length of time you don’t have to worry about pest.

 

[Dan_P]

I have a used innovative marine 10G that I want to sterilize. I’m restarting the tank so I can prevent aiptasia bubble algae vermetid snails etc. from entering the system. Is citric acid strong enough to sterilize it? Or should I just go for bleach?
All advice welcome!!!

I can’t imagine any organisms you mentioned surviving just being dried out. But if want to sterilize it…

Bleach would do a good job. Diluting household bleach 1 part in ten, filling the tank with it, and soaking overnight will give you to sterilized aquarium

 

[Ckane2]

I can’t imagine any organisms you mentioned surviving just being dried out. But if want to sterilize it…

Bleach would do a good job. Diluting household bleach 1 part in ten, filling the tank with it, and soaking overnight will give you to sterilized aquarium

Yeah I’m reading around about bleach now. Out of curiosity (and because I have citric acid powder on hand and not bleach), do you think citric acid would have a similar affect?

 

[Ckane2]

If it’s been dry for any length of time you don’t have to worry about pest.

Thanks for the reply, it has not been dry for a length of time, I definitely want to soak it with something, just trying to determine if I definitely need to go out and get bleach as I’m currently quarantined and have 5 days with nothing to do lol

 

[40g Nano]

Thanks for the reply, it has not been dry for a length of time, I definitely want to soak it with something, just trying to determine if I definitely need to go out and get bleach as I’m currently quarantined and have 5 days with nothing to do lol

why dont you just run some vinegar through it?

 

[Ckane2]

why dont you just run some vinegar through it?

I’ve heard vinegar can damage pumps/magnets/equipment, although I have almost all new equipment for when I start the tank up again so it’s not a bad idea. Do you think vinegar would kill every last vermetid snail/aiptasia in any nooks and crannies? Like I said I just have citric acid powder on hand and am quarantined right now. I’m reluctant to use bleach also because I don’t have a well ventilated area I can run the tank for days

 

[40g Nano]

I’ve heard vinegar can damage pumps/magnets/equipment, although I have almost all new equipment for when I start the tank up again so it’s not a bad idea. Do you think vinegar would kill every last vermetid snail/aiptasia in any nooks and crannies? Like I said I just have citric acid powder on hand and am quarantined right now. I’m reluctant to use bleach also because I don’t have a well ventilated area I can run the tank for days

ive never heard that vinegar can damage equipment, and i use it all the time

if the tank is dry then no vermetid snail or aptasia will survive

 

[jmichaelh7]

Get some vinegar tossed in there with water and a rag

 

[Dan_P]

Yeah I’m reading around about bleach now. Out of curiosity (and because I have citric acid powder on hand and not bleach), do you think citric acid would have a similar affect?

Citric acid will not do the same thing as bleach, but the low pH is more damaging to life than just water and it will help dissolve salt deposits.

 

[damsels are not mean]

Citric acid or just let it dry out for a while. I don't think anything in our tanks could survive being dry for more than a few days.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

White vinegar. Warm water. Scrub. Repeat. Lol.
Rinse real well.
Done.
-d

 

[Coralsdaily]

+1 with vinigar being the safest method without posing any potential issue. And no they do not damage equipments. I regularly soak my power heads in vinegar to reduce carbonate build up

 

[Ckane2]

I ended up running vinegar through the system for a day, scrubbing, then rinsed well and let it dry out completely. It worked very well couldn’t see any remaining pests/algae or anything. Tank looks brand new and is cycling now with all new equipment!

 

[Kompact]

Edit: Ah, just realised you already went down the vinegar route! Hope it went well!

Can't speak on other methods, but I just sterilized an old tank using bleach and have had zero issues.

My method comprised mixing 1 part bleach with 9 parts hot water and letting it sit in the tank along with all the other equipment for 15 minutes. After 15 mins, I dunked all the water out in the tub and rinsed thoroughly twice with clean tap water. Then I let the tank and equipment sit in direct sunlight for 48 hours to make sure no bleach was left behind.

If you plan on bleaching stuff like filters which has a bunch of nooks and crannies, I would probably let it sit for a bit longer as the bleach may get trapped inside. Also, make sure you don't bleach things like filter floss/sponges or activated carbon that might be inside filters, as they tend to absorb the bleach - better off just buying new ones.

Have had a clownfish in the tank for about a week now and he seems happier than ever! Good luck with whatever route you choose!

 

[nereefpat]

Vinegar does indeed damage pumps, especially seals and the plastic around magnets including impellers. Because of the structure of acetic acid (vinegar) it can penitrate through plastic.

Beware of Vinegar - The Pump Killer

I have posted bits and piece of my vinegar story over the past three years, and I thought it would be beneficial if one post contained all that I've learn. You'll be surprised! This story will contain three parts; my history with vinegar, the cause and simplified chemistry what's happening...

www.reef2reef.com