I have a heater that has been through ich.

[Brxdxn]

I have a heater that has ich on it and I was wondering if I could boil it to get rid of the ich? If so what degrees will instantly kill ich? Any other suggestions? I would like to put the heater in today.

 

[Tamberav]

I have a heater that has ich on it and I was wondering if I could boil it to get rid of the ich? If so what degrees will instantly kill ich? Any other suggestions? I would like to put the heater in today.

I am not sure it is safe to boil heaters as they are not made for boiling temps. I guess I would soak it in bleach and wash it very well.

I have a spare heater so I let mine dry out for 48 hours.

 

[Brxdxn]

I am not sure it is safe to boil heaters as they are not made for boiling temps. I guess I would soak it in bleach and wash it very well.

I have a spare heater so I let mine dry out for 48 hours.

Yea I was drying it out in the sun I would just like to put it in today.

 

[Billldg]

Agree with bleaching and letting it dry to sanitize it.

 

[Brxdxn]

Agree with bleaching and letting it dry to sanitize it.

But wouldn’t the bleach get it the tank? I can’t take apart the heater so I am afraid that the bleach might be in the heater and I put it in my tank and all of my fish die.

 

[Billldg]

Put it in a 5 gal bucket with RO/DI water and bleach and let it soak for 24-48 hours. Then remove it and let it air dry. Then soak it again in RO/DI water for another 24-48 hours. This is how I clean my QT tanks. If water got inside the heater then the heater will be bad as nothing should get inside the heater.

 

[Flexin]

Would citric acid clean it properly?

 

[Brxdxn]

Does the water go in the heater itself? Or does it just radiate the heat?

 

[JosephM]

I agree, you can soak in RODI water after bleach and add some prime too to neutralize the chloramines

 

[mclovings]

Freshwater or freshwater and vinegar soak. Followed by a soak outside in the sunshine. I don’t think Ich would be able to survive either.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

No the water doesn’t go in the heater. It would short out the heater. The bleach and RO bath will do the job. After which rinse the heater in fresh water. If you can’t smell bleach it good to go. You can set the heater out side in the sun after the fresh water rinse. The sun light will speed up drying and it will break down any left over bleach as well.

 

[Brxdxn]

Does the water go in the heater itself? Or does it just radiate the heat?

 

[Malcontent]

Gamma radiation.

 

[Brxdxn]

What does that mean

 

[Brxdxn]

Lol

 

[Brxdxn]

I’m dumb I’m sorry

 

[Rickybobby]

I’ve washed. Scrubbed and bleached than dried. Nonissue

 

[Billldg]

I will not tell you something that I haven't already done several times myself. I clean my QT tanks this way. Citric acid, as much as I use and love it, only cleans, it doesn't sanitize. I agree, if you are still concerned then you can use some prime to neutralize the bleach that may be left on the heater.

 

[Tamberav]

But wouldn’t the bleach get it the tank? I can’t take apart the heater so I am afraid that the bleach might be in the heater and I put it in my tank and all of my fish die.

Why is there bleach INSIDE the heater?

I would consider a heater defective if stuff is getting inside it and I would replace it. It is no good for QT if water is getting inside anyways as disease can ride over. Not to mention dangerous if it is getting inside the heating element part.

I have had cheap heaters where the cover was loose and the water could get inside the flimsy cover on the dial but I was able to open those up. Something like a Jager heater or Cobalt.. etc.. should not have this issue.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

You are only dumb if you don’t ask questions. We are here to help.