Using Bleach (NaClO) in a reef tank

[Dj City]

I just changed 32 gallons. About to change 32 more.

 

[Dj City]

I also just added a buttload of gac.

 

[FFJB]

I also just added a buttload of gac.

What is gac

 

[FFJB]

Did you dose in a high volume area?

 

[Dj City]

Yes.
I dosed into my tunze powerhead

 

[Dj City]

What is gac

Granular Activated Carbon

 

[Dj City]

After changing out 65 gallons of water, the clown looks ok.
The tangs look ok too but the lion is questionable.
He's hiding upside down in a cave still breathing hard.
He's breathing regular speed but breathing hard.
No color change though so I am hopeful.

 

[FFJB]

After changing out 65 gallons of water, the clown looks ok.
The tangs look ok too but the lion is questionable.
He's hiding upside down in a cave still breathing hard.
He's breathing regular speed but breathing hard.
No color change though so I am hopeful.

Do you have an orp probe by any chance.

 

[Dj City]

I do not.
No controller.
Just a dosing pump for triton (currently offline), lights, skimmer, purigen and filter sock.
I stuffed a fresh filter sock with carbon right after the water changes.

 

[FFJB]

I do not.
No controller.
Just a dosing pump for triton (currently offline), lights, skimmer, purigen and filter sock.
I stuffed a fresh filter sock with carbon right after the water changes.

I'm gonna pm you

 

[Dj City]

Morning...

Everything is still alive but the lion has not moved at all from where he perched himself last night. He's still breathing. He still has his color.
I'm hopeful.

Also, based on what I saw last night with the bleach, I believe I will try again AFTER everyone has fully recovered.
I had stuff floating around the tank that I've never seen before. I hope some of it was dead dinos.
I'm at work so I will see how everything looks when I get home this evening.

 

[Gareth elliott]

If what you are aiming to get rid of is dinos, have you tried less drastic measures? I had no fish issues to nutrient dosing + UV to get rid of mine. Also solved the reason i got dinos very low nutrients. Changed from carbon dosing to a fuge so doesnt happen again. Took awhile but again never harmed my fish.

 

[Dj City]

Yes.
I've tried vibrant, low nutrients, High nutrients, low nitrates and phosphates, High nitrates and phosphates, blackouts, Shorter light duration, longer light duration, UV, manual removal, GFO, No GFO, GAC, No GAC, and some more stuff.

My corals are starting to die off so i'm at the end of the line.
Either this is going to work or i'm going to have to tear the tank down, toss the sand, bleach the rocks, bleach the tank, add new sand and start over.

I'm REALLY trying to avoid doing all that.

 

[Dj City]

One thing for sure though,
Before the next bleach dose, I will have PLENTY of new saltwater pre-made to deal with an emergency water change if needed.

 

[Dj City]

Im home from work and my lionfish is still with us.
I feed him and he ate. His eye is cloudy but I expect it to get better.
Im going to hold of for about a week before I even think of doing the next dose.

 

[Jose o deligne sr]

I've never experienced any issues with bleach and fish . It's why I always ask water volume . Can't base it off tank size. Have to take out for rock etc. My tank is a 125 plus a 40 gallon sump. I estimate water volume at 125. Probably should estimate it at 100 if I'm being real. I dose 14 ml daily. No issues.

Did you keep corals and invaders in the tank while bleach treatment

 

[Dj City]

Wow.
I have not updated this thread.

Both the Lionfish and the Clown are fine. I did not do another dose of bleach.

I'm building a brand new 180 gallon tank instead.

 

[Jose o deligne sr]

Did the bleach treatment kill the dinos
How much and how often were you treating
Thanks

 

[Dj City]

For me.....

Nope!

Bleach did nothing for me but then again, I only did the 1 treatment.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[stacksoner]

Do you have any updates, insights, or dosing recommendations?

I'm curious to know if this a go-to part of your regimen now, a retired experiment you've moved on from, or something you'd use as a problem solver.