UV sterilizer sticky after cleaning with bleach

[Huskymaniac]

I am starting a new tank and soaked mt old uv sterilizer casing in a 10 to 1 bleach solution overnight. I rinsed out with water but the entire unit is all sticky now. Not sure what it is or where it came from. Any ideas on what to do. Do you think soaking in vinegar is a good idea?

 

[theMeat]

Bleach is bad for certain rubbers and plastics.
Vinegar is better but is still damaging.
Muriatic acid is best for rubber /plastic but will damage metals, and of course you, so be careful

 

[Peace River]

I am starting a new tank and soaked mt old uv sterilizer casing in a 10 to 1 bleach solution overnight. I rinsed out with water but the entire unit is all sticky now. Not sure what it is or where it came from. Any ideas on what to do. Do you think soaking in vinegar is a good idea?

Is it sticky in water contact areas? It is possible that the bleach started to break down the plastic or the coating on the plastic. Once the part has been well rinses and dries completely then the bleach has been counteracted and I'm not sure that vinegar would have any effect at this point. If it is sticky in water-contact areas then I'm concerned how the plastic may be compromised. If it is only sticky in non-water contact areas then you may want to try to scrub with baking soda which would work as a mild abrasive to remove the sticky residue. HTH and at least provides some things to consider.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Is it sticky in water contact areas? It is possible that the bleach started to break down the plastic or the coating on the plastic. Once the part has been well rinses and dries completely then the bleach has been counteracted and I'm not sure that vinegar would have any effect at this point. If it is sticky in water-contact areas then I'm concerned how the plastic may be compromised. If it is only sticky in non-water contact areas then you may want to try to scrub with baking soda which would work as a mild abrasive to remove the sticky residue. HTH and at least provides some things to consider.

It seems to be stickier on the outside of the unit than in the inside but I cant get my hand all the way in to feel it. Everything looks intact. I have it drying outside in the sun. It literally feels like when you a pull a sticker label off something and the residue that gets left behind. This is what I soaked it in and you can see some of the residue on the bottom.