Cleaning/Disinfecting filters for future use?

[OliveFish05]

Hi. We had 2 AquaClear 50 filters running on our koi quarantine tank, which we ended up treating for a bacteria infection before moving the koi to the pond (after the infection cleared up (hopefully)) My mother vowed to never quarantine koi indoors again, so was gonna throw away the filters, but I asked if I could keep them. How do I need to clean them to make them safe for my tanks? I plan to run them on my 55 gallon tank in place of my Marineland 350. I scrubbed all parts of the filter housing and intake with a toothbrush and rinsed in hose water. I do NOT want to deal with fin rot and bacterial infection in my tanks, because I didn’t wash 2 stupid filters well enough. SO what do I need to do?

 

[OliveFish05]

Perhaps “disinfecting“ would be a better word!

 

[Uberhoust]

I would thoroughly disinfect the hard plastic portions of the filter with normal bleach or oxygen bleach. The sponges I would disinfect with oxygen bleach, or simply replace. The sponge filler portion is difficult to rinse which is why I would use oxygen bleach. I personally have not disinfected the sponge for AC filters but instead replaced them if need be. I suggest oxygen bleach because it is mostly hydrogen peroxide and breaks down to water and oxygen rapidly so if you have some residue in the filter it isn't a big deal. Oxygen bleach with a high organic load in the filter might get a bit warm, the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide is an exothermic reaction. I like the AC filters it is worth cleaning and re-using them.

 

[Colin_T]

Any idea what type of bacterial infection the fish had?

Fin rot is caused by poor water quality that allows bacteria to enter the damaged tissue. The bacteria that enters the damaged fins is in every aquarium.

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If you want to disinfect plastic items, soak them in straight household bleach for 10-15 minutes, then rinse really well under tap water.
*NB* Do not bleach metal objects because they will rust.

The motor for the filter can be washed with warm soapy water, rinse well, then dried, then soaked/ washed with alcohol. Then washed and rinsed and allowed to dry before being re-used.

There should be a rubber o-ring around the top of the motor and this can be washed with soapy water, rinsed, soaked in alcohol for 10 minutes, then washed and rinsed again. Then smear a thin layer of Vaseline on the o-ring before putting it back on the motor.

There should be 1 or 2 rubber grommets on the impellor shaft. This rubber bit can be washed with soapy water, rinsed, soaked in alcohol for 10 minutes, then washed again.
*NB* Don't bleach rubber because it dries out and breaks down.

 

[OliveFish05]

Any idea what type of bacterial infection the fish had?

Fin rot is caused by poor water quality that allows bacteria to enter the damaged tissue. The bacteria that enters the damaged fins is in every aquarium.

We think it was/is Columnaris, I understand this is always in the aquarium and is able to “take hold” when the fish are stressed, with lowered immune systems, then also leaving the potential for secondary infections (fin rot)? The fish were shipped to us, then put into quarantine. We quarantined for 3 weeks, while we treated it. There were 3 batches of koi, which we quarantined separately. One batch showed signs of bacterial infection, and we treated, but over the last few days one of the ones from a different supplier (who was already in the pond) developed fin rot and died, and all the fish in the pond are flicking themselves on the side of the pond. I am not really sure at all at this point, any help/thoughts are greatly appreciated (I was going to make a thread, but then my mom treated the whole pond with Melafix, and I figured I’d just see what happens)

I would thoroughly disinfect the hard plastic portions of the filter with normal bleach or oxygen bleach. The sponges I would disinfect with oxygen bleach, or simply replace. The sponge filler portion is difficult to rinse which is why I would use oxygen bleach. I personally have not disinfected the sponge for AC filters but instead replaced them if need be. I suggest oxygen bleach because it is mostly hydrogen peroxide and breaks down to water and oxygen rapidly so if you have some residue in the filter it isn't a big deal. Oxygen bleach with a high organic load in the filter might get a bit warm, the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide is an exothermic reaction. I like the AC filters it is worth cleaning and re-using them.

Ok! Thank you! I definitely do NOT plan to reuse the sponges, I would rather pay $4 and buy myself new ones

If you want to disinfect plastic items, soak them in straight household bleach for 10-15 minutes, then rinse really well under tap water.
*NB* Do not bleach metal objects because they will rust.

The motor for the filter can be washed with warm soapy water, rinse well, then dried, then soaked/ washed with alcohol. Then washed and rinsed and allowed to dry before being re-used.

There should be a rubber o-ring around the top of the motor and this can be washed with soapy water, rinsed, soaked in alcohol for 10 minutes, then washed and rinsed again. Then smear a thin layer of Vaseline on the o-ring before putting it back on the motor.

There should be 1 or 2 rubber grommets on the impellor shaft. This rubber bit can be washed with soapy water, rinsed, soaked in alcohol for 10 minutes, then washed again.
*NB* Don't bleach rubber because it dries out and breaks down.

Thank you for your help! Are there any substitutes for Vaseline? I dont think I have any on hand, but could purchase some

 

[Colin_T]

Thank you for your help! Are there any substitutes for Vaseline? I dont think I have any on hand, but could purchase some

Vegetable oil

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We think it was/is Columnaris, I understand this is always in the aquarium and is able to “take hold” when the fish are stressed, with lowered immune systems, then also leaving the potential for secondary infections (fin rot)? The fish were shipped to us, then put into quarantine. We quarantined for 3 weeks, while we treated it. There were 3 batches of koi, which we quarantined separately. One batch showed signs of bacterial infection, and we treated, but over the last few days one of the ones from a different supplier (who was already in the pond) developed fin rot and died, and all the fish in the pond are flicking themselves on the side of the pond. I am not really sure at all at this point, any help/thoughts are greatly appreciated (I was going to make a thread, but then my mom treated the whole pond with Melafix, and I figured I’d just see what happens)

Columnaris is not in every tank. It is uncommon in home aquariums but sort of common in importer's tanks and shop tanks. The shops get it from the importers and it usually affects tetras and rarely affects goldfish.

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If the fish in the pond have fin rot now, you need to check the water quality (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH) in the pond.

Rubbing/ flicking on objects is either poor water quality or an external protozoan infection.

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Melafix should only be used if there is lots of aeration and filtration because it can leave an oily film on the surface and reduce the oxygen/ carbon dioxide exchange.

Salt is a better treatment for goldfish and koi. Salt will treat some bacterial, fungal and protozoan infections in fish. You can use 1-4 heaped tablespoons of rock salt for every 20 litres (5 gallons) of tank water. Keep the salt in there for 2-4 weeks.

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I would do a huge water change on the pond and remove any gunk on the bottom. Then refill with dechlorinated water and add salt at a dose rate of 2 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres. If they keep rubbing after a few days, increase it to 4 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres.
Keep the salt in there for at least 2 weeks.

 

[OliveFish05]

Vegetable oil

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Columnaris is not in every tank. It is uncommon in home aquariums but sort of common in importer's tanks and shop tanks. The shops get it from the importers and it usually affects tetras and rarely affects goldfish.

Ohhhhhhh ok. Thank you. I do know that 1/3 of the koi were from one online supplier, the rest from another. The one supplier we bought the 1/3 from DID allow imports, would this have made it possible for columnaris to be introduced? The koi from the supplier who allowed imports were the ones that were sick.

Melafix should only be used if there is lots of aeration and filtration because it can leave an oily film on the surface and reduce the oxygen/ carbon dioxide exchange.

Interesting! The pond has a waterfall with lots of surface agitation, but I will definitely let my mom know about the salt! Can the salt and the Melafix be used at the same time, in case she doesn’t want to stop using the Melafix?

I would do a huge water change on the pond and remove any gunk on the bottom. Then refill with dechlorinated water and add salt at a dose rate of 2 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres. If they keep rubbing after a few days, increase it to 4 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres.
Keep the salt in there for at least 2 weeks.

Ok... would a water change be necessary if the water parameters are all good? I am afraid our well couldn‘t fill the pond back up if I did 50% a water change

Thank you for your help!

 

[OliveFish05]

I got my bleach, do I dilute it to soak the filters Pieces?

 

[Colin_T]

I got my bleach, do I dilute it to soak the filters Pieces?

There is no need to dilute it, just straight bleach for 10-15 minutes on plastic items then rinse well with tap water.

Remember, no metal items in the bleach because the bleach will damage the metal. Only put plastic items in the bleach.

*NB* Whenever you handle bleach, wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and overalls or something to stop the bleach splashing onto you or your clothing.

*NB* Try to use the bleach outside and not in a closed room because the fumes are hazardous and can burn your sinuses and lungs if you inhale them.

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Ohhhhhhh ok. Thank you. I do know that 1/3 of the koi were from one online supplier, the rest from another. The one supplier we bought the 1/3 from DID allow imports, would this have made it possible for columnaris to be introduced? The koi from the supplier who allowed imports were the ones that were sick.

It's possible the imported fish have/ had columnaris but there are other issues that cause similar symptoms to fish and goldfish and koi aren't regular carriers of columnaris.

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The pond has a waterfall with lots of surface agitation, but I will definitely let my mom know about the salt! Can the salt and the Melafix be used at the same time, in case she doesn’t want to stop using the Melafix?

A waterfall should help aerate it well as long as it is run continuously.

It's preferable not to mix medications with salt because medications and salt reduce the oxygen in the water and they both stress the fish. The more chemicals you put in the water, the more stress you put on the fish.

You can in an emergency situation use Melafix with salt but you have to be careful and I don't normally recommend it. It is preferable to use one or the other, not both.

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would a water change be necessary if the water parameters are all good? I am afraid our well couldn‘t fill the pond back up if I did 50% a water change

Water changes are always useful because they dilute disease organisms as well as nutrients. So even if you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite & less than 20ppm nitrate in the water, you can still get lots of microscopic organisms in the water that affect fish. You also get chemicals/ hormones released by the fish and if these are not removed, they build up and stress the fish.

Can you take some water from the well each day and store it until you have enough to do a big water change?
If not can you do a 1/3 water change?
Can you remove half the water and fill it back up over the next few days?

 

[OliveFish05]

There is no need to dilute it, just straight bleach for 10-15 minutes on plastic items then rinse well with tap water.

Remember, no metal items in the bleach because the bleach will damage the metal. Only put plastic items in the bleach.

Perfect! That’s what I did. I didn’t have enough bleach to fully submerge the filter housing, so I did dilute it a little, but I still soaked them the full 15 minutes before reallyyyyyy rinsing and scrubbing them in the hose

*NB* Whenever you handle bleach, wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and overalls or something to stop the bleach splashing onto you or your clothing.

... I didn’t wear gloves It only got a little bit on my fingers, and I washed my hands and showered as soon as I was finished

A waterfall should help aerate it well as long as it is run continuously.

Ok, it is run continuously.

It's preferable not to mix medications with salt because medications and salt reduce the oxygen in the water and they both stress the fish. The more chemicals you put in the water, the more stress you put on the fish.

Ohhhh ok, makes sense. I talked To my parents about it a couple days ago, and they bith said they were happy to try to salt.

Water changes are always useful because they dilute disease organisms as well as nutrients. So even if you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite & less than 20ppm nitrate in the water, you can still get lots of microscopic organisms in the water that affect fish. You also get chemicals/ hormones released by the fish and if these are not removed, they build up and stress the fish.

Can you take some water from the well each day and store it until you have enough to do a big water change?
If not can you do a 1/3 water change?
Can you remove half the water and fill it back up over the next few days?

I can talk to my mom and see what she thinks! It took us 2 weeks to fill it when it was new, and I remember there was barely just enough water for us to take quick 5 minute showers. Its rained the last 2 days here, I shoulda done it then! I will look into and see! Thank you for your help

 

[Ichthys]

There’s no need to disinfect anything. There are no fish pathogens that can stand a thorough drying out.

 

[Colin_T]

There’s no need to disinfect anything. There are no fish pathogens that can stand a thorough drying out.

Fish Tuberculosis (Mycobacteria species) can survive dry periods for years.

 

[Ichthys]

Fish Tuberculosis (Mycobacteria species) can survive dry periods for years.

Fair point. I don’t include tb when I think of fish diseases because it’s so rare (I’ve never seen a case in 50 years). Also it doesn’t seem to have been present in this case.