Decontamination

[love_fish]

How can I decontaminate some of my equipment, like my gravel vac and nets? I have colmunaris in one tank, and I did a gravel vac before medicating. Now, I need to vac my other tank, but Im afraid of it contaminating the other tank. I also used my net while this was going on, so it needs to be decontaminated too.

What can I do?

 

[Tolak]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=119809&hl=

 

[Teelie]

There are also several chemical cleaners for just this kind of thing. I think one is called "Safe Net" or something similar and is used as a disinfectant to clean nets and other aquarium equipment.

 

[love_fish]

Do you think I could use an ammonia solution?

 

[Teelie]

I have no idea. I'll see if I can look it up and what it contains.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi love_fish

Pure ammonia would probably kill all the harmful bacteria, but you might risk starting a mini-cycle if any of it got into your tank because it wasn't completely rinsed off.

Never use any ammonia that is called "sudsy" or that foams or has other cleaning products in it. These are likely to be chemicals that could harm your fish. Good, old fashioned, regular Clorox bleach is probably the safest thing to use unless you buy products specifically manufactured for use in aquariums.

 

[love_fish]

Alright, thanks Inchworm and everyone. I guess I'll go with the bleach.

 

[love_fish]

Well, I did it, but my nets still smell like bleach a little. Does this mean it needs more rinsing and isnt safe to use just yet?

 

[Teelie]

Rinse them good in some clean water again and let them thoroughly dry just to be safe.

 

[love_fish]

Rinse them good in some clean water again and let them thoroughly dry just to be safe.

Alright, will do.