Disinfecting Fish Tank

[coloradogirl]

Hello,
I had a Betta fish who died yesterday and, I would like to know how I can disinfect the fishtank that I had him in. It is a three gallon tank made out of plastic. I washed the crud out of it with dish soap and water, but I feel like I have to use more. What can I do? This thing also has a built in light on the lid and a filtration system, with my having to rinse off the filter once a week and replace it once a month. Advice would be appreciated.

 

[Tolak]

I part bleach to 20 parts water. Rinse well with tap water afterwards & let it dry.

 

[coloradogirl]

Thanks for the advice. I was told by my goldfish fanatic friend that you don't want to use bleach, but I guess you do. Before the fish died, I had a case of black algae in the tank, and I had to scrub the heck out of it, buy a new plant, and scrub the little bridge that I had bought for him in the beginning. I hope I don't go through anything like that, again.

 

[Tolak]

I got tired of people flipping out about bleach a while back;

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

I use it on everything, from nets to angel fry tanks. As long as you remember it's a chlorine product, you won't have a problem.

 

[wodesorel]

Just be careful with what you used soap on - just a little bit of residue can seriously harm a fish.

I've used bleach in much higher concentrations that 1:20. I just make sure to rinse well, soak it in a bucket with lots of extra water conditioner (bleach = chlorine), and then let it air dry very well for a few days. Never had a problem.

 

[coloradogirl]

Thank you for the advice. I washed it with soap and water, but during this weekend, I am going to bleach the tank again along with everything else, so if there is some remaining soap left behind that I do not see, it will get washed out when I clean the tank again. I had a horrible case of black algae with my first Betta fish. I had to disinfect the tank, do a MAJOR scrub down. It was horrible. I cleaned out the little three gallon tank, scrubbed the little bridge my first Betta liked to hide under, bought a new plant, as well as new gravel. I remember having to let the tank sit out for several days afterwards to get it to air everything out. I hope nobody goes through having algae in the tank. It's not a fun experience, let me tell you.

 

[kimmers318]

I agree with disinfecting with bleach....it is cheap, easy to use, and safe. If you are at all worried about the chlorine, a water conditioner will neutralize it. Whenever I have to clean decor with bleach I just put it into a gallon of tap water with dechlorinator in it to neutralize any chlorine I may have missed rinsing, then I can plop them right back into the tank!

 

[coloradogirl]

Thanks for the advice, kimmers 318. I will try that.