Can I microwave my pvc elbows to kill parasites?
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you don't worry about all that crap getting on your other dishes? just wondering and learning..
ThRoewer
New member
What crap?
I would worry more about the crap from the dishes getting on the aquarium stuff.
In any case the PVC should be cleaned before sterilization. I usually clean equipment roughly and then dump it into a container with bleach. That usually makes it look shiny and new. After that I usually wash it again and let it dry, but running it through the dishwasher should also work for non electrical components.
I would worry more about the crap from the dishes getting on the aquarium stuff.
In any case the PVC should be cleaned before sterilization. I usually clean equipment roughly and then dump it into a container with bleach. That usually makes it look shiny and new. After that I usually wash it again and let it dry, but running it through the dishwasher should also work for non electrical components.
lol.. i dunno..just stuff.. but i get you.
A rough cleaning would fix all that you're right and dishwasher it goes!.. Thanks !
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
Personally, if I was running it in the dishwasher I would run the aquarium items in a load by themselves without detergent.
I have run PVC elbows in the dryer on medium heat (on a rack) to sterilize as well.
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I have run PVC elbows in the dryer on medium heat (on a rack) to sterilize as well.
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Paul B
Premium Member
Microwaving is not a good option. Microwaves are emitted in waves and would not cover things evenly in a microwave. My wife once was microwaving some greens from the garden and we noticed a caterpillar walking around in the microwave. I removed it but I assume eventually it would have gotten nuked by a wave. If a caterpillar can survive, I am sure so can parasites.
mav3rick478
Premium Member
Why not use a baby bottle sterilizer in the microwave, I would think that would be your best bet. It keeps the elbows contained and doses a hell of a job killing everything.
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jbvdhp
Active member
Actually...
Microwaving is a great way to kill microbes, but things have to be damp/wet.
Microbiology taught me to microwave the pot scrubbers/scouring pads/dish sponges for 2 minutes while damp. I still do that until today.
So not sure why people are saying not too. Microwaves work by vibrating water molecules so if the parasites have water molecules in them, which they do, then they get nuked.
Ps... I've microwaved pvc parts in a bowl of water, boiled them, haven't used the dishwasher yet but I assume boiling is more effective- yet it could distort the plastic (it has)
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Microwaving is a great way to kill microbes, but things have to be damp/wet.
Microbiology taught me to microwave the pot scrubbers/scouring pads/dish sponges for 2 minutes while damp. I still do that until today.
So not sure why people are saying not too. Microwaves work by vibrating water molecules so if the parasites have water molecules in them, which they do, then they get nuked.
Ps... I've microwaved pvc parts in a bowl of water, boiled them, haven't used the dishwasher yet but I assume boiling is more effective- yet it could distort the plastic (it has)
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mav3rick478
Premium Member
That's why I suggested a baby bottle sterilizer to the OP.
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MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
i dump a bunch of bleach in my TTM tank (after the fish is removed, of course) and let it soak for 8 - 10 hours, then pull the pvc and heater out, rinse them off in tap water, dry with a paper towel, then let them air dry for at least 24 hours before re-use.
personally i wouldn't want nasty fish stuff in my dishwasher that is dripping with prazi and god knows what else, and certainly wouldn't want soap or anything leftover from the dishwasher getting on my fish stuff.
personally i wouldn't want nasty fish stuff in my dishwasher that is dripping with prazi and god knows what else, and certainly wouldn't want soap or anything leftover from the dishwasher getting on my fish stuff.
ThRoewer
New member
I'm saying no to microwaves because I ruined several of my small acrylic tanks in it. Thermoplastics like acrylic and PVC start deforming at 70° C, an you get over that in an instant. Glass and ceramic is fine, but I wouldn't try to sterilize plastic parts in it anymore.
I usually just soak my equipment in bleach and then wash it.
But the dishwasher works well too. It gets hot enough to kill protozoan cysts and most bacteria, but not hot enough to damage most plastics.
I dunno, I was just thinking that if I had a few elbows or pvc parts I could just wash them in hot/soap water in the sink and while they were still wet toss them into the microwave. It would dry them and sterilize them at the same time. I guess sponges/towels and things that will impart steam would probably be best in the microwave, but maybe the hard plastics would not.
jbvdhp
Active member
Yup, I've boiled PVC and it warped quickly.
I've done short bursts of microwave for PVC, 20-30 seconds but I find air drying is simplest.
ThRoewer
New member
That's flat out wrong. Who told you that?
Cryptocaryon cysts can handle freshwater quite well for a good while. Other pathogens can live in fresh or saltwater.
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
18 hours. Apparently.
"Studies have shown that*Cryptocaryon*cysts, which are known as trophonts, can withstand short-term exposure to low salinities. In fact, they can survive in freshwater for up to 18 hours"
http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/disease-prevention/salt-in-fresh.aspx
I usually go with bleach water soak for about 8 - 10 hours, time permitting, and always at least 24 hour air dry time.
