Formalin Question

[Chris155hp]

I saw a couple of post about formalin and i have a quick question. How long does formalin stay in the tank and after it has evaporated off is there anything left in the water that needs to be removed (if yes how) or is all evaporated off (i.e. no binder or any other chemicals left behind). Thanks. Im trying to see if I can use it as a quick way to sterilize pumps from ich brook and velvet as Iheard bleach and vinegar can be in effective?

 

[bertoni]

Vinegar might be ineffective, but a strong bleach solution should to the job. I would pitch the water after the formalin bath, and likely rinse the equipment in a bleach solution, to remove any deposits there might be. That should be safe enough. I don't know how long it'd take for formaldehyde to clear the water. The bleach should be a lot safer, IMO, although it might damage the equipment if over-exposed. Formaldehyde is dangerous.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree go with bleach. Vinegar might work as it is very good at killing bacteria, but bleach will kill anything with sufficient exposure.

 

[Chris155hp]

Thanks for the info guys but just out of curiosity I would like to know how formalin does in water?

 

[disc1]

Formaldehyde is pretty volatile. Once you take the pump or whatever out of the water and let it dry, the formaldehyde should disappear rapidly.

 

[Chris155hp]

Formaldehyde is pretty volatile. Once you take the pump or whatever out of the water and let it dry, the formaldehyde should disappear rapidly.

how about in the water? does it evaporate out of the water leaving the water behind clean?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No, formaldehyde will not evaporate out leaving pure water behind. it will also react to form other compounds as the water evaporates.

 

[Chris155hp]

No, formaldehyde will not evaporate out leaving pure water behind. it will also react to form other compounds as the water evaporates.

how would one remove these residues? carbon?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Rinsing with fresh water.

Bear in mind that medications are designed to be somewhat selective in killing something and saving the host animal. They are not necessarily the best way to kill something. In fact, they almost never would be.

If you are cleaning equipment, you need not use a medication, but rather can use a total killing machine, like bleach.

 

[billsreef]

FYI I've been able to choose from gallons of bleach and gallons of formalin to use for whatever I might need. I'd never use the formalin to sterilize equipment. You really don't want to be breathing the stuff in concentrations needed to quickly sterilize Besides, bleach is also cheaper and far more effective and safer. There are also other options. In the lab I like Iodophore as a dip for disinfecting nets and other small items. Virkon is also good for such use, though it costs a good bit more.