How to safely and fastly disinfect a QT

[JHemdal]

hottuna,

I agree that hydrogen peroxide leaves less of a residue than bleach, however its efficacy as a tank disinfectant hasn't been worked out (as far as I've heard).
The gold standard is bleach at a 1:10 dilution for 10 to 30 minutes (so a .525% sodium hypochlorite solution). No doubt there is a similar mechanism & dose for hydrogen peroxide, but I don't know what it is. It will be higher - 2ppm chlorine is fatal to fish, while many fish can tolerate up to 15ppm H2O2 - and I expect a corresponding difference in disease organism tolerances as well.
The key is to find a dose that will kill the most tolerant disease organism, which is probably trematode eggs.

Jay

 

[SDguy]

Can't you just throw in some dechlorinator after the bleach if there is concern?

 

[hottuna]

Jay: I usually use it straight...empty all tank water and dump in one full buttle of hydrogen peroxide,scrub all surfaces clean...and rinse...never had a problem with recurring infestations this way...

 

[gp2]

Not to hijack this thread...but what about the nets you used for the infected fish? How does one disinfect them?

 

[JHemdal]

We use bleach at 1:10 for net dips, soak for ten to twenty minute,s then rinse well and air dry.

Jay

 

[Prez1]

Just another thing I have read about the ammonia removers is they can reduce the O2 levels in a tank. Not certain if that could have been part of the blame but thought I'd throw that out there.

IMO, if you are concerned with what chemicals you are using on the tank/equipment to clean them--- don't bother using any. If you do not plan using the tank/equipment for an extended period of time, like over a week or more, just put them aside on a enclosed porch and let them completely dry out. Since it's hot and dry there it should kill anything that could be left.

 

[steelhead77]

OMG people! Hydrogen peroxide this, bleach that! Just let the tank dry out for a week. EVERYTHING will be dead! Why risk anything with any kind of chemical?

Once again, why must we make things more difficult than they need to be?

 

[JHemdal]

steelhead77,

"Everything" is a pretty strong word to use in this case.

Where are your references that Neobendenia eggs and Mycobacterium marinum are killed by air-drying? What about Myxosporideans?

Jay