proper disposal of contaminated fish tank water

[pinklily]

I would like to know the proper way to dispose of water from a rather large aquarium (40-50 gallons) if it's suspected of being contaminated with a bacteria causing internal parasites or fish tuberculosis. I've been doing a little research, and while some articles warn of the importance of disinfection with bleach or alcohol, I haven't been able to find what should be done with all that remaining water, especially since fish TB is transmittable to the aquarist.

Thanks

 

[wooden_reefer]

I would like to know the proper way to dispose of water from a rather large aquarium (40-50 gallons) if it's suspected of being contaminated with a bacteria causing internal parasites or fish tuberculosis. I've been doing a little research, and while some articles warn of the importance of disinfection with bleach or alcohol, I haven't been able to find what should be done with all that remaining water, especially since fish TB is transmittable to the aquarist.

Thanks

I disinfect when there has been a disease that was not cured. I do so for the health of future livestock, not as a public concern.

 

[RegalAngel]

If you have public sewer service you can pour it down the toilet. Public wastewater treatment facilities will treat incoming water with chlorine during the treatment process and any bacteria are killed.

 

[pinklily]

So.... you're saying.... disinfect an empty tank that will not be in use again? My main conern other than the environment, is in not spreading a possible bacterial infection to anyone in our home, such as an elderly patent with a lowered immune system. I can't bank on "curing" the contaminated aquarium water by throwing some "possible" treatments in it.

 

[pinklily]

If you have public sewer service you can pour it down the toilet. Public wastewater treatment facilities will treat incoming water with chlorine during the treatment process and any bacteria are killed.

Thank you, RegalAngel..... that makes sense. I'm new to salt water, so here's another question...

the salt concentration shouldn't do any damage to the toilet or the tanks?

 

[scrombussquared]

I'm a little confused as to exactly what you wanna do here- are you going to reuse the tank? If you are, dump the water down the toilet as suggested earlier. The poster was correct in that all municipal wastewater is treated to kill all pathogens. Then scrub the tank with a strong solution of chlorine bleach and water.Don't forget to sanitize all your equipment that you had on the infected tank. Chlorine is not a "possible treatment- in high enough concentrations it will kill everything. No, the saltwater will not damage your toilet or plumbing.

 

[pinklily]

I'm a little confused as to exactly what you wanna do here- are you going to reuse the tank? If you are, dump the water down the toilet as suggested earlier. The poster was correct in that all municipal wastewater is treated to kill all pathogens. Then scrub the tank with a strong solution of chlorine bleach and water.Don't forget to sanitize all your equipment that you had on the infected tank. Chlorine is not a "possible treatment- in high enough concentrations it will kill everything. No, the saltwater will not damage your toilet or plumbing.

No, not planning on using this tank again, at least not anytime in the near future.

 

[Lobb4920]

Pour the water in the back yard and don't get near it till it dries. That is what I would do wrong or right.

 

[KingwoodMarcia]

I dump my in the back yard. Being salt water though, it can kill the grass. There is a lot worse that is dumped in the public sewer than you tank water.