Quick Question about Tank Transfer and Cleaning.

[Kurkis493]

Got a Black tang and a couple other fish over the weekend. On day 1 in QT they were scratching alot. I didn't see any signs of the parasite but to take no chances, I started up tank transfer.

I bought 4x 36x16x12 clear rubbermaids that were on sale at Target for $15.00 ea (will store these for the future) so I can use a new one each transfer...

Tomorrow I switch things over to the 2nd system. That leaves me with needing to clean my heater, powerhead, pvc pieces from the 1st system...

I've read alot of people using bleach... Can I not just take some hot water / vinegar and a tooth brush and scrub things down and let them sit dry for a few days? The thought of using bleach just scares me... I usually just use vinegar.

Also, I am using BIO-Spira to combat ammonia... Is there a better option? I bought 4 big bottles and planned to use 1/2 a bottle per tank. Each bottle is good for 75 gallons.

 

[NTP66]

Many others have done that (washed without bleach and let air dry), so I see no reason why it wouldn't work for you. I personally used bleach and had no issues. You just have to rinse well, is all. I really don't think you need BioSpira during TT, either. The fish are in the tanks for such a short period that it won't matter much, and Prime should handle any ammonia that may appear (get some ammonia alert badges if you're really that worried).

I did, however, use BioSpira in my QT after TT was finished, and like the product. Same goes for Dr. Tim's, which I used in my DT.

 

[Kurkis493]

I bought 4 ammonia alert badges and I don't have any Prime... I'll grab some of that today. I am perhaps being safe than sorry based on what is being cared for.

Can I just dump a cap full of clean in a little bucket of water and go to town?

I don't wanna kill my fish because I used bleach is all.

 

[NTP66]

That's exactly what I did - cap of bleach, wash, and then rinse well. There was always a day left for drying, too. Here was my schedule from the last time I did TT:

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> 3/19 (Day 1) - Put the fish in Tank A. Empty, clean (with bleach), and dry 29g QT
3/21 (Day 3) - Get Tank B ready with NSW
3/22 (Day 4) - Transfer fish to Tank B, which is temp and salinity matched
3/23 (Day 5) - Empty, clean (with bleach), and dry Tank A and all equipment
3/24 (Day 6) - Get Tank A ready with NSW
3/25 (Day 7) - Transfer fish to Tank A, which has been cleaned, and is temp and salinity matched
3/26 (Day 8) - Empty, clean (with bleach), and dry Tank B and all equipment
3/27 (Day 9) - Get Tank B ready with NSW
3/28 (Day 10) - Transfer fish to Tank B, which is temp and salinity matched
3/29 (Day 11) - Empty, clean (with bleach), and dry Tank A and all equipment - put in storage
3/31 (Day 13) - Transfer fish to 29g QT - end of Tank Transfer!
3/31 (Day 13) - Empty, clean (with bleach), and dry Tank B and all equipment - put in storage

 

[enjetek]

I believe if you let bleach, for me I used colorox, dry out completely doesn't it leave just normal salt? That is why you should be fine as long as you let it dry. I'm pretty sure it's true and it even says that on their site.

 

[snorvich]

I use vinegar with water, rinse with fresh water (tap), I then wipe with bambooee (which is a story in itself) and let air dry. But bleach should be fine too as long as you rinse with fresh water and then air dry.

 

[snorvich]

Oh, and clean any transfer vehicle such as a strainer too.

 

[enjetek]

Bam here is what is on their site:


The bleach cycle - from production to household use to disposal down the drain - is simple. It begins and ends with sodium chloride, common
table salt. We call it the salt-to-salt cycle.


But yes, let it dry

 

[snorvich]

Bam here is what is on their site:


The bleach cycle - from production to household use to disposal down the drain - is simple. It begins and ends with sodium chloride, common
table salt. We call it the salt-to-salt cycle.


But yes, let it dry

I still like to rinse and then let it dry. I am anal.

 

[enjetek]

Oh yes, of course rinse it first. Even I like to rinse my filter socks and then let em dry - there will be that funky strong Clorox smell without the rinse.

 

[Kurkis493]

I'm a little confused with your timeline....

I put my fish in tank A on Tuesday (3/11) at 8:00am.

Am I putting my fish into tank B on Friday (3/14) at 8:00am or Saturday (3/15) at 8:00am?

It the tank transfer 4 calendar days or 4 actual 24 hour periods?

 

[NTP66]

Your first transfer will be Friday, 3/14 (in the morning, always), with the second transfer being on the 17th, etc.

 

[snorvich]

Your first transfer will be Friday, 3/14 (in the morning, always), with the second transfer being on the 17th, etc.

Exactly.