will bleach harm my pumps/aquarium components

[toonces]

hey all,
i'm breaking down my aquariums. i have them empty, but there's residual goo in there, some algae, sump criters, etc.

if i put a bit of bleach in the aquarium water to sterilize everything, leaving my pumps and plumbing running, will the bleach harm the insides of my pumps, seals, powerheads, etc.?

thanks,
toonces

 

[schristi69]

bleach is bad on rubber. Use a vinegar/water solution. i cup per 1 gallon. When done, drain and spray with a bleach/water solution and wipe down

 

[vanmo92]

If you (or anyone else) ever plans on putting living things in there again it will likely kill them if you use bleach. vinigar would be better.

 

[MCary]

Vanmo, bleach dissapates into the atmosphere as chlorine gas rather rapidly and leaves no real residue. Cleaning equipment with bleach to kill algae and mold is okay.

 

[roons]

i wouldnt chance it, regardless of who says what, vinegar and water will clean it as much as it needs to be cleaned, your just going to cycle again next time , why sterilize it?

i run all my ph and pumps once every 3 months for 6 hours in 50/50 vinegar water to break down calcium buildup

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8019479#post8019479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanmo92
If you (or anyone else) ever plans on putting living things in there again it will likely kill them if you use bleach. vinigar would be better.

Bold Statement!

I can assure you if you clean with bleach and then rinse the equipment out with water, then let it dry you will be just fine. Any Free Halogen (bleach) will dissipate very fast, especially when it dries.

I add bleach to my system every once and a while to increase the ORP.

just my 2 cents!

 

[roons]

you add bleach to your reef tank to increase the orp? i use ozone , ive never heard of that one.................

 

[xDave]

Although bleach does disapate quickly, it can be rough on some rubber. You'll need to run clean water through it to rinse all the bleach out.

 

[chucksta1]

Bleach = ozone re orp? Randy! where are ya sir?

I would like to be enlightened on the chemistry of that....

 

[bstone]

Ozone is an oxidizer, just like bleach. Ozone is much more harmfull then bleach though. And a much stronger oxidizer.

ORP increases as you increase the oxidizer you are feeding. Whether it be bleach or ozone. Now, I am not saying I add bleach all the time every day, but a little here and there. Plus I clean my filter socks in heavy bleach. Have been doing it for years.

 

[toonces]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8019479#post8019479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanmo92
If you (or anyone else) ever plans on putting living things in there again it will likely kill them if you use bleach. vinigar would be better.

hey guys,
thanks for the inputs. i knew this statement was false...plain chlorine bleach does dissipate or can be removed with dechlorinator.

mostly i am worried about the effect it would have on the powerhead and pump components. i know chlorine will deteriorate the rubber.

at any rate, i elected to drain the tank and use vinegar and water after all.

as for the "why?", if you've ever drained an aquarium that has had stuff in it for a year or two, it is hard to completely get that funky smell out of it, and i'm showing my house to potential buyers. i need it completely sterilized for the smell, and because it will be in transit for the next few months to my next duty station.