The Puffer Forum

How would I go about sterlyzing my tank that my parasite-ridden puffer died in?

Am i going to need to recycle? How do i make sure it's all clean?

There are several ways of doing it, depending on how long you've been keeping fish and/or how lazy you are. Some are better than and some are easier than others.

1) Break down the tank, empty all the water, boil everything that won't get destroyed by it, and use a light bleach OR oxi-clean solution for those that can't get boiled.
This is what most people do when they are newer and don't want to take chances.

2) Remove removable objects, wash with bleach solution, do 100% water change, perhaps multiple, making sure gravel is clean as possible.

3) Leave it empty for several weeks/months understanding whatever parasite/bug it was can't survive without host animals.


I tend towards #2 myself, but don't always do the same thing depending on why I'm breaking/cleaning the tank.

A few things to keep in mind:

No creature on earth can survive boiling in water. Some are close, but we don't have to worry about deepsea volcanic vent bacteria here.

Bleach or Oxi-clean are a few of the recommended cleaners, and even then make sure its a LIGHT solution and rinse -extremely- well. Make sure its plain ol' bleach, no smelly stuff, no funky new chemicals for clothes. Just bleach.

Any type of soap has a chance of leaving a deadly residue, and should be avoided. If (other than oxi-clean) it makes bubbles, don't use it.

I use OxiClean myself, as it rinses away much more easily than bleach with no harmful residues.

Yes, you will have to recycle the tank from scratch.

I use OxiClean and/or boiling most of the time. Occassionally, I have a situation that calls for bleach warfare, but not often.

triple dose of formulin and sitting for a month with just a heater at 95 degrees cooks the bacteria and wipes it out without risking the bleach chlorine probs that arise without a eryh good washing and anti clorine conditioner, however it does require the tank say up and runing for a month which isnt always a spouse or family tolerate solution

I've used a lemon (organic) and marine mix on impermable tank stuff before...cut the lemon in half, and use it to scrub with the salt...no residues, no bugs.
Boil the gravel for sure though...it'll stink, but.....
Pami.

I like to clean aquarium equipment with vinegar. However, I've had a really bad experience with Vibrio so that stuff gets bleach!