Clean taken down tank

[jameson_uk]

I bought a hospital tank some time ago and got a sponge filter, heater etc. When a few fish were suffering with columnaris. Those fish either pulled through or didn't make it but due to the arrival of my daughter the tank got drained and left.

How should I go about cleaning it for use again? I have read that baby steriliser is good? (Guess this is just weak bleach?). What about making it safe to use again? Would I be better off just getting a new sponge filter?

 

[Zeus.]

I used Milton's beach to soak all my DW and rocks in when I got them.
Even though Milton's would be great for disinfecting most hardware, for the cost of the sponge I think I would get a new one.

Sent from Mountolympus via neural interface

 

[Scorpio1646]

Interesting post.

Lots of confusion generally surrounding Milton Fluid. I set up Milton BabyCare in the UK and I can categorically state that although Milton Fluid smells like bleach it is NOT bleach and is completely safe for cleaning fish tanks and associated aquatic equipment.
Milton Fluid is made of an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite and 16.5% sodium chloride. The Milton Fluid in the UK has a strength of 2% sodium hypochlorite. What makes Milton Fluid different from bleach is the purification process during manufacture which ensures complete removal of all heavy metal ions which would normally act as a catalyst to chemically break down hypochlorites causing instability.
With the heavy ions removed, Milton Fluid decomposes into water and a small amount of sodium chloride (salt).

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

How should I go about cleaning it for use again?

You can clean it with Milton's solution. You can remove any traces of chlorine with a dechlorinator, or by leaving the kit outside (ideally in the sunlight).

cheers Darrel