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  • Results 1 to 12 of 12

    Thread: How to clean QT Tank

    1. #1
      bdel01's Avatar
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      How to clean QT Tank

      Curious, how would someone clean a tank such as pearls of paradise, dream pond & intex after extended QT of fish? some bacteria clearly grows on the walls....

      I personally own an intex

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    2. #2
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      Is there a specific reason "why" you'd want to clean it that thoroughly?
      Mike

      check out our website at: http://www.pond-life.net




      "Our goal is to assist with emergency and Koi health issues, as well as educate on best practices. Please help us gain a clear picture by giving the original poster time to answer our questions before offering opinions and suggested treatments."

    3. #3
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      Drain and hose down tank, put in 20 gallons water and 2 gallons bleach, clean with a mop, drain and rinse, towell dry if in a hurry. Do not store unless completely dry.
      Last edited by BWG; 05-18-2014 at 10:42 AM.

    4. #4
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      I used "Simple Green" (non-toxic) to clean my qt for shut down last fall. It worked very well
      Vicki


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    5. #5
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      One up on simple green use it for cleaning the horses waters
      Well I messed that one up
      BULKHEAD Y U NO WORK



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    6. #6
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      From the Simple Green website Q & A:

      Disinfectant — Is Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner a disinfectant?
      No. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is non-toxic and is not able to kill germs


      Simple Green makes other products that work as a disinfectant but the main product marketed as Simple Green is not one of them. If you want to clean and disinfect a QT tank use something else.

    7. #7
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      I was thinking of cleaning with PP

    8. #8
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      PP is nasty stuff that stains everything and requires more precautions to work with safely. Go with bleach. Cheap and easy to rinse and once dry no residual residue. Not a more effective disinfectant cleaner made for the price.
      Last edited by BWG; 05-18-2014 at 12:25 PM.

    9. #9
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      I use Ology and Vinegar and water. I also use soap and bleach but not if Im adding fish right away.
      Member of KOI Clubs. Owner of KrazyKoiFish in the works


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    10. #10
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      One thing that was learned during tear down of a koi show - using bleach on the plastic used to make these tanks, unless COMPLETELY removed, will cause the material to become brittle and can cause cracking. Just make sure you rinse/wipe down THOROUGHLY!
      Mike

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    11. #11
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      I would avoid soap, detergent, and simple green, because they can leave residue that is difficult to remove, and they are not that effective at killing bacteria or parasite eggs.

      I agree that bleach at high concentrations can damage the plastic, but high concentrations are not needed to kill the fish pathogens, and it is easy to neutralize the bleach with sodium thiosulfate. 12 oz of Clorox per 1 gallon of water is all that you need. Mop this solution over the surface of the tank, rinse well, then add a gallon of water with about a teaspoon full of ST crystals and sponge the surface with the ST solution, and then dry. You do not have to worry about residual chlorine harming the fish or the plastic. In fact, the ST is probably overkill, but it provides peace of mind. 66 grams of ST crystals would be enough to neutralize all of the Clorox that you had added, but almost all of the Clorox is already gone after you dump the original solution and do the first rinse.

      Salt at a saturated solution (a concentration so high no more salt will dissolve) is also safe and effective. Just be careful where you dump the brine, because at those concentrations, salt will kill the grass and any other plant.

      Desiccation is also effective against the fish pathogens we are concerned about, so if you are not planning to use the tank for a while, just make sure it is mechanically clean (wipe it down with a sponge and tap water), dry it, and store it dry.

    12. #12
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      Ive noticed that the intex easy set pools aren't really made for numerous set up and dismantles… in my experience. I've owned 2 easy sets and 1 metal frame… All 3 leaked from the seams.The metal frame didn't make the move to the new house as planned and I chalked it up to improper moving. The first easy set I contacted intex about and they replaced it bc I was within 15 days of purchase… luckily the leak was slow and manageable at first so I just soaked up with towels and replaced the towels weekly but over time the leak got worse… The replacement pool also leaked/leaks, unfortunately by the time I set it up I was well outside of any warranty... same deal though; manageable but it has days when its worse… almost seems temperature dependent.

      Sorry to get so far off track, but Ive found that a weekly vacuuming of the pool with a pool hose, keeps the buildup of crud down and the floor clean. I'd say the best thing may be the salt solution but I'd also worry that the salt would dry or make the material weak as these pools aren't designed for saltwater use. They also don't seem to be the toughest in the industry (the easy set versions at least) but they are very affordable so its easy to keep a few on hand. Also keep in mind that they are designed to hold chlorinated water so maybe the chlorine won't be too bad on it. The metal frame pool I used to own was actually used as a swimming pool and I used bromine in it without any issue until i dismantled and set it back up. SO maybe the material is more resilient when it comes to chemicals.

      Again Ive never had one survive the dismantle process for some reason

      But many others have so maybe its just me.
      Last edited by Redman8102; 05-19-2014 at 10:40 AM.

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