Will using bleach to clean aquarium products kill fish?

ralphie16 · 05/15/2007, 11:54 AM

I used bleach to clean out a tank that I wanted to use for QT as well as the power filter, heaters, etc.

I have since had my first two fish deaths in this tank.

Did I commit an immense mistake sing bleach?

I think I already know the answer..... :-(

Should I throw everything out or is anything salvagable?

Travis L. Stevens · 05/15/2007, 12:05 PM

If you washed it out after bleaching? Really good? It shouldn't have harmed anything.

rickh · 05/15/2007, 12:15 PM

I use bleach to clean my filter socks. I rinse with water and soak it overnight in water + aquarium dechlorinator. R

ralphie16 · 05/15/2007, 12:18 PM

my lfs recommended i run a dechlorinator for a few days, empty out the tank and refill new new water

sound like a good plan?

RichConley · 05/15/2007, 12:25 PM

Bleach is just cholorine. It'll evaporate after a couple days.

Just give it a rinse to be safe. I really doubt your issues had anything to do with the bleach.

Its honestly probably the safest strong cleaner you can use on equipment.

ralphie16 · 05/15/2007, 12:40 PM

thanks for the help guys

now that thats solved a little off topic a bit:
richconley thats some crazy flow you got there...coming close to my tank's flow ;-)

you have some pics of your tank?

navipro1 · 05/15/2007, 02:22 PM

You can use bleach to clean / disinfect your stuff as long as you rinse it good and let it soak in clean water for a few days afterwards, you can also help speed up the process by using a declorinator sold at your LFS.

thrillreefer · 05/15/2007, 02:55 PM

I used to work in a saltwater fish store. We bleached the coral skeletons/etc. that were used to make caves for the fish every 2 weeks or so. We'd bleach them for several hours and then add fresh water and a dechlorinator, and then run that for a few more hours, and put them back in with the fish the same day. Never seemed to bother them.

I'm not sure exactly which chemical we used for dechlorination, but I remember the bag said something about photography, so maybe they use it in developing.

Bottom line: the rule of thumb is that if you rinse and dechlorinate, and can no longer smell the bleach, you are almost certainly safe.

05/15/2007, 11:54 AM	#1
ralphie16 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,550	Will using bleach to clean aquarium products kill fish? I used bleach to clean out a tank that I wanted to use for QT as well as the power filter, heaters, etc. I have since had my first two fish deaths in this tank. Did I commit an immense mistake sing bleach? I think I already know the answer..... :-( Should I throw everything out or is anything salvagable?

05/15/2007, 12:05 PM	#2
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	If you washed it out after bleaching? Really good? It shouldn't have harmed anything. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

05/15/2007, 12:25 PM	#5
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Bleach is just cholorine. It'll evaporate after a couple days. Just give it a rinse to be safe. I really doubt your issues had anything to do with the bleach. Its honestly probably the safest strong cleaner you can use on equipment. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

05/15/2007, 02:22 PM	#7
navipro1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: sac, CA Posts: 335	You can use bleach to clean / disinfect your stuff as long as you rinse it good and let it soak in clean water for a few days afterwards, you can also help speed up the process by using a declorinator sold at your LFS. __________________ I don't know nothing. Current Tank Info: Reef/Fish= $$ pit---just fill her up with everything but copper.

05/15/2007, 12:15 PM	#3
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	I use bleach to clean my filter socks. I rinse with water and soak it overnight in water + aquarium dechlorinator. R

05/15/2007, 12:18 PM	#4
ralphie16 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,550	my lfs recommended i run a dechlorinator for a few days, empty out the tank and refill new new water sound like a good plan?

05/15/2007, 12:40 PM	#6
ralphie16 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,550	thanks for the help guys now that thats solved a little off topic a bit: richconley thats some crazy flow you got there...coming close to my tank's flow ;-) you have some pics of your tank?

05/15/2007, 02:55 PM	#8
thrillreefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 308	I used to work in a saltwater fish store. We bleached the coral skeletons/etc. that were used to make caves for the fish every 2 weeks or so. We'd bleach them for several hours and then add fresh water and a dechlorinator, and then run that for a few more hours, and put them back in with the fish the same day. Never seemed to bother them. I'm not sure exactly which chemical we used for dechlorination, but I remember the bag said something about photography, so maybe they use it in developing. Bottom line: the rule of thumb is that if you rinse and dechlorinate, and can no longer smell the bleach, you are almost certainly safe.