Sterilizing tools and equipment

Mr. Brooks · 09/18/2015, 01:32 AM

I'm the new owner of some AEFW infected coral. I have everything in a separate QT currently awaiting treatment. I would like to sterilize all equipment daily (testing vials etc.) to avoid cross contamination. What should I use as a disinfectant? Bleach? Vinegar? Alcohol?

Windy2 · 09/18/2015, 07:36 AM

Aefw????

billsreef · 09/18/2015, 08:04 AM

For flatworms, a simple fresh water soak will kill them. For disinfecting, a light bleach solution, iodine dip, peroxide all work and are readily available.

tmz · 09/18/2015, 09:11 AM

Aefw refers to acro eating flat worms, a common problem with acropora species.

Mr. Brooks · 09/18/2015, 11:18 AM

The tank that these corals came from also had aptasia, asterina starfish and God know what else. When you say peroxide you mean hydrogen peroxide? I have a bunch of bleach on hand but I'm concerned about residue inside the tiny vials.

Sk8r · 09/18/2015, 11:25 AM

Followed by a soak in Prime-laced water, which removes chlorine. Hydrogen peroxide, otoh, is safe---sort of like vinegar. ANything soaked in it will bubble for a while in the tank, and you don't want delicate corals near such an object, but it's not a threat to the tank as a whole.

Mr. Brooks · 09/18/2015, 12:11 PM

Thank you!

09/18/2015, 01:32 AM	#1
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	Sterilizing tools and equipment I'm the new owner of some AEFW infected coral. I have everything in a separate QT currently awaiting treatment. I would like to sterilize all equipment daily (testing vials etc.) to avoid cross contamination. What should I use as a disinfectant? Bleach? Vinegar? Alcohol?

09/18/2015, 08:04 AM	#3
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	For flatworms, a simple fresh water soak will kill them. For disinfecting, a light bleach solution, iodine dip, peroxide all work and are readily available. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

09/18/2015, 09:11 AM	#4
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Aefw refers to acro eating flat worms, a common problem with acropora species. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

09/18/2015, 11:25 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Followed by a soak in Prime-laced water, which removes chlorine. Hydrogen peroxide, otoh, is safe---sort of like vinegar. ANything soaked in it will bubble for a while in the tank, and you don't want delicate corals near such an object, but it's not a threat to the tank as a whole. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/18/2015, 07:36 AM	#2
Windy2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Washington Posts: 257	Aefw????

09/18/2015, 11:18 AM	#5
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	The tank that these corals came from also had aptasia, asterina starfish and God know what else. When you say peroxide you mean hydrogen peroxide? I have a bunch of bleach on hand but I'm concerned about residue inside the tiny vials.

09/18/2015, 12:11 PM	#7
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	Thank you!