How to remove bleach?

[mhmh]

:confused: Will chlorine remover also remove bleach? I soak my rocks and plastic plants in a weak bleach solution monthly to clean them. Then I spend a loooooooooong time rinsing.

I've read here and there that chlorine remover will work, but I'd really like to hear it from an authoritative source. Any chemists out there?

[OrionGirl]

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question189.htm

Check this link out--might help. You could easily just let the soaked items sit a day or two and any remaining chlorine would dissapate.

I don't recommend using bleach on porous tiems, simply because it'a s pain to make sure you're REALLY rinsed it well enough for immediate use.

[wetmanNY]

The only time I use bleach in connection with aquaria is to remove algae off plant leaves. A two-minute dip in a 1:20 solution.

To dechlorinate afterwards, I use a few drops of dechlorinator in the final rinse: sodium thiosulfate.

[Cichlid Woman]

How about using old tank water and an aquarium-dedicated toothbrush instead? Or is the algae really stubborn? (It doesn't seem like you should have to remove and soak your stuff once a month ...)?

-- Pat

[mhmh]

It's not that the algae is particularly stubborn, I just like everything to look pristine, at least for a few weeks after I clean it. I have some white rocks and some plastic plants with white flowers, and after about three weeks, I really notice the algae.

Is my tank unusual? :confused: Does everyone else have less algae than I do? It's just a thin green coating on things in the tank.

I python the gravel (I use UGF) every two weeks, removing about 30 gallons of water out of 90. Every second water change/vacuum, the decorations come out and get cleaned. I read about someone who loosely ties their plastic plants together and puts them, along with their rocks, in the top rack of the dishwasher for a cycle without detergent and without a heated dry cycle. I think I'll try that this weekend.

[redrf900]

after soaking the tank "chatchkas" in weak bleach solution in the tub for a few hours, I drain the water...let the shower run for a few minutes.
I then fill the tub back up half way and put some dechlorinator goo in .
let it sit for a day and you're golden....
everything comes out like BRAND NEW!!!!my loaches havn't complained yet!!!!;-)

[Tightdog1]

i used to use bleach then some of my fish died i think from the bleach so i went to cleaning manually with boiling hot water, and thats works good, i clean everything in the hot water the tank, filters, rocks, decor, etc.

[Sumpin'fishy]

Man, it's amazing what people go through to clean their tanks. I personally like a little natural algae on rocks and such. I wipe it off the glass when it gets noticable. I leave it on the rear glass so my Pleco will always have plenty to eat. All I do with my equipment (like heater, filters, etc.) is wipe them off with a sponge (sponge with the green scrubber pad on one side) or rinse them under the tap with just water. When I clean my HOB every month, I take it all apart and clean it with hot tap water and my hand or the sponge (used for aquariums only). I can't believe that some of your decor or equipment gets so bad that you need bleach. Mine wipes right off!

[mhmh]

Originally posted by redrf900
after soaking the tank "chatchkas" in weak bleach solution in the tub for a few hours, I drain the water...let the shower run for a few minutes.
I then fill the tub back up half way and put some dechlorinator goo in .
let it sit for a day and you're golden....

redrf900, does that mean you have to take a bath/shower with your tank's decorations or that you don't bathe when you're cleaning the tank? :D
LOL

[beviking]

I'm with Sumpin'fishy on this. Everything except the pleco - don't have one. But to each his own. If you want that "pristine" look, go for it!

[redrf900]

I take a bath "once a month" whether I need it or not!! ;-)
I use the guest bath, for washing/rinsing the tank "chatchkas".
master bath is only a shower stall thingy anyway... ;-)