What are? [Archive] - Aquaria Central

vidiots

10-09-2006, 3:59 PM

I don't thin there are any test kits for detergents beyond chlorine and ammonia.
Did you clean your tank with detergent? or Are you wondering about a used tank? If in doubt you might wanna try rinsing it very thouroughly multiple times.

mtiller

10-09-2006, 4:29 PM

i always clean my tanks with detergent, but i rinse them out multiple times. not only that, but i wash them with a wet rag, and then continue to rinse just to be on the safe side.

plah831

10-09-2006, 5:16 PM

I think the best sign of detergent would be bubbles or foam, as a result of the soaps in detergents. Another sign would be fish dying. Fish are very sensitive to soaps and one should never use soap or detergent of any kind to clean aquariums or decorations. A better bet is to use dilute bleach (1 part bleach to 20 parts water) on things that can be removed like decorations, or on an empty tank. Then rinse copiously with tap water until the smell is gone. To be safe, add extra dechlorinator into the tank when it is full, because bleach is just a concentrated chlorine compound that will be neutralized by the tap water conditioner.

CaptnDan

10-09-2006, 5:17 PM

You could drain about 25% of the water out, then pick it up and shake it vigorously... Be sure the lid is on tight. If you see suds... :joke:

There aren't really any tests for it. I guess you could put some water in a jar that is known to be free of soaps and shake it. Suds would tell you there were detergents - but I think there would have to be a lot in there to do that...

In the end - If in doubt, rinse it out.

CaptnDan

10-09-2006, 5:21 PM

Fish are very sensitive to soaps and one should never use soap or detergent of any kind to clean aquariums or decorations.Along those lines, don't try to put anything on the dishwasher either, thinking the heat will sterilize it...

Most dishwasher detergents have something in them to help prevent water spots, like Jet-Dri. It leaves a coating behind that water doesn't stick to, but it will dissolve in water. If you read a box of Jet-Dri it says it is harmful if ingested. Imagine the effect on fish...

SirWired

10-09-2006, 5:22 PM

When I was taking high school chemistry, the way we verified glassware was rinsed completely after using detergent was to squirt some deionized water on the glassware. If any of the water "stuck", more rinsing needed to be done. I suspect distilled would work here also. Of course, this isn't gonna work for decorations.

SirWired

plah831

10-09-2006, 5:23 PM

Along those lines, don't try to put anything on the dishwasher either, thinking the heat will sterilize it...

Most dishwasher detergents have something in them to help prevent water spots, like Jet-Dri. It leaves a coating behind that water doesn't stick to, but it will dissolve in water. If you read a box of Jet-Dri it says it is harmful if ingested. Imagine the effect on fish...
ugh, I shudder to think of it.

jm1212

10-09-2006, 5:28 PM

i think the best way to see is what Paula said. fill up the tank and stir up the water and see if there are suds.

if there are, you need to rinse out the tank and everything in it with lots of water and keep rinsing for long periods of time to be safe. when you fill it up again with everything in place, add triple (pr more) doeses of dechlor to help detoxify anything that is left, and then see if you still get suds. if you do... just repeat and repeat lol

plah831

10-09-2006, 5:32 PM

I just wanted to clarify that Oxyclean is not a detergent, as far as I know. I believe it's just powdered hydrogen peroxide and doesn't contain any soaps, so is OK to use on aquaria.

Dangerdoll

10-09-2006, 5:33 PM

i always clean my tanks with detergent, but i rinse them out multiple times. not only that, but i wash them with a wet rag, and then continue to rinse just to be on the safe side.
I'm curious as to why you would "constantly" be cleaning your tanks out with detergents....

plah831

10-09-2006, 5:37 PM

I'm curious as to why you would "constantly" be cleaning your tanks out with detergents....
I noticed that too. I'm hoping he was referring to empty tanks...

Toirtis

10-09-2006, 5:43 PM

I just wanted to clarify that Oxyclean is not a detergent, as far as I know. I believe it's just powdered hydrogen peroxide and doesn't contain any soaps, so is OK to use on aquaria.

Correct.

On a side note...not all foam in an aquarium indicates the presence of a detergent...excess proteins in an aquarium can also cause foaming. A phosphate test can help determine the presence of detergents.

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 5:44 PM

No lol sorry guys i was gone for a couple of hours. About the detergent is what are the signs from the fish if there were any detergent in their water? I don't clean my tanks with detergent and never will think about using detergent. :joke:

jm1212

10-09-2006, 5:48 PM

if there are really high residual concentrations then they'll lay on their backs and float in the water :joke:

no really im serious they wont last very long if you have soap in your water

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 5:52 PM

ok.. thank you very much!!! I have another question. I just added my silver dollar and the tiger barbs to my 55 and my tiger barbs are scare so they go hide but my silver dollar is just playing in the bubbles and being very active. Is there anything wrong with my barbs?

jm1212

10-09-2006, 5:53 PM

how many do you have?

(BTW... THANK YOU SO MUCH for asking simple questions on the thread you already started instead of starting a new one for something you couldve asked while this one was active!!!!! :thm: :thm: you get two thumbs up lol)

plah831

10-09-2006, 5:55 PM

(BTW... THANK YOU SO MUCH for asking simple questions on the thread you already started instead of starting a new one for something you couldve asked while this one was active!!!!! :thm: :thm: you get two thumbs up lol)
actually, I'd prefer if folks started a new thread if it's totally unrelated to the topic on-hand. That way, other people reading the threads will know what info they can expect. It's hard to find answers if they're tucked into threads with unrelated titles, ya know?

But I guess that question was relevant, as it had to do with the bubbles he mentioned.

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 5:56 PM

i have three(planning to get more once my budget can handle it.lol)

and thanks for the thumbs :dance:

jm1212

10-09-2006, 5:59 PM

they are probably hiding because there are only three of them. since you have a good-sized tank, i would get 6 more (not all at once though LOL)

jm1212

10-09-2006, 6:02 PM

actually, I'd prefer if folks started a new thread if it's totally unrelated to the topic on-hand. That way, other people reading the threads will know what info they can expect. It's hard to find answers if they're tucked into threads with unrelated titles, ya know?

But I guess that question was relevant, as it had to do with the bubbles he mentioned.

its just that i was getting a little agitated because a couple of people were posting threads, and then while it was still really active, posting another thread with a question that couldve easily been asked on the origional thread. like if someone has a question about cycling and then they want to know what to put in the tank, i think it would be better for them to ask on the same thread. but if they have a question about their angel, and it gets answered, and then they have a question about their pirannah, they should start a new thread ;)

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 6:04 PM

Thanks!! I knew there had to be something cuz in their 10g they were very active, now they are hiding :look: Poor things! Well should i get 3 one visit to the pet shop or get 2 of them at a time??

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 6:06 PM

jm1212

10-09-2006, 6:09 PM

no its fine, its just a few people were starting uneccesary threads. for this question, it cuoldve gone either way, but if you had a question i.e. about your mothers corydoras, then you shouldve started a new thread

i would get three on your next trip and then wait a week and get three more

CaptnDan

10-09-2006, 6:19 PM

A phosphate test can help determine the presence of detergents. Are any detergent manufacturers even using phosphates any more?

I know they pretty much outlawed them in laundry detergent by the mid 90's or so, and I understand they either have, or are in the process of banning phosphates in dishwasher detergent.

Dish soap, like for washing them by hand doesn't usually contain phosphates (I'm pretty sure)

Back in the 70's it was really a big news thing... Haven't heard much lately though.

And I wonder what the effect will be from whatever they replaced the phosphates with? Probably not too good.

I've used bleach water for years, with tons of rinsing afterward. Had great results.

[EDIT} Wow! I hit reply, the dog wanted out... I wasn't gone that long. This thread moved fast! LOL

mazeman22

10-09-2006, 8:54 PM

Oh thanks jm. I'll make sure to get the three this week! Thanks to all! :clap:

mtiller

10-09-2006, 9:51 PM

ah no no no no! what i meant was when i had a tank that hadn't been used for a long time that wasn't cleaned after it was empty i'd use the detergent in it. i never did the detergent wash and then threw fish in there right afterwards. mostly the tank just sits there and when i fill my tanks up i always fill it up halfway, shake it, then pour it out, and i fill it again. i haven't had any problems with fish deaths after using my previous methods. just wanted to clear that up before i became considered an avid fish killer -_- :thud:

plah831

10-09-2006, 9:57 PM

that's what I thought. Don't worry mtiller, I never thought you were an avid fish killer :D

mtiller

10-09-2006, 10:01 PM

ah whew :bowing: thx lol....don't know what i'd do if that were to happen, i love AC! i'll prob. be extra careful cleanin out my tanks now, or i may experiment with that watered-down bleach formula thingy.

plah831

10-09-2006, 10:40 PM

yeah, I'd recommend the bleach or Oxyclean powder <- if you really like the soap/detergent motion for cleaning tanks :D

Bleach is really easy to use. Just mix with water, spray or dump it in, scrub with a hard-bristled brush (clean or used only for your aquaria), and rinse with lots of clean water.