Habitat - Indoor :: Advice on "Thoroughly Rinsing" Bleach Solution?

[RockyAndRambo]

Actually, I don't need advice on the rinsing, but more specifically, on the "draining" aspect. I want to disinfect a 105 gallon tall aquarium that I picked up used, using a mild bleach solution as has been suggested many times in this forum. However, when it comes to the part about rinsing "thoroughly," I was hoping for some clarification. Can I simply use my siphon to "drain" the water in the tank, or do I need to actually tilt the aquarium somehow in order to make sure that the water drains completely? If I use the siphon, obviously there will be water left at the bottom, so I'm concerned that it's not thoroughly rinsed, so-to-speak. On the other hand, I can't see tilting such a large heavy glass structure, first because it's close to 200 lbs, and secondly, it seems like it might compromise its structural integrity. Would multiple fillings and siphonings be considered equivalent to being "thoroughly rinsed"?

While I'm on the subject of disinfecting, would it be prudent to run the external filter (sans filter media) while the bleach solution is in the aquarium, and again using the rinse water?

[TheComputerGremlin]

As far as I know, the rule for pets and babies (which I assume includes turtles) would be to put in the mild bleach solution, get out as much as you can (probably by siphon), add a whole bunch of water, siphon it out, and then let it completely dry. I think the drying step is the part that gets rid of the bleach danger. So make sure every little corner is completely dry. That's what we used to do for our cats' water dish at least, and they're fine.

As for the filter, I'd only run that if the filter is especially dirty and needed cleaned, otherwise, it's just more contaminated bleach surfaces that need to be dried.

[marisa]

When I've cleaned tanks with diluted bleach but couldn't tip them to get all the water out, I did do multiple fillings, taking the water out each time. Let the well-rinsed out tank air dry for 24 hours and the remaining chlorine will dissipate.

I have also disinfected filters by running a very diluted bleach solution through them and then letting clean water run through them (no media), changing the water several times.

[Bascomb]

MAR-MOD -- Is correct; the bleach will dissipate when left dry for a period of time. The chlorine is similar to the chlorine that is found in your public water and you may want to use some conditioner when you refill it.

[grey goose]

Here's my method, you may need some help for a tank that large:

First, siphon out as much water as you can (this will leave about 1" of water in the bottom).
Then lift one end of the tank (get help) and slide a couple of 2x4's under the end. You should be able to suck almost all the water out this way.

When I clean with bleach, which is not often, I use a spray bottle with 10:1 water/bleach and just spray the sides and bottom and let it sit for a minute or so. Then I wipe and rinse it using a bucket of clean water and a sponge, then siphon that out. Then I get another bucket of clean water that has been treated with A LOT of regular water conditioner and with a new sponge wipe everything down, take the water out and wipe dry with paper towels. Then it's ready to go.....

[RockyAndRambo]

Thanks for all the input! I've never had a tank this big and I am so worried about inadvertently weakening its integrity (the last thing I need is for it to spring a leak, or worse yet, bust apart!) I don't know who is more excited about getting the new tank set up, me or the turtles!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Congrats on the new tank!

FYI- bleach is "chlorine" (yup, the same stuff they put in our drinking water!)

Rinse well after cleaning your tank, but also know that eventually the chlorine will evaporate on it's own without any help from you (especially if you let the tank dry out completely after cleaning).

If there is any bleach residue left after you have rinsed the tank, a good water conditioner like Reptisafe is helpful for getting rid of excess chlorine.