Cleaning aquarium equipment

[AdamR]

Once I get rid of the fish I want to give my tank, filters... a good clean.  I have seen in a previous thread to use hot water and bleach.

Is this normal household bleach?  How much do I use?

Is there anything that is safer?  Better?

Thanks
Adam

[artw]

Bleach is awfully harsh,  I would just use vinegar and water, and let everything dry for a few days.

[darkdep]

If you want to use bleach, you can use almost any ratio you want...1:10 is enough.  Just make sure to rinse like heck and let dry.

But, personally, I just use water and a rough sponge.  Vinegar and water as art suggested is great for any harder spots.  Bleach works, but is not necessary.

[Nelson]

I also agree with Art, but I take it further.  Warm water and scrubbing with a course plastic sponge and razor blade as required.  I can't get comfortable using chemicals that haven't been expressly produced for use in an aquarium.  To each his/her own I guess :wink:

[BigDaddy]

I have used a 4:1 water to bleach ratio on tanks that I wanted to make sure were completely sterile.

A very good rinse and a quad dose of dechlor... and the tanks have been fine.

[sarahbella]

Bleach is chlorine and oxygen and once diluted it breaks down quickly. Chlorine and water evaporate and whats left is mainly salt.  

Thorougly dried and rinsed should cause no problems.  I have used it before with no ill effects.

[damarech]

Bleach will  sterilize  your tank . You don't need much , a cap full to a litre of water is more than enough . Any more is just over kill . Also sun light will help to  evaporate the clorine.

[Mettle]

Bleach is chlorine and oxygen and once diluted it breaks down quickly. Chlorine and water evaporate and whats left is mainly salt.

I did not know this. Now I'm going to have to be a geek and go look up some chemistry stuff. Gee, thanks.  :roll:

EDIT TO ADD: Found something. :lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite

[sarahbella]

Bleach is chlorine and oxygen and once diluted it breaks down quickly. Chlorine and water evaporate and whats left is mainly salt.

I did not know this. Now I'm going to have to be a geek and go look up some chemistry stuff. Gee, thanks.  :roll:

EDIT TO ADD: Found something. :lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite

Thats why they call it chlorox