How To Clean Sponge Filter Aquarium

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Reused Sponge Filter

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Do I need to sanitize/clean an old sponge that was used about a year ago?

MWR

Jan 17, 2018

I would definitely clean it. As far as sanitizing - better safe than sorry?

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#3

How would you go about sanitizing?

I just posted this exact question in a different thread lol

Edit: wow, I'm still figuring out how this forum works and posted on my own thread thinking it was someone else'sead:

WTFish?

Jan 17, 2018

I would, was there a disease or anything? I would soak in vinegar and rinse super well, let it dry back out and it should be good to start your next cycle..

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#5

I would definitely clean it. As far as sanitizing - better safe than sorry?

As far as sanitizing, would you recommend using a light washing in bleach and good soak in Prime'd water?

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#6

I would, was there a disease or anything? I would soak in vinegar and rinse super well, let it dry back out and it should be good to start your next cycle..

Nope no diseases. It was in a shrimp tank. I'm thinking of adding it to an existing tank now for extra filtration.

WTFish?

Jan 17, 2018

Nope no diseases. It was in a shrimp tank. I'm thinking of adding it to an existing tank now for extra filtration.

Should be fine, I personally don't like bleach but some do...I use vinegar and hot water.

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#8

Yeah it kind of freaks me out too but after regenerating Purigen it's made me a bit less head shy.

So, just soak in vinegar and hot water for a bit ? Sorry for all the questions....

WTFish?

Jan 17, 2018

Yeah it kind of freaks me out too but after regenerating Purigen it's made me a bit less head shy.
So, just soak in vinegar and hot water for a bit ? Sorry for all the questions....

Yeah, at least that's what I did with mine, worked well...no deaths yet. Haha

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#10

Yeah, at least that's what I did with mine, worked well...no deaths yet. Haha

K, well if I have any deaths I know who to blame

WTFish?

Jan 17, 2018

K, well if I have any deaths I know who to blame

Nooooo! Lol

AllieSten

Jan 17, 2018

I would just rinse it out with tap water. There is plenty of chlorine in tap, to kill off anything bad. It should be just fine to use. I wouldn't use vinegar or bleach on a sponge, you won't be able to get it all out, it doesn't evaporate as well from the center of the sponge.

Once you clean it in regular tap, I would soak in dechlorinated water for an hour or so. That way you rinse out all the chlorine.

Then you should be good to go.

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#13

I would just rinse it out with tap water. There is plenty of chlorine in tap, to kill off anything bad. It should be just fine to use. I wouldn't use vinegar or bleach on a sponge, you won't be able to get it all out, it doesn't evaporate as well from the center of the sponge.
Once you clean it in regular tap, I would soak in dechlorinated water for an hour or so. That way you rinse out all the chlorine.

Then you should be good to go.

Hmmmm, already soaked it in a few cups of hot water and a splash of venigar. I rinsed it and ring it out well and now have it soaking in just water. Our water here in northern CO doesn't have enough chlorine to make it toxic (or so my sources say). Now should I be worried about the vinegar? (WTFish? you started this lol)

WTFish?

Jan 17, 2018

Hmmmm, already soaked it in a few cups of hot water and a splash of venigar. I rinsed it and ring it out well and now have it soaking in just water. Our water here in northern CO doesn't have enough chlorine to make it toxic (or so my sources say). Now should I be worried about the vinegar? (WTFish? you started this lol)

Lol, many, many people use vinegar for cleaning anything in a tank...yes it's a sponge and can soak up more than using it on decor etc...the key is to rinse and rinse agin, then when you're done with that, rinse again...some people even use small amounts to lower pH, I don't recommend that but, it'll be fine. Did I mention you have to rinse it?
Oh, and I do agree with adding a tad of prime once rinsed and soaking in plain water...good idea

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#15

Excellent! Thanks for your expertise guys!

AllieSten

Jan 17, 2018

Hmmmm, already soaked it in a few cups of hot water and a splash of venigar. I rinsed it and ring it out well and now have it soaking in just water. Our water here in northern CO doesn't have enough chlorine to make it toxic (or so my sources say). Now should I be worried about the vinegar? (WTFish? you started this lol)

Any amount of chlorine can be toxic to your fish. Not to mention the heavy metals in the water. You do need to use a dechlorinator. Without a doubt. Chlorine is bleach (basically). Any amount is toxic to fish. It also inhibits bacteria growth. That's the reason it is in our water. To kill bacteria. It kills nitrifying bacteria also. You will have trouble cycling your sponge if it hasn't been dechlorinated. Dechlorinators remove heavy metals too, btw.

You can get a chlorine tester from a pool supply store, or the Tetra 6 in 1 test strips do Test for chlorine. Just a positive or negative result though, no number value.

fishferfun

Jan 17, 2018

Thread Starter
#17

Any amount of chlorine can be toxic to your fish. Not to mention the heavy metals in the water. You do need to use a dechlorinator. Without a doubt. Chlorine is bleach (basically). Any amount is toxic to fish. It also inhibits bacteria growth. That's the reason it is in our water. To kill bacteria. It kills nitrifying bacteria also. You will have trouble cycling your sponge if it hasn't been dechlorinated. Dechlorinators remove heavy metals too, btw.
You can get a chlorine tester from a pool supply store, or the Tetra 6 in 1 test strips do Test for chlorine. Just a positive or negative result though, no number value.

Oh believe me, I'm a firm believer in Prime

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