How to disinfect your Aquarium?

Disinfecting an aquarium is a crucial part of owning an aquarium. Your little pets must have a cozy and germ-free environment to thrive in. Disinfecting an aquarium is the process of getting rid of all the harmful organisms from your tank. Doing this frequently proves to be beneficial. Or you can keep a routine to do it in regular intervals. While first coming to know about disinfecting your aquarium it may sound to be a hard or lengthy process. But I assure you it is not that complicated as it sounds.

Below are the ways that you can follow to disinfect your tank:

Using Bleach

Bleach is a good and safe chemical that you can use to disinfect your tank. But there are boundaries to it being safe. You must use it in the right concentrations and in the right proportions to make it safe for your fish. While disinfecting with bleach make sure that you don’t use other kinds of chemicals such as cleaning substances or any kind of chemical.

Make use of bleach with only water. The water also should not be mixed with anything. Soaking anything in bleach for a longer period must be avoided. Beach must not be used in higher quantities or concentrations. The amount of bleach that must be used depends on the size of the tank.

As bleach is a harmful chemical, use a glove and don’t let it come in contact with your eyes or any sensitive part of the body. There are two ways by which you can disinfect your aquarium with bleach.

First Method

First, you have to empty your tank, keep your fish in a safe and harmless place, take out all the accessories like heaters, filters, and decorations if you have any. Then wipe all the stains with a cloth soaked with water.

Then as mentioned before get yourself a bleach that is not mixed with any kind of other substances. Then you have to make a solution of bleach and water. The mix must be one part bleach and nine parts of water in a spraying bottle.

Then spray the solution all over the aquarium. Then for 10-15 minutes leave the aquarium. Don’t leave it for longer than that as bleach is a corrosive substance and it might damage your tank.

After that properly rinse your tank twice as that all the beach is gone. Then let your aquarium dry for about a day. With this, all the bleach is gone because if some bleach is left it can harm your fish fatally.

Then your tank is completely disinfected and it has become a harmless home for your fish.

Second Method

Similar to the first method, what you need to do first is empty your tank. Then get rid of all the stains with a cloth and warm water.

Then fill your tank with bleach and water. Make a mixture of one part bleach and ten parts of water. Make sure to use bleach without any chemical substances. Also, use a cloth and soak it in the mixture then wipe the outer surfaces of the tank with it.

Then let it sit for 10-15 minutes only. Any longer than that then your tank will be damaged. After letting it sit empty the tank. Then rinse the tank with tap water twice.

After that let it dry for a day and then fill it with water. Also, add a dechlorinator to the water. Then leave it be for about an hour and then empty it. After that, your tank is ready for your fish. 

Using Vinegar

Vinegar is also an effective chemical with which you can disinfect your tank. Get yourself a white vinegar and get going.

First, disassemble your tank and all the pieces of equipment.

Then clear away all the stains from the tank. Use a sponge and tap water. Wipe all the surfaces of the tank in and out. If there are stubborn stains you can use table salt along with the sponge and water. If you use salt rinse don’t let it dry. After that rinse the tank properly.

Next comes the vinegar. You can fill the tank with water and vinegar. Fill the tank with vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:1. Then leave it for some time. Or you can make a solution of vinegar and water. Soak a sponge on it and wipe all the surfaces of the aquariums in and out with it.

After doing either one of these rinse the tank properly then let it dry.