I have 8 fancy goldfish, as well as 80 gallons worth of tanks and equipment that I am taking down because I am at school in VA and I am driving home tomorrow. I know quite a bit about goldfish, I've been keeping them for about 3 years now, but I still have so much to learn! I am going to be putting the tanks and equipment (heater, aerator, etc.) in storage here in VA and will then set them up in the fall when I return from FL. Is just letting the equipment dry good enough or should I disinfect it? The thing I always have hated about coming back to the equipment after 3 months is that it smells awful, because all I really did was rinse it and get rid of the visible stuff by scrubbing. I know you can use salt but i'm not sure how or what else you could use that wouldn't be toxic to the fish. Any help would be appreciated!
2007-05-12 11:37:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Rinsing well and allowing it to dry well before packing it up will be just fine. Nothing harmful or toxic will be in it if it dries well before the long term storage.
Have a safe trip home.
MM
2007-05-12 12:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to disinfect your tank if the fish are healthy. You can make a paste of salt on a towel or sponge and scrub it down good. Just rinse the tanks and you will be good to go when you start back up. Don't worry if you don't get it all out, read below.
A little salt is good for most fish. It helps them build their slime coat and makes it difficult for parasites to live. One tablespoon per five gallons of water is about right. Yes, you can use table salt, the iodizing does not hurt fish. There is trace amounts of iodine in natural water everywhere.
BTW, goldfish are coldwater fish and should not be kept with a heater. They are naturally comfortable in 60-65 degree water.
2007-05-12 11:59:17 · answer #2 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DON'T DISINFECT YOUR EQUIPMENT!!!
Chemical residue will either kill your fish in the future, or make them ill. Just scrub everything thoroughly, rinse it well, and let it dry. That should get rid of the worst of the smell.
And good luck with your move!
2007-05-12 11:42:52 · answer #3 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use any household chemicals to clean your equipment. The left over chemicals that stay on the equipment after you rise them will be toxic to your fish when you set up the equipment again.
Bacteria isnt bad for fish, they live in it all the time. Bleach however, is bad for fish (since they dont live in it all the time).
2007-05-12 11:51:02 · answer #4 · answered by pentacleric 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never disinfect your equipment. Chemicals could kill your fish if you put it in again. Letting it dry is good enough.
~ZTM
2007-05-12 15:20:45 · answer #5 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use any chemicals to disinfect your tank.
Just rinse it out with water, and let it dry.
ßübblëš
2007-05-12 12:03:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if it was me, i would dry the decorations out! I wouldn't trust having an unknown cause of nitrite spike.
2007-05-16 11:37:05 · answer #7 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋