Washed some aquarium decor in diluted bleach. They still smell like bleach. Are they safe to put back in?

Question

I rinsed them really well, but I can't get the bleach smell out. Are they safe to put back in the aquarium? I even rinsed them in non-chlorine water.

I didn't wash the aquarium in bleach, I removed some decor and soaked it in diluted bleach to remove some slimy algae.

Answer 1

They are ABSOLUTELY NOT SAFE to put back in. Allow these pieces of decor to sit in direct sunlight for a day or two to allow lethal (to tropical fish) Chlorine to evaporate off harmlessly.

Answer 2

If they are plastic you may have soaked them too long or used too much bleach. Bleach should be used only at a 1 to 10 ratio with water for cleaning at the very most ever, it eats away surfaces if stronger than that. If in doubt throw it out if you can, or at least soak them in non-chlorinated water for a night.

Answer 3

The chemical composition of bleach is NaOCl. The harmful element in bleach is Chlorine, denoted by the "Cl". By simply adding some dechlorinator to the water with the bleached ornaments, the DECHLORINATOR will neutralize the Cl, leaving you with NaO, sodium oxide. NaO is completely harmless to fish and the decorations can then be safely be added to the tank.

Soop Nazi

Answer 4

it depends on if you used scented or not, and how much is left on the decor.
AND if its a saltwater tank or not, I'm assuming not. I'd rinse a few more times, and put it in. Bleach is usually mostly ammonia. As long as fish aren't going right back in the tank, its fine. otherwise, soak it overnight in water before placing in the tank.

In saltwater, you can use unscented bleach in tiny amounts to help the cycle progress.

Answer 5

Just to be sure, try soaking them overnight in warm water. You can add a product to help with removing chlorine to be on the safe side. I have used this method and never had any problems,depending on the decorations used. (I am assuming that you have a freshwater tank since you didn't specify).

Answer 6

If it were me, I wouldn't put them back in right away.

Put them in a water-safe container, and fill it with water, add a double dose of dechlorinator, then put in a cup of water from the aquarium. Let them soak for a couple of days. Bleach combines with organic material, and after a couple of days, they should be fine. Rinse them again, and put them back in.

Answer 7

If you can smell it it is still not suitable. Put it in the dishwasher then when tnhey are out boil some water and let them sit in their for 5 miniutes then a few hours later boil water again and repeat.
As soon as you can't smell belach do it a fwe more times, then if you have a empty quarintine tank put the ornaments in for a week and see if any of your ammonia, nitrate or ph levels go up if they do repeat the above priocess. If not then your good to go!
Good luck!

Answer 8

I have washed my aquarium decor and aquarium in bleach water for years and years and have NEVER lost a fish from it. If you have rinsed them well, your fish will be fine.

Answer 9

NO NO NO NO STOP do not put your fish in there never ever clean your fish tank in bleach if you put your fish in the tank now I will almost garantee they will die!!!!!!


please for the sake of the fish put them in a diffrent glass bolw that has not been touched by any type of soap and get a new aquarium decor!!!!

Answer 10

as long as you rinse them thoroughly and enable them to thoroughly dry they are going to be fantastic. I examine an editorial presently that stated whilst bleach dries in breaks down into salts. So verify they are unfolded so as that they are able to dry thoroughly.