Minimum bleach time      01/17/19
Hey Bob,
<Hiya Bobby>
Read articles about using bleach to sanitize tank.
<Okay>
The tank is in my living room not far from my parrots. I could temporarily relocate the parrots to a garage, but with the 30 degree weather, it can’t be long.
<Understood>
It is a 50 gallon tank, what amount of bleach can I use, and for the minimum time in order to kill any parasites?
<Mmm; if it's extra gunky (lots of mulm); you're leaving substrate, rock... in place, maybe an even gallon. DO TAKE CARE not to splash it on your skin, clothing, carpet... Household varieties of sodium hypochlorite... don't "stink", are not as subject to "leaving" solution... so the smell nor fumes issue shouldn't be as important. DO leave the lid on, DO run your filtration (in place) if you intend to nuke them as well. The time; is mostly (water) temperature dependent. At tropical, an hour or so should do it. You'll see that it's done.>>
Ideally I would let it run 24 hours thru tank, but I have to get parrots back on after the smell is gone.
<Nah; not needed>
Would 1 gallon of bleach, run for 3 hours kill all parasites living in tank including sand and live rock?
<Oh! Yes; very likely>
Thanks, bob
<Welcome, Bob Fenner>
Re: Minimum bleach time      01/17/19
Thanks bob.
<W>
There is no “gunk”, I sucked out the sand bed already, and rinsed our the rock in tap water in hopes of “preremoving” any organics in the rocks so the bleach can funnel its ability and energy on parasite, not dirt or grime.
Relatively clean tank albeit some algae on glass, so I’m thinking 1.5 hours with 1 gallon bleach will suffice.
<Me too>
Would you be at all concerned about rock touching to bottom of tank? Or rock touching other rock in a stacking motion?
<Not really, no>
For instance, when you paint a car, and edge your wanting to paint touching something else will miss the paint your trying to put on. Is there any indication that two objects touching will be blocked from bleach contact?
I’m not at all versed in fluid dynamics.
More than likely over thinking here, however rather do this once and put it out of mind.
Thanks, Bobby
<Again, if all else is left running; pumps, filters... all will be bleached. Take your time dumping the water (down the toilet, sewer...) refilling and dumping a couple times more. BobF>