Re: [Killietalk] Disinfection Questions

[<augustand at sbcglobal_net>]

I fill the washing mach with warm water and add a cup of bleach, shut the 
cover and let the bleach get mixed into the water real good then I add the 
sponges if I have mops I put them in a net bag and wash them also then after 
the washing I boil the mops. I let them wash and rise 3 whole cycles of the 
washer to make sure that the bleach is rinsed out.
The peat I boil for 20 min before each use.
.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Harrison" <charles at inkmkr_com>
To: "killifish discussion list" <killietalk at aka_org>
Cc: <Sandy1238 at aol_com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Disinfection Questions


At 1:06 AM -0500 11/2/05, Sandy1238 at aol_com wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>How do different members go about disinfecting spawning mops and sponge
>filters? Would you go as far as disinfecting or
>boiling good quality fibrous  peat
>and using it again? Your answers would be appreciated.

Over the years I have come up with one too many
"transmitted via mop or sponge filter" maladies
to seriously recommend any method to disinfecting
them. If the source is in any way questionable -
from a well meaning friend, a fellow Aquarium
Club member just getting out of the fish or most
"Outside" donations, I just thank them, accept
the item and pitch it when I get home.

A skein of yarn is about $3 and it makes a dozen
+ mops and I KNOW there isn't a parasite on any
of them. I have lost a single pair of $35  Aph.
whatsit putting in a couple of mops in their tank
from the show or auction left behind only to
infect them with the parasite of the month. I
rinsed them out with HOT water, left them in the
boiling water for 5 min. but still not everything
got disinfected.

As for sponge filters - again if from that well
meaning friend - toss it. $4 to $6 for a sponge
for a filter vs. any amount of money for a fish
that just isn't around any more just isn't worth
it.

If I have had an infection from adjacent tanks
and fear there may be some chance of spreading, I
toss it.

On the other hand, if I am moving a mop from one
species tank or location to another, I rinse it
out in the sink in tap water as hot as I can
stand and then heat the wet mop in the microwave
long enough to really get it steamy and then let
it dry out for a day or 3. Much more heat than
that tends to kink the threads and makes it
useless.

I rinse the sponges under a stream of hot tap
water until the water runs clear and allow it to
dry completely before I use it again.

I can usually squeeze 7¢ out of a nickle but when
it comes to these 2 items much better safe than
sorry.

See you soon Sandy!

Charles Harrison

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