🧭 What do you mean by “clean,” “sanitize,” “disinfect,” and “sterilize”?

• 🧼 Clean = remove dirt, biofilm, algae, scale. (Does not reliably kill pathogens.)
• 🧴 Sanitize = reduce microbes to a safer level.
• ☣️ Disinfect = kill most pathogens on nonporous surfaces (when used at the right strength/time).
• 🔬 Sterilize = kill all microbes/spores (true sterilization needs an autoclave/dry heat; in hobby settings we aim for high-level disinfection).

⚠️ Never use soaps/detergents on anything that will touch aquarium water.

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🧰 Quick reference: solutions & contact times

Dechlorinator = any sodium thiosulfate/chloramine binder (your water conditioner). For bleach jobs, a quick dip in conditioned water after rinsing is cheap insurance.

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🧪 When to preserve vs. kill the biofilter

• 🟢 Routine maintenance (keep biofilter):
  Rinse sponges/biomedia in old tank water, wipe glass, vinegar/citric for scale, H₂O₂ spot-clean gear. No bleach on media you plan to reuse biologically.
• 🔴 Post-disease deep clean (kill pathogens):
  Disassemble, bleach-disinfect hard gear (not biomedia you want to keep), replace mechanical floss, discard/replace biomedia or accept a re-cycle period after disinfection.

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🛠️ Standard operating procedures (SOPs)

1) 🧼 Routine cleaning (biofilter-safe)

Use for: weekly/biweekly upkeep, no known disease

1. Unplug gear.
2. Mechanical sponges/floss: squeeze in a bucket of old tank water until water runs reasonably clear.
3. Impellers/pumps: soak housings in 1:1 vinegar 10–20 min → brush crevices → rinse.
4. Glass/acrylic: algae magnet or plastic blade (acrylic) / razor (glass).
5. Hard water scale: vinegar/citric soak, then rinse.
6. Hoses: pull a microfiber/pipe brush through; follow with hot water rinse.
7. Finish: reassemble, prime with tank water, and restore power.

🧠 Tip: keep color-coded buckets/hoses for each tank or at least separate QT vs display to prevent cross-contamination.

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2) ☣️ Disinfection (after illness, used gear, cross-tank tools)

Use for: nets, siphons, buckets, scrapers, pump housings, filter shells, heaters, frag tools, QT tanks

Bleach method (most effective, inexpensive):

1. Pre-clean: remove gunk so disinfectant can reach surfaces.
2. Mix fresh: 1:20 bleach (e.g., 1 cup regular 6–8.25% bleach + 19 cups water) in a labeled tub. Cold tap water, good ventilation.
3. Soak fully submerged: 10–15 min (nets 2–5 min at 1:50 if between tanks).
4. Rinse thoroughly in running water.
5. Neutralize: quick dip in conditioned water (strong dose of dechlorinator).
6. Verify (optional but pro): use a pool chlorine strip—aim 0 ppm on the rinse.
7. Air-dry completely (ideally 24 h). Drying further reduces residual risk.

Potassium permanganate method (good on porous decor, plant tools):

1. Pre-clean.
2. Prepare 10–25 mg/L KMnO₄ (water turns pink to raspberry).
3. Soak 10–30 min until brown color forms on organics.
4. Neutralize with a splash of H₂O₂ or dechlorinator until water clears.
5. Rinse and air-dry.

Hydrogen peroxide (surface disinfection/reef-safe tooling):

• Flood surfaces with 3% for 10–20 min → rinse → dry.
• Great on salt-creeped lids, scissors, frag plugs (not living tissue).

⚠️ Never mix bleach with acids (vinegar/citric) → chlorine gas.
⚠️ Do not use copper meds or copper-contaminated tools on reef/invert systems—keep a separate “med kit.”

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3) 🧴 Filter internals (what to clean vs. replace)

• Mechanical pads/floss: replace or rinse weekly (or after heavy polishing runs).
• Sponges: squeeze in tank water; replace only when crumbling.
• Biomedia: do not bleach if you intend to keep your cycle; swish gently in tank water every 1–3 months.
• If you disinfect a filter body/impeller with bleach: that’s fine—just keep biomedia separate and wet in tank water while you work.

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4) 🧫 Tanks, sumps, ATO reservoirs

• Algae/film: scrape, then 1:1 vinegar wipe; rinse.
• Post-disease (empty tank): 1:20 bleach wipe/soak 10–15 min, paying attention to rims, weirs, overflows → rinse → dechlorinator wipe → air-dry 24–48 h.
• Acrylic: use plastic blades only; bleach contact is OK at listed times, but don’t leave bleach sitting for hours.
• Silicone seams: short bleach exposures are fine; don’t overdo (long soaks degrade silicone over time).

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5) 🪵 Rocks, decor, wood

• Inert decor (plastic/resin/ceramic): bleach at 1:20 for 10–15 min → neutralize → rinse → dry.
• Driftwood: boil 30–60 min (if it fits) or pour boiling water over surfaces repeatedly; avoid long bleach soaks (can leach).
• Live rock (reef): do not disinfect if you intend to preserve life. For “reset,” you can bleach-cure rock (separate process) then re-cycle fully before re-use.

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6) 🧵 Nets between tanks (biosecurity)

• Keep two cups: Cup A (1:50 bleach), Cup B (dechlorinator).
• Dip net 2–5 min in A → rinse under tap → dip in B → air-dry when done for the day.
• Replace nets periodically; they’re cheap insurance.

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7) 🧪 Dips for live plants (not equipment, but related)

• Potassium permanganate: 10 mg/L for 10–15 min, rinse well.
• Hydrogen peroxide: 1.5% (dilute 3% 1:1) for 5 min on hardier plants, rinse.
• Alum (aluminum sulfate) soaks can help with snails/eggs (separate protocol).
• Always research plant sensitivity first.

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🛡️ Safety & disposal

• 🧤 Wear gloves, eye protection, and ventilate.
• 🧪 Mix chemicals fresh, label containers, and keep away from kids/pets.
• ♻️ Neutralize bleach solutions with dechlorinator before pouring to drain; never mix with acids.
• 🔥 Store oxidizers (bleach, KMnO₄, H₂O₂) cool and away from sunlight; don’t stockpile huge volumes.

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🧭 Decision cheatsheet

• Just dirty? → Vinegar/citric + elbow grease → rinse → dry.
• Cross-tank tools / after new fish? → 1:50 bleach 2–5 min → neutralize → dry.
• After disease or used gear? → 1:20 bleach 10–15 min → neutralize → chlorine-strip check → dry 24 h.
• Porous decor / plant tools? → KMnO₄ 10–25 mg/L 10–30 min → neutralize → rinse → dry.
• Reef/invert tools only? → Prefer 3% H₂O₂ 10–20 min → rinse → dry (and keep a no-copper kit).

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🧾 Printable checklist

• Label separate buckets/hoses for each tank (or at least “Display” vs “QT/Med”).
• Stock: bleach, dechlorinator, 3% H₂O₂, citric acid, vinegar, KMnO₄ (optional), chlorine test strips, gloves, goggles.
• Post this near the sink: dilutions, contact times, and neutralization steps.