Bleaching a Reef system

[Limey]

So I am definitely going to run Bleach through my system, the plan of action is as follows;
remove all livestock into holding tanks using current water in system.

I will top off my tank and system with tap water approx 200 gallons, then I will add 4 - 5 gallons of unscented bleach and run the system for 48 hours with the bleach.

Then I will drain the system and spray the tank and exposed sand and rock with Vinegar this neutralizes the bleach. ( a big thank you to both Luigi and Red for the chemistry lesson) I will then add RO water to the system along with Aquavitro Alpha, this is the same as Brightwell aquatics Prime but more concentrated, apparently the RO water will also draw the remaining chlorine (Bleach) out of the rock and the Alpha will also neutralize it.

After running this for an additional 48 hours I will fill my tank with a freshly mixed RO water and reef crystals, I will also add a high nutrient bacteria to the system to help seed the tank. I was going to use Aquavitro Seed but Red from Coral Reef shop recommended Fritz Zyme Turbo start Nitrifying Bacteria.

I am considering running carbon at the same time as the Alpha to hopefully remove any other remnants of the bleach .

I will rinse the rock soaking in the bleach barrel in RO water then soak in RO water and Alpha until ready to be replaced into the tank.

I am hoping to skip the cycle and add my few corals and fish back into the system shortly after adding the Nitrifying bacteria

Any thoughts on this process and procedures? Suggestions, Warnings

 

[Luigi]

. just saw this post...using only 4 gallons for a full 200 gallons system.. its barely 2% which is not strong enugh if you want to disinfect...the amount of water will dilute the Chlorine solution
I would go with at least 5 gallons

 

[Limey]

. just saw this post...using only 4 gallons for a full 200 gallons system.. its barely 2% which is not strong enugh if you want to disinfect...the amount of water will dilute the Chlorine solution
I would go with at least 5 gallons

Yes I was told 1 gallon per 100 gallon but after trying to remove the manjanos from the rock I realised I would need 5 + gallons.
5 gallons currently running through system.

 

[Limey]

So Saturday morning set up holding tanks and started moving livestock over.
Separated the tangs from the smaller fish to minimize stress for the inhabitants.
Sieves through the sand bed for nassurius snails and any sand sisters. Detritus clouded the tank pretty quickly, filled the tank back up with fresh water and ran system and skimmer until clear.
Used 9 filter socks as quickly clogged.

 

[Rookie]

Your a brave man!

 

[Luigi]

Looking good

 

[Limey]

Rookie brave is not the word as once i finally put 6 gallons of bleach into the tank the house stunk....opened doors and windows but the wife was not happy. the bleach smell will be with us for a day or two...LOL
I was going to let it run for 48 hrs but I feel 24 hours is plenty as everything is white now and looking new and clean.

I will start to drain the tank today and then neutralize the bleach remaining on the surfaces with vinegar, there is no rock in the tank this is in a separate drum of bleach this too will need rinsing and soaking in RO water to draw out the bleach.

The saga continues....

 

[Luigi]

After vinegar rinse the tank with RO

 

[Limey]

After vinegar rinse the tank with RO

1. So! I have a question, I will drain the tank currently running with bleach water and then drain and add vinegar, do I add RO water run the system then add the PRIME (alpha) and then mix in salt and add the high nutrient bacteria. (using same water).
or
2. Do I add Vinegar and RO water (Full system) run the system and then drain again and add fresh RO with mixed salt and add PRIME (Alpha) then add high nutrient bacteria. (two tanks of RO water).
Or
3. do I rinse with Vinegar and RO water drain and add RO again then add PRIME (alpha) and then Drain again, and add saltwater with high Nutrient
Bacteria.
Or
4. do I rinse with Vinegar and RO water drain and add RO mixed SALTWATER then add the PRIME (alpha) run, then add high Nutrient
Bacteria.

 

[Andrew D]

Just catching up on all I've been missing, and I'm shocked that you're having to do this. Very brave indeed. Hey, I always heard that you can't mix bleach and vinegar so whatever you do make sure it's well rinsed before you do. I can't advise on the rest as I've never done this before and hopefully will never have to!

 

[Limey]

Vinegar apparently neutralizes bleach, it is ammonia that mixed with bleach creates Chlorine gas...

 

[Luigi]

No need to fill the tank
Rinse the tank. And pipes with a few gallons of RO To flush the vinegar..
Fill with fresh RO.
Add salt..
Once reach
1025,salinity
77-78 F temp, add prime if you want the fish right away.
If don't have rocks. Don't need bacteria ..cant colonize just glass,
If you do have rocks add bacteria in the tank or in the curing container where the rocks are curing

 

[Limey]

Update, so one casualty so far lost my coral beauty in the small tank with the anthias, clowns and royal gramma. tank looked cloudy so quick water change, dose of Alpha and carbon added to hang on filter to both tanks, water cleared over night fish had better colour and swimming a lot more today.
I hate setting up holding tanks as they are never as efficient as a system with sump, skimmer, etc.
hopefully the only loss during process.

 

[Limey]

So system full of RO/DI water and running I will add Alpha tonight and then after 24 hrs add salt.
Went to start rinsing the rock in the bleach bath and the rocks still had manjanos and some monster bristle worms (over 12") in or on them.
So drain the barrel applied fresh Bleach and left to soak again, this time Bleach solution mixed at 5 gallons water : 1 gallon Bleach.

 

[Luigi]

Sorry to hear the fish is dead
Unfortunately it's true that temporary tanks are never a proper system...
Once ammonia start to build up. It can be already too late
So its better to do small water changes
And dose pimento suppress ammonia and nitrates

 

[Limey]

yes changing 5 gallons each day in both tanks now until back in main system, Fish cost too much these days

 

[Luigi]

Sorry I meant to write "prime"
But the auto correct wrote Pimento

 

[Limey]

Rock pulled out of bleach bath sprayed with vinegar, rised in RO water and now in a 35 Gallon drum with RODI water and Aquavitro Alpha.

 

[Luigi]

They looking very bright

 

[Mad Marks]

Watch your ammonia and nitrate levels. You likely have no beneficial bacteria left.