Cleaning out a 100 gallon feed trough

[CarlaW]

Hey all, I have a queston about how to clean out my 100 gallon feed trough. I need it to make up 100 gallons of saltwater for a water change. This thing has been sitting outside for the last 2 years, and I just want to make sure it will be saltwater safe. Any help will be appreciated, TIA.

 

[DonW]

I'd just bleach it Charlie. I use a single hot tub chlorine pellet to clean out my WC cans. Works fine and I just leave them out in the back yard.

Don

 

[NeuroDoc]

What's the trough made of, plastic or metal? Plastics can leech chemicals into the water if they are not food grade, although if you only have water in it for a day or two, it shouldn't be a big deal.

I would clean out the trough with elbow grease and chlorine bleach for a disinfectant. Rinse well, and make sure the water is well-aerated as you mix it to off-gas any left over chlorine.

If you don't wash with some sort of disenfectant then you run the risk of introducing all sorts of algae and cyanobacteria into your tank.

 

[CarlaW]

Would you guys use that insta-chlor to clean it out again after bleaching it? It is made out of plastic, I used it to cure my live rock in my 300 when I set up the tank 2.5 years ago.

 

[DonW]

Would you guys use that insta-chlor to clean it out again after bleaching it? It is made out of plastic, I used it to cure my live rock in my 300 when I set up the tank 2.5 years ago.

I just rinse with the garden hose. Lots of flow will bolw off the chlorine.

Don

 

[CarlaW]

Thanx Don, by the way, your avatar is hilarious.:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[NeuroDoc]

I just rinse with the garden hose. Lots of flow will bolw off the chlorine.

Don

I agree. Any chlorine left will be a small amount and will off-gas.

 

[CarlaW]

Thanx again you guys, you are a big help!!!!!