If you’re like most aquarium owners, you probably don’t give much thought to your nets. But did you know that they can be one of the biggest sources of bacteria in your tank?
That’s why it’s important to disinfect your nets regularly. The good news is that it’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes.
Here’s what you need to do:-
- Remove the net from the tank and rinse it off with clean water.
- Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and add a cup of bleach.
- Submerge the net in the bleach solution and let it soak for 5 minutes.
- Rinse the net thoroughly with clean water.
- Let the net air dry before using it again.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep your aquarium clean and healthy!
Remove The Net From The Tank And Rinse It Off With Clean Water!
Rinsing your aquarium net in tap water is a quick and easy way to clean the net.
You can usually just run the water and place your net under the water stream for a minute or two.
This will help you get the bulk and the dirt, substrate, and detritus off the neck even if it is dry and hardened so this does tend to be the quickest way to do the initial cleaning for your nets.
Fill A Bucket Or Sink With Hot Water And Add A Cup Of Bleach!
Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and let it sit for a minute or two.
The hot water will help to loosen and remove any stubborn dirt and grime that the water stream was unable to remove by simply moving the net around in the water.
Submerge The Net In The Bleach Solution And Let It Soak For 5 Minutes!
Submerging your net in a bleach solution is a great way to disinfect and sterilize the net.
The bleach will kill any bacteria or parasites that may be on the net.
People always add far too much bleach to the water solution and you usually only need a 1:16 ratio of bleach to water at the most.
Some people will often just add something like Pimafix or Melafix to the water rather than bleach as it is still able to deal with bacteria, fungus, and parasites that may be on your aquarium net.
Rinse The Net Thoroughly With Clean Water!
Once you have finished soaking the net in the bleach solution, it is important to rinse the net thoroughly with clean water.
You don’t want there to be any bleach residue left on the net as this can be harmful to your fish so it is always better to leave the net in the clean water for longer than you think it will take.
By this we mean leave the net to soak in clean water for at least ten minutes, in some cases, you may want to let the net soak for ten minutes and then replace the clean water and soak your net for another ten minutes to make sure all of the bleach is gone.
Let The Net Air Dry Before Using It Again!
After you have finished rinsing the net, it is important to let the net air dry before using it again.
You can either leave the net to air dry on its own or you can use a clean towel to help dry the net but air drying is usually easier.
Once the net is dry, you can put it back in your aquarium.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep your aquarium clean and healthy!
