water change vs mold-mildew

[ga_daisy]

Ok....here is the situation.

I had a bit of a green slime algae issue. I treated the tank with ChemiClean on Friday. The instructions say that in 48 hours, I am to do a water change. Yesterday ended up being a non-water change sort of day, BUT....I am now home and ready to proceed. HOWEVER.....I just noticed that in my Python line, there is either mold or mildew on the inside of the line. I've not used the line in MONTHS (ok, maybe more like a year....truth be told). I'm guessing that whatever was growing in there hasn't had moisture in quite a while.

Is it safe to use the Python? HOPING you are going to tell me that this would be a non-issue regardless as to the growth or growth/death of the mold (or mildew) in the line. I'm set up and ready to do a water change.....IF I don't do it now, it will be LATE tomorrow before I have a chance to go to the store to buy another line.

 

[db366]

If the mold is in the line of the python you wont be pumping new water in using it, just pumping the old water out that is gonna be getting thrown away. I don't see how that could hurt your tank.

 

[mvm]

Can you throw some old sand in the hose and then hook it up to a faucet? The sand will get all of the "junk" out pretty quickly.

 

[jbadd99]

db366;639320 wrote: If the mold is in the line of the python you wont be pumping new water in using it, just pumping the old water out that is gonna be getting thrown away. I don't see how that could hurt your tank.

+1 on this..

As long as you don't use the line to FILL, I wouldn't worry about it since the suction should carry and spores and contaminates with it away from the tank.

After you finish, I think I'd run a bleach water mixture through it and let it dry completely.

 

[ga_daisy]

Well....I was going to remove the water and then refill using the line.

If I go ahead and bleach it tonight.....how long would you let it soak? And how much bleach in the water? Would traces of bleach harm a 235 gal tank? UGH.....I think I used the last of my bleach this weekend.....

I'm so tired, I'm sure that my questions sound stupid......but trust me I've had ONE of THOSE weeks. I'm trying to make it through my Physics and Biology finals this week and next without causing a catastrophe of epic portion.

 

[ga_daisy]

And....I would just use it to drain and then do the dump a bowl at the time method to refill....BUT.....Its 30 gals that I'm replacing......

and....meanwhile, I'm working on Biology homework and I've not had dinner yet AND....I've got to be up at 6:00 in the morning. :shout:

 

[rasbora]

Amici;639347 wrote: You want to run the bleach water through it not so much soak it. Soaking items in chlorine weakens it. After that run tap through it and let it dry completely. I would really suggest just siphoning out with the python and then either dumping buckets in slowly or using another method to fill it back up. You can do six 5 gallon buckets for it which wont be fun but you wont make your problem any worse.

I take a bin with a weak bleach/water mix and put the python into it, then hook up a small pump onto end of the hose. Run it for a while, then rinse the hose/bin and replace with fresh water and add dechlorinator. Rinse it a lot.

 

[ga_daisy]

Thanks guys....not the answer that I was wanting, but the one that I was expecting.

I will make SURE that the Python gets cleaned in the coming days and DRIED properly before storage next time.

Just me and the bucket....
:up:

 

[jeffh]

Back when I had freshwater tanks, I would get the same mildew buildup in my pythons hoses. Cleaning them is pretty simple

Fill a 5 gallon bucket with warm water and add a 1/2 cup of bleach.
Attach a powerhead to one end of the python, and put both ends of the python in the bucket.
Turn the powerhead on and let it run for 5 mins.
Dump the bucket and refill with fresh warm water.
Put both ends of the python in the bucket and let it run again for 5 mins.
If you wanted to use the python immediatly, you could add some dechlor to the rinse bucket. No need for drying! As you drain the water from the tank, you'll end up rinsing the tube with all the saltwater you are dumping.

 

[sonofdagon]

I think it will be a non-issue if you flush the line with the water from the tank and then use it to fill.

 

[thbrewst]

sonofDagon;639428 wrote: I think it will be a non-issue if you flush the line with the water from the tank and then use it to fill.

+1, if you suck out 30 gallons of water through the Python any of that 'stuff' that is going to come off will.

It sounds like you really need a water change and it would seem the risk is pretty minimal that 1) anything would come out of the hose and 2) that if by chance it did that it is something more harmful to your tank then the chemicals that you already put in there.

After this one water change then you should properly clean, rinse and dry the Python like folks mentioned above.

 

[sonofdagon]

If you need any help with maintenance let me know. I also live in Monticello.

 

[landon]

Don't delay the water change when using Chemiclean.

 

[ga_daisy]

Thanks everyone....

I ended up using the Python to drain, but then an 8 cup measuring bowl/cup to add water back into the tank. It was a daunting process, but I weighed my potential hazards against the aggravation and decided that I couldn't risk it.

To add to the drama of the night....lol....I was so tired by the time I started, I miscalculated how much water to pull from the tank, sooooo when I finished scooping water back into the tank, I came up about 12-15 gallons short. Had to make up more RO water and had JUST enough salt to mix up what I needed. I think I finally got into bed around 3:15.

The good news....water change DONE, no aftermath drama, and with all of the up and down on the ladder to get the water added back into the system, I got a great workout and slept like a log all three hours!



Monticello? I didn't realize there were any fellow reefers out here. Which end of the county do you live in? I'm uptown, just beyond the CVS.

 

[sonofdagon]

I live in Turtle Cove. Yes, everyone in the forum seems to be in Atlanta.

 

[ga_daisy]

About 8 yrs ago, I lived over on Cardinal.....really liked it out there. I moved back to Covington for a couple of years and then settled where I am now. Looking back, I wish I would have bought in Turtle Cove.....nice community with lots of green space.

 

[sonofdagon]

We have been here about 5 years. Moved from St Mtn. Nice and quiet here. Only thing we miss is being able to go a block to the store instead of 10-20 miles. At least you're close to Ingles.

 

[smallblock]

Two little fishes(I think) makes a small mag float like cleaner thingy for tubing and pipes. Its very small and works off of a magnet. Pretty much the same as a mag float but you can fit it inside pipes and tubing. Pretty nifty IMO