How long does Clorox potency last?

[Dom]

I'm in the process of sterilizing equipment and live rock after Aiptasia found its way into my tank.

I am using a Clorox and water bath, 1 part Clorox and 9 parts water.

How long before the Clorox potency depletes, requiring me to mix a new batch?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I can’t give an answer except to be certain it depends on what you are putting into the water and how much material on it reacts with the hypochlorite.

 

[Dom]

I can’t give an answer except to be certain it depends on what you are putting into the water and how much material on it reacts with the hypochlorite.

I was waiting for your reply. Thank you.

AI told me that I should mix a new batch every 48 hours.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That seems fine to me unless you treat a lot of stuff on the first day.

 

[Fish Fan]

I like to use swimming pool liquid chlorine for stuff like this. It's the same solution of sodium hypochlorite, but more concentrated.

Would some kind of free chlorine test kit come in handy here, like what they use on swimming pools to maintain chlorine at a sufficient concentration to be an effective sanitizer?

 

[Dom]

I like to use swimming pool liquid chlorine for stuff like this. It's the same solution of sodium hypochlorite, but more concentrated.

Would some kind of free chlorine test kit come in handy here, like what they use on swimming pools to maintain chlorine at a sufficient concentration to be an effective sanitizer?

I thought about floating a chlorine basket with chlorine tablets. But I read that it can damage plastic, seals and pump components at too high a concentration. Bleach is easier to measure.

 

[56longroof]

That seems like a pretty extreme way to get rid of aptasia.

 

[Dom]

That seems like a pretty extreme way to get rid of aptasia.

I know, doesn't it? I need to be sure.

I've read up on Aiptasia over the last few months; the stuff is evil. It grows in plumbing, overflows, PVC pipe, and even equipment like skimmers and heaters. It has taken over the entire bottom of a tank with a 12" x 48" footprint.

So this is a new build in a 125 gallon. I don't want to take any chances. If something gets by, oh well, at least I tried. No half measures.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

can i piggyback on this and ask about using bleach on my filter socks? I washed them with bleach and and extra rinse cycle but still smell like bleach. I’m thinking of soaking them in a bucket of RODI and some prime.

 

[Fish Fan]

can i piggyback on this and ask about using bleach on my filter socks? I washed them with bleach and and extra rinse cycle but still smell like bleach. I’m thinking of soaking them in a bucket of RODI and some prime.

Let them dry thoroughly. Bleach is effectively neutralized once dry

 

[Dom]

can i piggyback on this and ask about using bleach on my filter socks? I washed them with bleach and and extra rinse cycle but still smell like bleach. I’m thinking of soaking them in a bucket of RODI and some prime.

I would think, if you can't smell it, you're good to go.

 

[56longroof]

can i piggyback on this and ask about using bleach on my filter socks? I washed them with bleach and and extra rinse cycle but still smell like bleach. I’m thinking of soaking them in a bucket of RODI and some prime.

I hang mine outside for a day or 2 after washing them exactly like you do. Always gets rid of the smell.

 

[Boehmtown]

I know, doesn't it? I need to be sure.

I've read up on Aiptasia over the last few months; the stuff is evil. It grows in plumbing, overflows, PVC pipe, and even equipment like skimmers and heaters. It has taken over the entire bottom of a tank with a 12" x 48" footprint.

So this is a new build in a 125 gallon. I don't want to take any chances. If something gets by, oh well, at least I tried. No half measures.

I have 2 friends with no aptasia and personally 6 years in to this tank and a previous second tank, no aptasia. If you want some advice , I put everything , every frag, snail hermit etc either in a small separate 5 gallon tank or in an acclimation box in the tank for a few days to a week with some small rocks around it, if I see anything, it gets tossed into my side yard. Don't let the pet store pick even a snail for you. Observe and pick out the clean ones.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'm in the process of sterilizing equipment and live rock after Aiptasia found its way into my tank.

I am using a Clorox and water bath, 1 part Clorox and 9 parts water.

How long before the Clorox potency depletes, requiring me to mix a new batch?

A 1:10 solution lasts a long time. We used it in net dip buckets and only needed to change it out monthly. I did a study 30+ years ago that showed a 1:10 solution was an effective sanitizing agent for even mycobacterium…but it was pretty harsh on metals and some plastics.

One thing makes me nervous though - it can be difficult to find plain Clorox bleach any more. Most formulations have scents, surfactants or thickening agents. The only main 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solutions I can find locally was in plain GFS bleach.

A cheap DPD chlorine test can tell if you rinsed well enough. If any pink color develops (more than just tsp water by itself) you need to rinse some more.

 

[Dom]

I have 2 friends with no aptasia and personally 6 years in to this tank and a previous second tank, no aptasia. If you want some advice , I put everything , every frag, snail hermit etc either in a small separate 5 gallon tank or in an acclimation box in the tank for a few days to a week with some small rocks around it, if I see anything, it gets tossed into my side yard. Don't let the pet store pick even a snail for you. Observe and pick out the clean ones.

I'm at about the 20 year mark in the hobby, and September of '25 was my first run in with Aiptasia, ever. And from what I've read, that isn't easy to do. I attribute it to luck.

I'm in total agreement with your thoughts of isolating. And this definitely came from 3 frags I purchased from the LFS. I usually QT frags to make sure they are clean before going to the DT. But I decided to skip it and put them right in the display. Serves me right!

But I am confused about using acclimation boxes. They are made as to allow water to flow through them freely. From what I've read, Aiptasia could easily pass through to the display if it were on a frag.

 

[Dom]

A 1:10 solution lasts a long time. We used it in net dip buckets and only needed to change it out monthly. I did a study 30+ years ago that showed a 1:10 solution was an effective sanitizing agent for even mycobacterium…but it was pretty harsh on metals and some plastics.

One thing makes me nervous though - it can be difficult to find plain Clorox bleach any more. Most formulations have scents, surfactants or thickening agents. The only main 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solutions I can find locally was in plain GFS bleach.

A cheap DPD chlorine test can tell if you rinsed well enough. If any pink color develops (more than just tsp water by itself) you need to rinse some more.

Yes, everything was scented. And the thickener, I believe that's what makes it no splash.

I purchased unscented on line along with Sechem Prime for when I do the rocks.

 

[Boehmtown]

I'm at about the 20 year mark in the hobby, and September of '25 was my first run in with Aiptasia, ever. And from what I've read, that isn't easy to do. I attribute it to luck.

I'm in total agreement with your thoughts of isolating. And this definitely came from 3 frags I purchased from the LFS. I usually QT frags to make sure they are clean before going to the DT. But I decided to skip it and put them right in the display. Serves me right!

But I am confused about using acclimation boxes. They are made as to allow water to flow through them freely. From what I've read, Aiptasia could easily pass through to the display if it were on a frag.

They can, but most of the time they don't, they are in lower light and flow so they kinda reach out and are easily spotted. It's for sure not fool proof but the longer the tank runs the looser I get. It'll protect it and prevent it from walking into something nearby where you can't see it

 

[Mebbid]

Per statements by clorox, once diluted bleach solutions need to be remixed every 24 hours to maintain potency. Undiluted bleach begins to degrade after approximately 6 months. Store it in a dark area between 60 to 70 degrees to maximize shelf life.

They make test strips to be sure, thats what we had to do when i worked in a kitchen in the rare instances we used bleach.

How long does diluted bleach last? | Environmental Health and Safety

For the answer to this question, see the [email protected] email to the Director of WCMC EHS dated February 6, 2003:Thank you for asking about the shelf life of Ultra regular CLOROX liquid bleach.

ehs.weill.cornell.edu