How to quickly neutralize bleach?

[Miami Reef]

edit.

Hey guys. I made a thought experiment about trying to solve a scenario of how to neutralize bleach quickly if it got into the sump. I wanted to explore different chemistry methods to solve it.

I may have pushed a little too hard. I think it might have been a sensitive and triggering topic. I reported the thread to have it deleted so everyone can be happy.

Thank you.



New edit:
Hey everyone. I didn’t realize people were actually interested in this topic. I thought I overstepped.

I mentioned yesterday that you had unlimited resources and money and anything you could possibly need in that moment.

It was a thought experiment to see how resourceful you can be in a time-sensitive situation.

 

[fish_collector]

 

[KrisReef]

Cut out the lunatics tongue and stuff in into the pump intake to plug up the flow, then unplug the pump and drain the sump!

After that, mix up some water, or drive to the ocean, or lfs and get some saltwater to replace what I shop vacuum out of the sump.

The final thing is to empty the shop vac into a funnel, you can guess who and what's holding the funnel based upon the family friendly scenario about a lunatic with bleach messing with the sump.

 

[VintageReefer]

Your threads man…out there

 

[Miami Reef]

I actually didn’t think of closing the sump as a solution. I was actually hoping to see if anyone had a chemistry solution for it.

Hmm. If this thread was too triggering I’ll have it deleted. My bad.

 

[ZC aquatics]

Unplug it

 

[KrisReef]

I actually didn’t think of closing the sump as a solution. I was actually hoping to see if anyone had a chemistry solution for it.

Hmm. If this thread was too triggering I’ll have it deleted. My bad.

I'm afraid I posted like Scarface.
But I did refrain from grabbing my chainsaw to resolve the conflict.

 

[EliMelly]

I don’t think posts like this are a bad idea. On the off chance something happens someone won’t need to wait for replies and will be able to pull this up as a result.

 

[bluemon]

I don’t think posts like this are a bad idea. On the off chance something happens someone won’t need to wait for replies and will be able to pull this up as a result.

While I don’t disagree, the answers are always going to boil down to two things.

1. Disconnect the sump/ stop the rerun pump, and do a big water change

2. Add in a chemical you probably don’t have on hand in order to neutralize it.

And for 2 to be effective, you have to go out and get it which would take just as much time waiting answers for.

On the topic at hand, the internet says sodium thiosulfate might neutralize it?

It seems the byproducts are decent innocent for a reef tank, but Randy would know better. Oh and it can create chlorine gas so probably best to wear a mask and aerate the room

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I am surprised more ppl did not think of sodium thiosulfate. some hatcheries use bleach to sterilize NSW and then neutralize it with Sodium Thiosulfate. I am sure everyone has "water conditioner" around. But this is assuming it is standard disinfecting bleach and not the no splash stuff. That is a monster that you can't solve chemically as quickly.
There was also this from earlier this year.

Using Sodium Thiosulphate to neutralize Chlorine

@Randy Holmes-Farley I am looking to sterilize SW for culturing phytoplankton. I have run across discrepancies on amount of Sodium Thiosulphate solution (10% w/v) to use to neutralize the chlorine. Below is the recommendation I got from Grok which shows 2.68 ml to neutralize 50 ppm chlorine...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[bluemon]

I am surprised more ppl did not think of sodium thiosulfate. some hatcheries use bleach to sterilize NSW and then neutralize it with Sodium Thiosulfate. I am sure everyone has "water conditioner" around. But this is assuming it is standard disinfecting bleach and not the no splash stuff. That is a monster that you can't solve chemically as quickly.
There was also this from earlier this year.

Using Sodium Thiosulphate to neutralize Chlorine

@Randy Holmes-Farley I am looking to sterilize SW for culturing phytoplankton. I have run across discrepancies on amount of Sodium Thiosulphate solution (10% w/v) to use to neutralize the chlorine. Below is the recommendation I got from Grok which shows 2.68 ml to neutralize 50 ppm chlorine...

www.reef2reef.com

I don’t think many saltwater people carry the stuff, as RODI dechlorinates for us.

 

[VintageReefer]

I was not offended or triggered.

Just think you come up with some unique scenarios and threads. It’s not a bad thing. It’s educational. And sometimes they have funny moments.

 

[Lasse]

I am surprised more ppl did not think of sodium thiosulfate.

Its the active ingredients in many dechlorinating aquarium stuff

Another effective client against free chlorine and chloramines is ascorbic acid. You do not need much of it.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lasse]

as RODI dechlorinates for us.

Not sure of that - at least some chloramines will pass trough the membran and they are electrical uncharged - which means the DI filter will not take it either. In heavy chlorinated tap water - a post-treatment with sodium thiosulfate or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is preferable - IMO

Sincerely Lasse

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[Miami Reef]

Good morning, folks!

I thought you guys were upset at my idea.

Okay. I’m glad we are okay with the thread.


For those who said sodium thiosulfate. That was exactly what I thought you’d say. That’s what I would have said.

But I want to know the nitty gritty details. This is the heart of this thread:


1) How would you test to ensure the chlorine was sufficient removed?

2) How would you calculate the dose of thiosulfate needed?



…and most importantly, how will you deal with the ammonia produced from the thiosulfate?

 

[Baylott224]

Clorine test stripos the ones to test if your carbon block filter is sill working. Doesn't carbon take away chlorine. .and using something like seachem prime on rodi water will actually raise the tds a lot I tried this.

 

[Baylott224]

Mabye using alot of activated carbon

 

[Lasse]

This will solve the problem


But you can use Vitamin C instead - no NH4 as residue

C₆H₈O₆ + HClO → C₆H₆O₆ + HCl + H₂O

You can´t overdose Vitamin C as I see it - 1) may not be problem

it could serve as a labil DOC source though

Here is one calculation that say that you need around 2.5 mg/L ascorbic acid to neutralise 1mg/L active chlorine

Sincerely Lasse

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

If someone poured bleach into my sump it’s hasta la vista baby for that psycho. But I truly believe that I have a better chance at winning the lottery than someone performing this act.