Disinfecting Fish Nets

[lkc]

I have searched and found no answer to this. Is there a home remedy I can mix up to dip my fish nets in to disinfect them? Bleach will probably ruin them so, anyone? I've got ammonia, vinegar............Really hot water?

Thanks.

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

The best solution to truely sterilize the nets is to use what's known as Virkon Disinfectant....it's not cheap though ($88 for a 10lb bucket that would last the hobbyist a long while). There is another option, but not as effective. Benzolkonium Chloride. That can be found here: www.4fishstuff.com

-Ryan

[Carolina discus]

PP soak....then rinse with Hydro Perox and water......

[DerekFF]

Im not sure really sure what the best way is, but ive used bleach+hot water and soaked for a little bit and just made sure i washed it out REALLY well after. I've also used just a hot salt dip. I didn't make it an exact science on how much salt i used, however I hear that anything over 5% is good for killing a lot of fungus/parasites/disease. I usually soak for 15-30minutes

[DerekFF]

i missed the decimal in my last post. It is supposed to be .5% salt concentration. Eddie put a link about using salt for aquariums. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VM007

[DiscusOnly]

I dip mine in a buck of water mixed with chlorine. Rinse and then put in a 2nd container with water with prime added.

[tdiscusman]

I soak mine in a solution of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide + water 50/50.
Tony

[David Rose]

I have searched and found no answer to this. Is there a home remedy I can mix up to dip my fish nets in to disinfect them? Bleach will probably ruin them so, anyone? I've got ammonia, vinegar............Really hot water?

Thanks.

There are always options...

1) Potassium Permaganate (sold at Sears)
2) Benzalkonium Chloride
3) 1:20 Bleach
4) Rubbing Alcohol
5) Hydrogen Peroxide
6) I've heard of some folks freezing items in a baggy

[Rod]

200ppm clorine here. Won't damage normal grade nylon nets even if you continuously leave in bucket, but those fine soft white ones it will. I dip those then rinse in freshwater and let air dry.

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

Forgot to add in a link regarding the Virkon:
http://www.wchemical.com/VIRKON-AQUATIC-P44C11.aspx (scroll down for info)

-Ryan

[Eddie]

I use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray them down, till they are soaked and then rinse or air dry and rinse.


Eddie

[Jhhnn]

Old school methods include saturated salt solutions and aquarisol. Neither one needs rinsing. I put the nets I've acquired with used aquariums thru the dishwasher along with filter parts that fit, leaving the heated dry feature off...

[tdiscusman]

...
1) Potassium Permaganate (sold at Sears)
...

Hi David,

PP are sold at Sears under what brand name? and what department can you find it in?

Thanks
Tony

[David Rose]

Hi David,

PP are sold at Sears under what brand name? and what department can you find it in?

Thanks
Tony

Hi Tony,

Kenmore found in the de-humidifier/pool supply section.

[tcyiu]

Old school methods include saturated salt solutions and aquarisol. Neither one needs rinsing. I put the nets I've acquired with used aquariums thru the dishwasher along with filter parts that fit, leaving the heated dry feature off...

+1 vote for old school method.

As Jhhnn said, the key benefit is that salt dipped nets do NOT need to be treated to be put back into your tanks. You won't harm your fish if, in an emergency you grab the net out of the dip. And salt will not destroy the nets like Hydrogen Peroxide or Bleach.

As for concentration, I would go for much more than 0.5%. Think of it this way, pathogens can live in sea water. You want to go for Dead Sea-like concentrations to make sure nothing lives.

Tim