Hally M. Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 I put eco complete in a empty tank for a few months and forgot about it with the lid on. It developed little bits of mold. I’m in need of some but can’t go out to get some currently. I would use soap but I don’t think it’s safe with that substrate. Should I throw it out or toss it in water thoroughly. Is it ok to use after I try and clean it or is that too risky? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hally M. Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 should I boil it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllFishNoBrakes Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Me personally, I wouldn’t chance it. If this happened to me I would consider it a lesson learned and a mistake to avoid in the future and start fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Is it cyanobacteria or mold? Photos might help us understand what's going on. I don't think most molds grow underwater, but I could totally be wrong. I've seen stuff like that on the trim, HoB, or lid before. Just remove it and clean things off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 You could probably soak it in peroxide or even try reverse respiration on it. I would fill the tank to about an inch over the substrate with seltzer and see what things look like after that. If that didn’t work, then fill to at least 1/2” over the substrate with 3% peroxide and water mixed 50:50 or a little heavier on the peroxide. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Good point @Odd Duck for a lot of mold on houseplants they spray them with peroxide to rid it of mold. Totally slipped my mind. Finally having my morning coffee. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hally M. Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 The thing I worry about with Eco Complete is it’s designed to hold onto fertilizer and things like that, so I worry with putting in chemicals it’ll take hold of it and It’ll leak into the tank. I tried washing it in water before taking a picture unfortunately, but it has white mold spore growing all over the gravel. They looked small and fuzzy. There wasn’t much water but there was enough that everything was a little submerged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Both seltzer and peroxide become just water as they dissipate. That’s why I suggested them as safe alternatives that would leave zero harmful chemicals behind. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Fish Den Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. I would do as @Odd Ducksuggested with either seltzer or peroxide and let sit for a day or two, fill the tank up, and use a gravel siphon to really clean the eco complete well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hally M. Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 Thank you, I appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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