Using soap

[InfInIty13X]

Can I use anti-bacterial hand soap to clean the walls and floor of my tank? I've read not to but then how am I supposed to disinfect it? Bleach seems way more harsh than hand soap.

[John]

Don't use hand soap. Use a weak bleach solution, just rinse well after using it. Personally I only resort to bleach over water and elbow grease when there's a very good reason (such as a disease spreading risk).

[InfInIty13X]

So if I hose it out real good I'll be okay without using any soap or bleach?

[John]

After the bleach yes.

[Kurt]

And do the sniff test before putting the animals back in. If you can smell the bleach, you're not done rinsing.

[SludgeMunkey]

Myself, I use Plain old Iodized table salt and a small amount of warm water for heavy duty scrubbing. For hard water film from misting with spring water, I use vinegar and a Scotch Brite pad.