Potassium permanganate
From The Aquarium Wiki
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[edit] What is it
Potassium permanganate is a compound that is used by aquarists for the disinfecting of plants or ornaments before placement into aquariums, it is used to remove organic build-up in tank water, kill bacteria and fungus. It is also employed to treat some parasites that infect fish.
Potassium permanganate is the chemical compound KMnO4. The salt is also known as "permanganate of potash" and "Condy's crystals". The permanganate ion is a strong oxidizing agent. It dissolves in water to give deep purple/pink solutions, evaporation of which gives prismatic purple-black glistening crystals (see picture below).
- Potassium permanganate stains the hand and clothing and should be handled with care. Clothing stains may be washed away using acetic acid. Skin stains disappear within 48 hours.
- To remove stains caused by potassium permananate, remove with a solution of Sodium metabisulfite/Sodium metabisulphite. This is a food preservative called E223 that can be found at a grocery or Home brewing Beer shop.
- It is sold in pharmacy or chemist shops over the counter and is usually supplied in the form of a small container of around 25g consisting of small blue crystals. It's usually less than £1, 1 Euro, 2 US Dollars.
- TIP: To aid accurate dosage, a stock solution of one gram per litre of clean water (preferably distilled or de-ionized water could be used, giving 1mg potassium permanganate per ml of water.
- TIP: Potassium permanganate rapidly loses its ability when exposed to light and air. So keep any solution you make up well away from light and in a air tight container. Ensure you clearly mark any such container as poison and keep it well away from children. Dispose of carefully after 2-3 months.
[edit] Plant disinfecting
To prepare for the disinfecting of aquatic plants, prepare 1 litre of luke warm (25C) clean tap water and drop 10mg of crystals into it and stir until the solution turns deep blue/purple.
Be careful as this solution will stain and is toxic to life.
Dip the leafs of the plant into the solution for 10 minutes, being careful not to dip the roots of the plant in it.
Then rinse off throughly.
This will kill snail eggs and parasites.
[edit] Fish treatment
Potassium permanganate can be used to treat parasites on individual fish. It will eliminate anchor worms, fish lice, flukes, ich, cotton mouth, fungus and many types of bacteria. Prepare 8L (2.1 US G.) of water at aquarium temperature and add 1/8 teaspoon (0.6g) of crystals.
- Stir until dissolved.
- Dip fish into solution for 5 minutes. if fish looks stressed, remove at once.
- Dip fish into clean water for a few seconds to rinse.
[edit] Tank treatment
Potassium permanganate is an effective anti-parasite treatment (Ick, etc.) as well as removing odours from tanks and increasing the redox potential of the water.
However as this compound is very toxic, using the wrong dosage will result in killing all life in the tank. Please read this excellent article on how to get the safe dosage on FishDoc.co.uk.
- Biological filtration systems should be removed before applying.
- This compound works best with little or no light.
[edit] Removing odours
The build-up of odours in old aquariums is caused by the decay of organic material. To reduce the smell, place 3 crystals into a small container and add 50ml of warm water. Stir carefully until the water is deep purple and the crystals are fully dissolved. Then using great care add 5ml slowly into your aquarium and repeat. Stop adding as soon as you see the overall tank water stained very light pink. A 30L (7.9 US G.) tank may only require 5-10ml.
Switch off the tank lights (Potassium permanganate rapidly becomes neutralised in light) and ensure the tank is aerated well for the next 12 hours. Then turn on the lights (don't be surprised if the light pink colour has gone) and don't apply any more for a further 12 hours. Reapply after a further 24 hours have passed.
- This slow deliberate action will remove the organic matter causing the smell and will increase the ability of the water to hold more oxygen.
- Smell the water after 48 hours have passed and re-apply if necessary. Depending on the condition of the tank it can take 2 or more applications before you notice an improvement.
[edit] Images
 Typical sized crystals |
[edit] External Links
- Safety Sheet - read this!
- Safe Dosage FishDoc
- Wikipedia
