Cage washers and detergents

[Richard Kollmar]

Dear All:

I would like to put used tanks, nets, etc. after mechanical cleaning through the cage washer of our animal facility for sanitization. I am worried, though, about the detrimental effects of detergents on fish health. My previous institution had enough fish and frog labs to make it worthwhile draining the cage washer once a week to sanitize our equipment without detergent. In my new institution, this is unlikely to happen since I am the only aquatics user and the cage washer is already in use every day. Does anyone have suggestions or experience how to deal with this situation? I really don't want to have to resort to bleaching.

Thanks for any help,

Richard

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Please Note New Adress:

Richard Kollmar, Ph.D.

Visiting Associate Professor

Dpt. of Cell Biology, BSB 3-65, Box 5 

SUNY Downstate Medical Center

450 Clarkson Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11203

Tel. 718-221-6559 (office)

Tel. 718-221-6563 (lab)

FAX 718-270-3732