Virkon Aquatic is a concentrated powder that when mixed with water forms a powerful cleaning and disinfecting solution with efficacy against fish viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Virkon® Aquatic is EPA registered (except in California where registration is pending) for disinfecting of environmental surfaces associated with aquaculture including vehicles (boats, trailers, autos, etc.), nets, boots, waders, dive suits, hoses, brushes, hard surfaces and other similar equipment. Virkon® Aquatic solution is fast acting, colorless, fragrance free, non corrosive, and non irritating which makes it the ultimate disinfectant for use in Aquatic applications. 

Benefits of Virkon® Aquatic solution include:

Effective - Kills Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Mold.

Fast acting - 10 minutes is maximum contact time needed.

Non corrosive - Safe for metals, neoprene, boots, netting, etc.

Non Irritating - Solutions are non Irritating to skin and eyes.

Minimal Environmental Effect -  The ingredients have been carefully selected for their ability to degrade quickly within the environment. 

Labeling - The EPA approved label specifically mentions approvals for use in Aquaculture and Aquatic Applications.

Virkon® Aquatic is the ultimate disinfectant for aquatic applications. It is independently prooven to be highly effective against significant aquatic pathogens and is used around the world. It is considered by many experts to be the best choice for reducing the spread of fish pathogens. As outlined in the Virkon® Aquatic MSDS, once the powder is mixed with water, the working solution is non-irritating to skin and eyes. This is a significant worker safety advantage over many other disinfectants. Before mixing into solution, the power is corrosive and irritating so please follow label directions. MSDS sheets for both Virkon® Aquatic powder, and Virkon® solution are available in the blue box above.

Who is Using Virkon Aquatic to reduce the spread of disease ?

• Fisheries Biologists and field staff are using Virkon® Aquatic to disinfect boats, trailers, waders, nets, sampling equipment, and other gear when moving between water bodies.
• Sport Fishers are using Virkon® Aquatic to disinfect boats, fishing tackle, nets, and other fishing gear when moving between lakes and streams. Some lake managers are now recommending boat and trailer disinfection to prevent the spread of fish diseases. Virkon® Aquatic is prooven effective at killing viruses, bacteria, fungus and mold. The Michigan Lakes and Streams Association is providing information on setting up disinfection stations to help reduce the spread of the fish pathogens. More information on these disinfection stations can be found at the Michigan Lakes and Streams website by clicking on Watercraft Disinfection Station. We are please to have a new Virkon® Aquatic distributor for lake application companies and lake associations in the Midwest. We are pleased that Cygnet Enterprises Inc. will be providing Virkon® Aquatic and the necessary services for lake applicators and lake associations in the Midwest States.  If you are a lake applicator or lake association, please contact  Cygnet Enterprises to discuss how you can purchase Virkon® Aquatic.

•  Aquaculture & fish hatchery staff are using Virkon® Aquatic to disinfect hard surfaces, nets, brushes, tanks, waders, dive suits, and other fish rearing equipment. It is increasingly being used to disinfect fish hauling trucks and it is a welcome alternative to bleach or Iodophor disinfectants.  Some hatcheries place totes (or drums) of Virkon® Aquatic solution  near the raceways to allow brushes, nets, etc to be disinfected between uses. These facilities also use Virkon® Aquatic  in disinfecting / sanitizing foot baths to prevent pathogens from being spread via contaminated shoes and boots. Spray bottles of Virkon® Aquatic solution are sometimes placed strategically within a hatchery to allow staff to disinfect by spraying down waders when moving between areas.
• Virkon® Aquatic is being used in Zoos, Theme Parks and Public Aquariums to reduce the spread of pathogens within these facilities. Uses include disinfection of wet suits, vehicles, nets, display area, and equipment. Virkon® Aquatic contains no perfume or dye which is preferred by some staff in these facilities.

Following are some sites which reference the use of Virkon® Aquatic:

The North Central Regional Aquaculture Center,  Michigan Dept of Natural Resources,  Michigan DNR VHS Briefing Paper,  Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources,  Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Maryland Inland Fisheries 

What concentration of Virkon® Aquatic should I use ? - Virkon® Aquatic  solutions are produced by mixing Virkon® Aquatic power into water. Working solution strengths are normally  .5, 1.0, 2.0. or 3.0% with the 1.0% concentration being used most often.  See Virkon®  Aquatic, USA Label- Directions and Virkon®  Aquatic, General Directions. Each 10 lb. tub of Virkon® Aquatic will make 123 gallons of 1.0% solution, or 246 gallons of .5% solution.

How is a 1% solution mixed: If you are using the single use packets, simply add the contents of one packet into one gallon of water, this Will create a 1% solution. If you are using Virkon Aquatic from a Tub, use the scoop provided and add one scoopful to 1 gallon of water to create a 1% solution. 

How does Virkon® Aquatic compare to Bleach?  Household bleach, and 12.5% sodium hypochlorite are commonly for use for disinfection purposes and although the cost is low, these may not always be the best options. Unlike Virkon® Aquatic, bleach is corrosive, unstable, irritating, and rapidly inactivated by organic matter. More information on the comparison of Virkon® and Bleach is available at Bleach vs. Virkon®.  Virkon® Aquatic ships as a NON hazardous product.

How long does Virkon® Aquatic solution remain active? - Virkon® Aquatic solutions are colorless and orderless and gradually loose activity over time. The Virkon® Aquatic label states that solutions are stable for at least 7 days while some fish hatchery staff are reporting activity lasting for up to 2-3 weeks. Actual solution life will vary and is reduced by exposure to organics and UV light. VIRKON® TEST STRIPS are an effective and convenient tool for ensuring that Virkon® solutions are maintained at the desired strength.  

Virkon® Aquatic is an important component of any Biosecurity program.

Virkon® Aquatic has been available in the United States since April of 2007 and it is increasingly becoming the disinfectant of choice for use at fish hatcheries, aquaculture facilities, research laboratories, public aquariums and zoos. It is also increasingly being used for field disinfecting of biological sampling gear, recreational water craft and boots & waders etc.  There are many disinfectants that kill pathogens but there are few that are specifically designed for, and EPA approved for use in aquatic applications. The Virkon® Aquatic label (see label above) is extensive and specifically addresses the approved uses for aquaculture and aquatic applications.

Virkon® Aquatic is EPA registered (except in California where EPA registration is in process). 

Virkon® Aquatic solution is ideal for use in disinfecting / sanitizing foot mats. Do you find that people sometimes step over, or around, your iodine or chlorine filled sanitizing foot mats? Try colorless, fragrance free, non-irritating Virkon® Aquatic solution instead. Posting a “Foot Bath / Hand Wash” biosecurity sign nearby will also encourage pedestrians to actually use disinfecting foot baths.  Western Chemical offers a full line of Biosecurity supplies which includes Virkon® Aquatic, VIRKON® TEST STRIPS, disinfecting foot mats, biosecurity signs, PURELL hand wash stations, Purell® antibacterial hand cleansers, and more. All of these items can be used to make your facility more biosecure.

What is the difference between Virkon® Aquatic and Virkon®-S in the USA?   Virkon® Aquatic was first made available in the USA in May of 2007 and it is specifically designed for use in aquaculture while Virkon®-S is designed for use in the production of poultry, swine, and other types of agriculture.  Virkon® Aquatic does not contain an indicator dye or perfume as found in Virkon®-S. The dye and perfume have been removed to make the product more suitable for use around fish and other aquatic life. According to a statement from DuPont™, Virkon® Aquatic has a formulation based on the same active ingredients as Virkon®-S but inert ingredients which are designed for use in aquatic applications.There are also important EPA labeling differences between Virkon® Aquatic and Virkon®-S. The EPA approved label for Virkon® Aquatic contains expanded aquaculture claims and applications and is EPA approved for use in aquaculture. Virkon®-S is no longer recommended for use in aquaculture and its label will no longer carry EPA approval for aquaculture claims. Read entire DuPont™ statement at: "How Virkon® Aquatic differs from Virkon®-S".

For additional documentation and information visit:  More Information on Virkon Aquatic