Setting Up An Old Tank

[raeven]

My step-dad gave me his old tank today. He hasn't used it in years, and with my new addiction to the whole fish world, there was obviously going to be some better use for it in my house.

So yeah. I have his old tank now that I remember from like 10 years ago. I don't see any scratches or anything so far, although I'm a little worried about how gross it might be in there. Comes with a filter, heater, and lighting system.

From what I can tell, it's just gravel and a few misc. descorations inside, though considering how long it's been out of commision, I'm wondering what sort of measures I should take in cleaning it up. Obviously a good wipe down and a washing of gravel, as well as a new filter sponge just to be safe. But should I go as far as bleaching the inside and so on? I'm very hesitant on using something as extreme as that. I don't want any left over residue or anything left behind accidently.


**Actually, scratch the filter part. I think I'm going to buy a new one. Now that I look at it, it's pretty gross, and I don't want to deal with washing out all the nooks and crannies.**

[Ursus sapien]

Love is blind, but pathogens aren't. Set up a bucket with bleach water. take the filter apart and drop everything submersible into the bleach. Do the same with any furniture from the tank, even drift wood. Go back 2 hours later for the filter and rinse off the loose bits; resubmerse in the bleach for a while longer. Bleach the tank. Get new substrate.

[Discus]

One more thing is you want to make sure that this tank will not collaspe after you fill it up. Fill it up and if its ok after 24 hours with no leaks then proceed with the cleaning.

[effox]

One more thing is you want to make sure that this tank will not collaspe after you fill it up. Fill it up and if its ok after 24 hours with no leaks then proceed with the cleaning.

Yep, I did that before I sanitized it just to make sure. Pulled a tank out of my crawlspace after 10+ years of non-use.

Gotta make sure that silicon is still good.

Cheers,
Chris

[Elle]

A mild bleach solution won't hurt anything if you rinse it thoroughly and let it dry afterwards. I'm paranoid about bleach and I do a second rinse with vinegar. I'd take every single item out and disinfect, throw the gravel in a bucket, disinfect that and then just let a hose run in the bucket to rinse it out for 5-10 minutes.

If the tank has been sitting for a long time, def do a test fill. Indoor tidal waves are bad.

[big_bubba_B]

i would use vinegar to be safe mostly i would use a pressure washer if you have access to it . and yes fill it up check the seals see if any leaks . curious how big it is

[2wheelsx2]

If you're paranoid about bleach just use dechlorinator afterwards, but chlorine is so volatile that air drying it will remove all traces of it, or even a good rinse.

[Scherb]

I would use bleach, and then rinse well. i like to refill & use some water conditioner to remove any bleach leftover. the water conditioner property that removes chlorine will also remove bleach. and then air it out. i have done it this way a few times and never had a problem. Cheers

[mikebike]

If you want to come to S Surrey I can give you a water bottle full of Aqua Plus water conditioner/chlorine remover for rinsing out the tank and starting the tank
Call me if interested
Mike 604 53five 9063

[gklaw]

use a pressure washer if you have access to it

That's seem excessive to me My pressure washer will blow a 33g to pieces

I razor blade and magic clean the tanks and rinse, that's it. Glass and plexi should not be good media for bacteria to cling on. Bleach filter and accessories and then soak for a few days with clean water just to get the bleach smell out. Never bleached my substrates - I guess there is no harm doing that either. Seems like a lot of work to the lazy me.