Cleaning A Second Hand Tank

[1234-fishy-freind]

Hi guys.
I am about to get a new sump for my tank some time next week I think. It is about twice the size of the one I currently have which is much more convinent for me.
Anyway, the sump is 2nd hand. It has previously been used on a coldwater setup.
What would be the best way to go about cleaning it ready for my tank?

Josh

 

[xxBarneyxx]

A lot of people use diluted bleach to clean their tank (cant remember how much you need to dilute it off the top of my head). If you do this though make sure it is very well rinsed out. I personally would also fill it with RO water and leave it for a day or two to try and leach anything out of the seals (not sure if this actually works or not to be honest though ).

 

[TigerIssey]

After using the bleach and before using RO, I would put some tap water in there and use a double dose of dechlorinator, then leave it to soak for a while.

 

[Truck]

ammonia works well and is safe if some remains

 

[ben1987]

i just use warm water and elbow greese

 

[Truck]

elbow greese

would you be kind enough to tell me where i can find this?

lol

 

[ben1987]

does you LFS not stock it then?

 

[Truck]

does you LFS not stock it then?

 

[TigerIssey]

Warm water and elbow grease great if the tank just dirty. If you want to sterilise it go for ammonia or bleach.

I have some great elbow grease here, its name is Andrew and he is 6ft 3". Does not always do as told though, training needed!!

Edit missed part of word out

 

[seffieuk]

elbow greese

would you be kind enough to tell me where i can find this?

lol

Truck it can be found by the 'sky hook' next to the 'long wait'

Seffie x

 

[Truck]

elbow greese

would you be kind enough to tell me where i can find this?

lol

Truck it can be found by the 'sky hook' next to the 'long wait'

Seffie x

lol i was joking btw

 

[kj23502]

Ski said he goes straight for muriatic acid

Vinegar works to some extent.

 

[SkiFletch]

I do go straight for muriatic acid, why mess around? Acids are less problematic than oxidizers like bleach and are not toxic like ammonia is. And even if you have a little bit of it that rinsing didn't remove, the exceptional buffering capacity of seawater will neutralize it quickly. And since Muriatic acid is HCl, a few extra chloride ions won't be a problem in a seawater solution which is full of them already . Vinegar can pose a problem is Acetate can be used by bacteria along with Oxygen, depleting O2 levels in the tank and causing a crash.

There are methods to my madness

Just be careful with Muriatic acid, it's pretty caustic to both your fingers and lungs, so dilute it, don't breathe it in, and wear gloves

 

[kj23502]

I used vinegar to get the old coraline crusty's off my pumps Hope I rinsed good.

 

[SkiFletch]

You'd know within a day