Cleaning Question: A Used Tank

[randyttp]

We just got a new 20gal from a friend. We know he had some health issues with it and we wanted to make sure its completly clean when we start out the Fishless Cycle.... any Do's or Donts to cleaning it out?

We dont think we should be using any soaps... but is just hot water enough to kill anything harmful??? thanks for reading.

 

[bogwood]

Use Pure Ammonia... (as you will be adding Pure Ammonia anyway when you do your 'fishless' cycle?!)...

 

[glolite]

Yeah I agree with above but I'd clean it with hot water first and as you say no soap definitely as it's lethal to fish. Don't forget to wear gloves when using ammonia to clean and add it to warm rather than hot water as the fumes will then be less pungent.

 

[monkeyman]

No soap? To be honest i have heard that you can use househould BLEACH to clean a tank that has been infected with something... There is however 3 words you need to know after using bleach. RINSE, RINSE & (you guessed it) RINSE.

 

[tttnjfttt]

If you do use bleach, after rinsing like crazy, i always add a massive dose of dechlorinator and let it sit for a while, as the dechlorinator will also help remove some bleach

 

[Tolak]

1 part bleach to 20 parts water. Rinse well afterwards.

 

[jolaf]

Cool Site Tolak thanks for the link

1 part bleach to 20 parts water. Rinse well afterwards.