Ebay Tank.... Is It Clean?

[bigfish-smallpond]

Hi.... my new tank was a previously owned ebay win.. i'm a little concerned about any diseases that may be carried on it from the previous owner...or more to the point... from his sick fish! apparently most of his fish died suddenly. Tank been empty for three months.... but filter was still damp inside.... should i be worried??? if so... whats the next step

 

[Comacchio]

Buy new filter media, thoroughly clean the tank with hot hot hot water.

 

[Tolak]

1 part bleach, 20 parts water on the tank & filter components other than media. Rinse well after cleaning, double up on dechlorinator for the first fill. Get new media, substrate, and anything that may be absorbent, such as driftwood.

 

[Aqua Tom]

& test it for leaks first

 

[creeker]

Buy new filter media, thoroughly clean the tank with hot hot hot water.

I'd be afraid of blowing the sealant or cracking if it's a glass tank. I like Tolak's weak bleach solution idea better.

 

[alysonpeaches]

Buy new filter media, thoroughly clean the tank with hot hot hot water.

I'd be afraid of blowing the sealant or cracking if it's a glass tank. I like Tolak's weak bleach solution idea better.

Clean it with hot salt water, rinse, clean with water and methylene blue (kills any disease that may be lurking). Rinse. Any stubborn marks can be helped with white vinegar, but rinse, rinse, rinse. One way to do it is get it on the lawn and use a hosepipe. Most of my tanks have been second hand and I have never had a problem with residual diseases.

 

[mike455555]

+1 for cleaning it and new media

 

[bigfish-smallpond]

Cheers for all the responses..... from these i am formulating a plan of attack ... nearly

Will def fill tank tmoz ...outside.... dont fancy that leaking all over lounge floor ......

New filter media on its way courtesy of ebay nice n cheap!

gravel def being changed,,,, the stuff that came with it was ghastly!... fit for concrete,,,,, unless anyone wants it foc?

Drift wood gone to next doors dog to chew... he liked it ... wooof!


Think i will wipe n scrub with hot hot hot water to start with,,,,, dont fancy a crack or melted aquarium sealant

not sure about bleach or meth blue??? doesnt meth blue stain the sealant??

 

[mike455555]

you would be safe with bleach if you used decloro after (bleach is chlorine or a type of it) so you should be safe

 

[Tolak]

Yes, meth blue will stain sealant, along with skin.

 

[ShaedM]

bleach?? i thought using chemicals was a very bad idea..

 

[Tolak]

Chlorine bleach is the same as chlorine in your water supply when it comes to fish. Been using it on tanks for years, most often hatching & fry tanks. As long as you know what you are dealing with it isn't an issue, an older discussion concerning bleach can be found here.

Most of my tanks are used, and have been cleaned with bleach, if not something stronger. It just comes down to knowing what you are using, and how to use it.

 

[ShaedM]

why is it my photo wont appear under my name like yours does? you're a mod, maybe you can help

 

[Tolak]

why is it my photo wont appear under my name like yours does? you're a mod, maybe you can help

Might be a resize deal, let me check.

 

[ShaedM]

thank you. let me know when it's done.