given used tank

[Briarmoor]

A friend's heater went wacko about a year ago and killed her fish in her 20 gallon tank. She'd kept fish for about 12 years and said that was enough and that I could have her tank if I wanted. Tank has gravel, plastic plants, lights, etc just no fish and won't have any until it's cycled.

Couple of questions...

Should I sterilize this tank in case there is leftover disease or other bad stuff in it still? I know at one time she had a lot of algae, but don't remember her talking about Ich, etc. If I were to sterilize the tank, I was reading that bleach was the way to go. Opinions? Or just rinse with tap water and set it up to cycle?

This tank has an undergravel filter. Should I set this up or skip it and just buy a new outside filter? Or use both? I see that my LFS uses both methods and sometimes a power head also.

Pam in TN

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

you could use bleach but you'd have to rinse and rinse and rinse to get it all out

not sure on the ingredients of bleach though so id wait for 2nd opinions

 

[Briarmoor]

you could use bleach but you'd have to rinse and rinse and rinse to get it all out

not sure on the ingredients of bleach though so id wait for 2nd opinions

Would you think it necessary to disinfect/sterilize it before starting it up to cycle? Whether I use bleach or something else?

 

[Tolak]

I'd wipe it down with a bleach/water mixture, and hose it good outside.

Undergravel filters are messy, the filth that build up underneath the plates is incrediby nasty. The only way to clean this out is to tear down the tank. Get the hob filter, easier to clean, better filtration.

Tolak

 

[Briarmoor]

I'd wipe it down with a bleach/water mixture, and hose it good outside.

Undergravel filters are messy, the filth that build up underneath the plates is incrediby nasty. The only way to clean this out is to tear down the tank. Get the hob filter, easier to clean, better filtration.

Tolak

Would you keep the gravel it came with or pitch it? I'll wipe everything else down with the bleach/water mixture and rinse it really good. The gravel is an okay size, nothing wrong with it, just wondered if I could really disinfect it very well.

I'll nix the undergravel filter and get a good outside one. Thanks!

Pam in TN

 

[The-Wolf]

I would boil the gravel for at least 30mins, this will kill any bacteria and parasites that maybe present.

 

[annka5]

personally, I'd ditch the gravel, as it should cost little to replace and therefore not really worth the risk.
Also, I'd get a thermometer as well as heater + thermostat

 

[BigC]

Ditch the gravel and wash out with warm water and cooking salt.