Help With Cleaning A Contaminated Tank

[IreneChen]

Hi I'm new to this hobby and I am having issues with my life tank
All my fishes died from what I believe was a fungus infection. I had a beta fish for over a year and he was perfectly fine until I brought some cardinal tetras which I believe we're sick and it killed my beta and all the cardinal are dead too. Now I want to clean my tank completely before adding new fish and I understand i would have to start the cycling again.
I want to know how can I decontaminate my Eco complete and live plants. Or any tips/suggestions on how can I clean my tank so I can start all over

 

[HarpyFishLover]

I'm new as well. I have read some articles though, and what I have learned is DO NOT use bleach, I believe that a mixture of half-vinegar-half-water will work. Don't quote me though ☺

 

[IreneChen]

I'm new as well. I have read some articles though, and what I have learned is DO NOT use bleach, I believe that a mixture of half-vinegar-half-water will work. Don't quote me though ☺

Can i also use this to clean my live plants or they will die

 

[HarpyFishLover]

I'm not quite sure... I THINK it will work, but if it were me I would try a more diluted mixture, like for every cup of vinegar do two cups of water.

 

[fluttermoth]

Your decor and plants are extremely unlikely to be harbouring any infections.

If the tank has been empty of fish for a while, you might need to start cycling again, but some bacteria might have survived to give you a kick start.

 

[SherLar]

   Vinegar is an acid. You can use a diluted mixture to clean your tank, artificial ornaments, and rocks, etc, but be sure you rinse it well.
   I agree with fluttermoth, in that your plants are unlikely to harbor any bacteria or fungal spores, but the crevices and hiding places in your decor may. Certain types of bacteria, and most types of fungal spores can remain in dormant stasis for a very long time, a
then burst into full, glorious life when the right conditions exist.
   They do make chemical cleaners which are supposed to be safe for fish and plants. I always have a bit of trepidation when using chemicals, but they may help.
   Also, as fluttermoth said, you'll likely have to cycle your tank again.

 

[StevenF]

 
 
Vinegar is an acid. You can use a diluted mixture to clean your tank

The vinegar you get in the store is 5% acedic acid and 95% water.  Why dilute it?  Also vinegar occures naturally in the environment.  Meaning there some are bacteria and microscopic animals (vinegar eels) that have evolved a natural immunity  to it.  As a result It is not a good sterilizing agent.  Vinegar would be my last choice for cleaning a contaminated tank.  
 

 
 
I have learned is DO NOT use bleach

With all things there is a right way and wrong way to use it.  The wrong way is to use it in an established tank with animals and fish in it.  However if you do it right it will safely clean and sterilize a contaminated tank.  
 
Step 1, get plain bleach with no smells, perfumes,  or sufactants added.
 
Step 2, remove all porous materials, wood, foam, substrate,  from the tank as well as all plants and animals.
 
Step 3, Empty the filter or pump of all its filtering media, charcoal, and sponges and discard them.  
 
Step 3,  Now you should just have a tank with a empty pump filter, heater, hose, and maybe a thermometer.  
 
Step 4, Clean it with the bleach.  Make sure all dirt or grime gets washed out and discarded.  
 
Step 5, rinse the tank thoroughly several times.  
 
That will insure the tank, pump, empty filter, heater , hose and thermometer are sterilized and free of bleach residue and sterilized.  If you want to be extra sure there is no bleach left in the aquarium, fill it with Backing soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) and water.  Sodium bicarbonate and is a strong base and bleach is a strong acid.  The two will react with each other leaving only salt (sodium chloride) behind.  Again rinse out the tank thoroughly .

 

[StevenF]

 
 
Your decor and plants are extremely unlikely to be harbouring any infections.

 
Many aquariums are infested with small pond snails.  Many plants have them when they are purchased and then placed in the aquarium.  Snails can carry parasites and diseases.  So the subject of dips for plants is common subject on fish forums.  For snails dips of salt, bleach, alum, and potassium permanganate are commonly discussed.  Google search will also show Hydrogen peroxide is commonly discussed in regards to algae on plants.  The key with all of these is to dilution and how long you expose the plant to it.  before rinsing it with clean water.   If you don't dilute it enough or dip the plant for too long, could kill it.  Do it right and you greatly reduce the likely hood of a plant infecting your aquarium.  
 
Unfortunately I have no experience with plant dips,  and yes I have pond snails, I didn't want, in my my aquarium.  

 

[Essjay]

Step 1, get plain bleach with no smells, perfumes,  or sufactants added.

 
If you can't find plain bleach, try babies' bottle sterilising fluid. That is just plain bleach, though in a more expensive format.