How Do I Clean My Tank?

[Timberview]

I just got a used 30 gallon fish tank from a flee market. How do I clean it or sterlize it?

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

A 19:1 Concentration of plain household bleach and a huge amount of rinsing. Should kill any bacteria or other pathogens that are lurking in the edges. Make sure to fill it to the top and clean all the surfaces. It will also let you see if the seams are still watertight.

 

[Timberview]

wont bleach harm the fish?

 

[Teelie]

Bleach will oxidize out of the tank once it's dry so it should be safe if there are no other additives. I prefer to use vinegar myself. It's nontoxic and won't cause any harm to the tank.

 

[kewskills]

Bleach will oxidize out of the tank once it's dry so it should be safe if there are no other additives. I prefer to use vinegar myself. It's nontoxic and won't cause any harm to the tank.

nice tip teelie, hadn't thought of that way to clean an old tank

 

[Teelie]

Just do it in a well ventilated area. Vinegar can have quite a potent smell to it.

 

[dwarfgourami]

The bleach I use is chlorine-based, so I wash the tank out afterwards with lots of water, dechlorinator. The latter is probably unnecessary as chlorine should evaporate anyway.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

If you rinse out the tank plenty of times then you will have no problems. Make sure that you do not dry it with a cloth but stand it upside down. rinse with de-ionised water, let it air dry and you will have a pristine tank.

 

[Timberview]

Can I use White Vinegar?

 

[Timberview]

??

 

[Teelie]

Should be fine. I've used it before with no problems. Wash it out with water afterwards if you feel like it though IMO it isn't necessary.

 

[Timberview]

Ok Thanks So Much