How do I clean the tank?

[Phreaxer]

I have a tank I just got today from a friend. I has been sitting dry in his garage for a couple months, and I was wondering how I can clean it before I put water and start to cycle it... I was thinking of using a little bleach and makign sure to clean it really really well... is that a bad idea? thanks

 

[mrV]

Is there any fish-disease in his garage? Probably not... Just rinse it well, you can use alittle hand-wash-stuff (dish-wash) to clean oil etc... After that rinse it very well.

 

[Starry^]

def dont use any kind of soapsor bleach!, as even the slightest bit of residue can be harmful to your fish.
Use a strong solution of salt and water to sterilise the tank and clean it of any nasties you can buy proper fish salt for tanks at your LFS, if u cant get any, normal salt will do, just rinse very thoroughly.



Starry^

 

[dolphin]

Hi Phreaxer

You can use bleach to clean the tank (diluted). You have to be make sure that you rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, when you think you have rinsed it enough, rinse it again and again. Get the picture.

Salt soloution is good at sterilising a tank as well. You have to make it a strong soloution. 1Kg of salt per 10 galls.



Dolphin

 

[Pufferpack]

...hmmm, this post got me wondering, would it be advisable to steam clean a tank? Say with a portable steamer that has never had chemicals?

 

[semper fi]

you could use a steam cleaner but if the tank is that cruddy that you would have to go with those means would use the salt method.

semper fi

 

[Phreaxer]

Ok, sounds like I have a way to do it properly now. Thank you for the advice. I truely appreciate all the help I am getting with all my questions

 

[Pufferpack]

Thanks semper fi, was just a random thought

 

[-=DG=-]

Be careful if your gonna use steam. Cos if you spend 5 minutes steaming the tank clean and then hose the tank, you'll most likely crack it. This is what my dad did to a tank he had!!!

Also i dunno what that steam will do to the silicon seals?

 

[ostrow]

the seals may not like the steam. i'd stick to bleach myself. and rinse like a madman.

 

[impur]

I've read white vinegar is excellect for cleaning tanks. Just be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse. I'm sure that part of the process is embedded pretty good by now eh.