How To Clean An Infected Tank?

[xxshatteredsoul]

Hello,

I aquiered a tank from a friend who neglected the tank so to speak. The tank has this white crust is the best I can desribe it. It's very tough to scrape off I am unsure how to clean this it is mostly on the glass where the light sits on top of the tank but it is in other places too. The filter is very dirty and I don't know how to get inside of it to clean. I am just looking for recomedations on what to do to make sure I don't carry any diseases or dirtyness when I start the tank back up. I got the gravel and plants, decorations, light, filter everything what is my best option for this 30 gallon tank. Thanks!

 

[drobbyb]

You could use bleach. At 1 part bleach to ten parts water ratio is sufficient to sterilize. Be sure to use care when cleaning the seals though.

 

[xxshatteredsoul]

Just normal bleach I use for washing whites in the wash machine? How safe is this I don't want to have a bunch of dead fish when I start the tank after cycling due to not all the bleach getting out or is it pretty easy to clean out?

 

[Tolak]

White deposits that are almost rock like are just that, lime. Vinegar usually does a good job of removing them, but in severe cases the glass can be permanently etched. This looks bad when the tank is empty, but in many cases almost disappears when the tank is filled. Vinegar & a plastic scrubber usually takes care of it.

Bleach is fine when used properly, it's chlorine, the same as your water supplier adds. Rinse well after cleaning with a bleach/water mix, and double up on dechlorinator when you fill it.

You want the cheapest bleach you can find, the type with no soap added. I do this with tanks on a regular basis, and have yet to encounter any problems.

 

[pippoodle]

last time i did this i used shops own value brand crappy thin bleach - worked perfectly

 

[xxshatteredsoul]

Ok thank you very much all for the responces. I will have to go buy some bleach and work on cleaning the tank later today .

 

[DJ Day 1]

You could use bleach. At 1 part bleach to ten parts water ratio is sufficient to sterilize. Be sure to use care when cleaning the seals though.

would this bleach solution be ok to sterilize algae 'stained' ornaments?