Just Got A Used Tank...

[keri578]

So I got this used tank on Craigslist. It has all the equipment I need so far except for a glass lid which I just planned on getting made at a hardware store. Anyways, it's 50 or 55 gallon, not entirely sure! It's in decent condition, no cracks or anything but it's slightly dirty. Here is all the equipment I got with it:

-Emperor 400 Biowheel (?) Filter
-Air pump and tubing
-A few fake plants
-A fake rock
-Light fixtures
-Heater
-Device that sticks on side of the tank underwater and creates a current

What of all this equipment needs to be washed before I start setting the tank up? The glass on the tank itself is decently clean, I plan on wiping it down anyways though. The filter is a little crusty though. The wheels are pretty crusty and so is most everything else. Are these items I can just safely clean and install or should I buy new ones? He used this tank for Cichlids for a year or so he said. I already bought new media for the filters so that is taken care of. Are there any safe cleaning products I can use on it or should I just stick to plain tap water?

I am upgrading from a 10 gallon. Should I just run my current filter in the new tank for awhile to get the good bacteria in there? I plan on transferring everything in there except maybe the heater (only good for up to 10 gallons). I only have two fish, a molly and a platy.

Thanks!!

 

[danielmeynell]

i would personaly say anything thats going to go under the water should be washed i would myself like.


then cycle the tank and all should be well

 

[johnboy!]

Wash all the new stuff out, then transfer some sponges over to your new filter, fill up with your old water, then top up with dechlorinated, give it a few hours to get up to temperature and transfer your fish over