Need Quick advice..PLEASE!!

[jrosler04]

We just got a used aquarium, it is dirty, and we want to clean it very good before putting our fish in it...we need advice on what to use to clean it with..that isn't harmful to our fish!!!! Please answer ASAP!!

Thanks!!

 

[abe]

I have seen aquarium cleaner at a few pet stores, not sure how good it works though as I have never used it.

 

[vantgE]

bleach is best rinse it reall well and dry for at least a day, clr can also be used on dirtier tanks but needs alot more rinseing

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Why do you need to know "ASAP"? Are you planning on putting your fish in right away? Will you be using your old filter?

I personally would clean with water and aquarium slat. In the past I have used washing up liquid (very well rinsed afterwards obviously) but most wouldn't recommend that.

HTH

 

[jrosler04]

Our old aquarium was cracked, and we have 2 huge oscars needing a big aquarium...not a lot of choice on what to do with them...they can't go into a ten gallon aquarium (which is all we have with the exception of the one they are in..and the dirty one!) and they can't go in my aquarium (they would LOVE to be able to eat my angelfish, and my fancy guppies...but that is NOT an option...) so it is very important!! thanks!!

We were told to use bleach,....but weren't sure if it would be safe!! We do have our old filters and stuff that we will be using...everything is going to be scrubbed down..we just wanted to know what would be safe!!

Thanks again!!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I hope you are not going to 'scrub down' your filter too? That would not be good.

 

[Dwarfs]

Use alcahol pads and then rinse it out really good.

 

[cutechic]

I'd go with the bleach, but rinse until you think there cannot possibly be any trace of bleach left on the tank. Then rinse again

 

[Leslie]

I just cleaned a tank that's being converted from salt to fresh and I started out using bleach but ended up using vinegar. I would recommend vinegar over bleach.

 

[EX-AmP]

alcohol pads arent enough. ive used vinegar on lime and all that stuff then took a sponge and scubbed it

 

[CMC]

To get the hard water stains off of the glass, we just use a razor blade to scrape it off with. We found it's a lot easier to do if the glass is wet. To clean the glass (or plastic) on the light hood, we use Kaboom. It's a purple liquid used to clean the shower or tub with. It works really good. Just make sure you rinse it very well.

 

[Teelie]

If you use bleach, make sure every drop is dry from the aquarium after you're done. I would rinse it well then set it out somewhere that the aquarium will be thoroughly dried. Bleach aerates on contact with air and will completely vacate the tank once dry.

 

[fish are my life]

i dont know what u should use, as long as you clean the tank out really good after
good luck cleaning

 

[jrosler04]

Thanks everyone!! We used bleach..then rinsed with water SEVERAL Times..then once with boiling water..just in case....

the oscars are pretty happy in the tank...but..we will be upgrading to a 75 or 100+ gal soon!!

A child that was visiting us threw a toy..it cracked the tank....(it was too small anyway)..but...that is a lot of money to throw away due to a bratty kid!!!

 

[Sky042]

I've actually used a vinegar solution to clean the glass of the tanks with and that usually cuts through any mineral deposits left on the tank. Plus it rinses off pretty easily.