Hello everyone.
Believe it or not, this is the first time I have to really clean a larger glass tank. So far, all my tanks have been new or relatively clean, so I have been able to use a water and vinegar solution to clean the tank itself.
I use vinegar because small trace amounts are not particularly leathal to my fish.
I just picked-up a used 17gal tank yesterday, and it had a lot of dried-up algea and calcium deposits.
I used a bleach/water solution for the first time to clean this tank. About a 1 to 10 ratio. I rinsed it off three or four times, then used paper-towel to dry it off. I cleaned the rocks (boiled) and plants/hood/filter/heater (vinegar/water) seperately.
I was so excited about setting it up and starting a fishless cycle that I did not stop to think if I should have let it air dry completely?
I am just worried that there may be trace amounts of bleach.
Again, in my excitement last night, I setup the tank, added water and conditioner (@150% the normal amount) and turned on the pump and heater to test it out over night (no fish).
I put a bit of honrwart floating inside to see if it would live. I figure if the hornwart does not die (20w light), then the water should be 'safe' for fish after a full fishless cycle.
If anyone spots something in my logic/process that will cause me trouble, please let me know. I would rather tear it down and do it over again than risk hurting or killing my fish.
Ps. I got this tank from the landlord of a deliquent former tennant - 17gal tank, hood, light, power filter, 150w heater, 20lbs gravel, 3 rock decorations, 4 fake plants, 5lbs of black gravel, and a black metal stand for $25.00 CDN!
Believe it or not, this is the first time I have to really clean a larger glass tank. So far, all my tanks have been new or relatively clean, so I have been able to use a water and vinegar solution to clean the tank itself.
I use vinegar because small trace amounts are not particularly leathal to my fish.
I just picked-up a used 17gal tank yesterday, and it had a lot of dried-up algea and calcium deposits.
I used a bleach/water solution for the first time to clean this tank. About a 1 to 10 ratio. I rinsed it off three or four times, then used paper-towel to dry it off. I cleaned the rocks (boiled) and plants/hood/filter/heater (vinegar/water) seperately.
I was so excited about setting it up and starting a fishless cycle that I did not stop to think if I should have let it air dry completely?
I am just worried that there may be trace amounts of bleach.
Again, in my excitement last night, I setup the tank, added water and conditioner (@150% the normal amount) and turned on the pump and heater to test it out over night (no fish).
I put a bit of honrwart floating inside to see if it would live. I figure if the hornwart does not die (20w light), then the water should be 'safe' for fish after a full fishless cycle.
If anyone spots something in my logic/process that will cause me trouble, please let me know. I would rather tear it down and do it over again than risk hurting or killing my fish.
Ps. I got this tank from the landlord of a deliquent former tennant - 17gal tank, hood, light, power filter, 150w heater, 20lbs gravel, 3 rock decorations, 4 fake plants, 5lbs of black gravel, and a black metal stand for $25.00 CDN!
