Emperor 400 cleaning ?

[billswin]

I just got a used setup and am working on re-staining the stand, but it came with an Emperor 400 which is pretty dirty (white stuff all over it).

He said he has never replaced the Bio-wheels 2 of them just cleaned them. But the 2 filters are brand new used for about a week. How should I clean out the unit, don't think water will work alone. And should I purchase new filters or Bio-wheels or is it all ok since it was in his tank?

Also what the best way to clean out the 75 gallon tank, not very dirty.

 

[Lotus]

You can clean with a solution of water and vinegar or water and bleach, then rinse and dechlorinate well.

I'd get rid of the filters and use new. The carbon can't be cleaned, and I know I wouldn't risk getting diseases from someone else's tank.

You can soak the biowheels in a solution of bleach and water, then rinse and dechlorinate well.

You can also clean the tank with vinegar and water, or just plain water. Taking it outside and using a hose is usually easiest.

 

[stoddern]

what is the white build up? I get some of that where my hood meets my tank and it's kinda grainy like salt but I don't have any salt in my tank, is it just mineral build up from evaporation?

 

[Lotus]

Yes, the white stuff is mineral buildup from evaporation. You can often remove it with a razor blade if it's in a part of the tank you can't remove.

If it's on the hood, you can take the hood off and clean it with vinegar or something like LimeAway (made for tanks).