Needed: Advice For Cleaning A Used Tank

[Cole]

Greetings,

I just recently acquired a used 90-gallon tank that used to house a Red-Eared Slider turtle. The tank is quite dirty. In the past I have bought most of my large aquariums new and havn't had the pleasure of cleaning a large used aquarium.

So, I would love to have some good advice. The glass is covered with brown stuff, and there's plenty of crusty stuff. I don't see a lot of lime deposits.

I was thinking just good ol' warm water and some new rags. I don't want to use anything too abrasive, but I do want to get it as clean as possible.

Any thoughts will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[lauraf]

Elbow grease is usually the best Aquarium salt and vinegar are also safe to use. And yes, don't use any rags that may have come into contact with any household cleaners or anything potentially toxic . . . .
So, whatcha gonna put in there??

 

[aakaakaak]

API makes some fish safe cleaner you can use.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I like to find a place outside if the weather is decent. (Usually the tailgate of my pickup) I fill a tank up and let it stand with water for a while, this should soften up the stuff that can be softened. Rinse out the easy gunk.

A 90 gallon tank is heavy and bulky. you may want to siphon out the rinse water to avoid potentially breaking of the glass from extra handling. I like to use a clear plastic siphon hose of 1/2 to 5/8 inch diameter. After siphoning as much water from the tank while it is sitting flat, I raise up one end of the tank and place a piece of 2x4(the board needs to be longer than the tank is wide) (tall edge up to give 3 1/2 inches rise.) under that end. This sends the water to the other end where the siphon can pick it up while you spray water in the other side with a hose and flush the remaining loose junk.

You will likely have to start the siphon several times in water that you do not want in your mouth ( especially as this was a turtle tank - salmonella). This is why I use a clear plastic siphon that is plenty long so as to see where the water is.

I usually give a tank a good cleaning while outside. I use a paste made from ordinary table salt (Without iodine) and a soft sponge. (Do not use a sponge or cloth that has been used with soap or chemicals.)(I have buckets and sponges that are used only for my tanks.)The salt paste does not scratch glass (be sure the sponge or cloth used to apply the paste with is not coarse enough to scratch the glass on its own and watch for bits of gravel that seem to jump into the salt paste.) and does a fair job at removing the deposits from the surface of the glass. (Letting the salt paste dry to a haze should desiccate most critters if you want to disinfect a diseased tank.)(Note- wetting the glass will soften up the deposits somewhat.)

(Also for stubborn mineral deposits, a razor blade in a holder that gives a firm grip is useful. Use a shallow the angle on the blade and keep an eye on the corners of the blade. The corners sometimes get bent and will scratch a thin line.

Rinse the salt paste out.

After I get a tank clean and it is still outside is a good time to fill it up and let it sit for several hours to a day or so. This gives leaks a chance to show up.

 

[Alex2290]

The last two tanks I cleaned I used baking soda and white distilled vinegar. Worked like a charm. Go to the grocery store and pick up a sponge, but be sure it is made for glass and other delicate surfaces(read the back, it will say if it's not for aquarium use).

Good luck

 

[nanu156]

razor blade + garden hose + time is the best way imho

cleaning products + scrubbing can scratch up the glass really just a scraping and rinsing is fine

there is nothing in a dry tank that can make your fish ill as once it is totally dry any bacteria dies

 

[pateceramics]

HOT water is my secret weapon. As hot as you can stand it. Just bring a little bucket with you outside and keep dipping your sponge in it.

And isn't bleach on the safe list for aquariums as long as you rinse the tank afterwards and let it dry thoroughly? Bleach breaks down in sunlight into table salt and Oxygen: 2NaOCl (bleach) + sun/heat <=> 2Na+ + 2Cl– + O2 = 2NaCl (salt) + 02 (oxygen)
That's why its safe for cleaning your cutting boards and kitchen counters with. As long as it has time to break down, it becomes harmless.

Just be sure you are using just bleach. Read the label to be sure there aren't any dyes or perfumes or other chemicals. Pour about an eighth of a cup into a gallon of hot water. Just a tiny splash. So that you can work with it without burning your skin. That's how we used to scrub the floors when I was at sea. Yar, me hearties!

 

[Cole]

Thanks for all the info, great stuff! I'll definitely put some of these methods to use.

I have yet to determine what I'd like to put in there. I already have south americans in another tank. I was thinking of putting a group of frontosa in this tank (juveniles of course) and see if any of them pair off in time, then transition pairs to a larger tank eventually. I've had some good luck with them producing for me in the past.

I also have access to a beautiful pair of Uaru that are about 7 inches. I love this species.

Any suggestions or opinions for fish combinations or ideas...or what you would do with a 90 would be great. I appreciate all comments.

Thanks again! Btw, I will be posting a video of a "how to" home made wet-dry trickle filter. (I'm sure most have seen this stuff on youtuve already, but figured it might help someone out there)