I need advice. How do I clean this tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
E

Emmaline

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 30, 2009
43
0
0
maryville, tn
Okay, I finally got my first big tank ... I even got it in the house! (Finally) Now the issue is how do I clean this? It was a salt water tank & its filthy. I want to use it for fresh water; I have a couple juvi oscars that will totally appreciate it when they out grow the 55 gal tank they are currently living in. I'm just a bit overwhelmed on where to even start with this tank. I think I'm going to have to just crawl inside it & start scrubbing. I have a few questions about this.
1) is it safe to hang out in the tank? I know it will hold 130 gallons of water (or 150 ... nobody knows whats going on right now!!!) so it should hold me ... but is it safe to crawl around in a fish tank? I'm afraid my knees will bust it out or something.
2) what exactly do I do about all the nastiness that is in it? The guy that gave it to me said use a green scrubby pad & some dish soap to get all of the salt out but I'm afraid to use soap. I have a bottle of pond cleaner, but idk if that is a great idea either. I am thinking lots of hot water (if I pass out in the tank I will ask my boyfriend to take pics lol) and elbow grease. I'm just afraid to put soap in there ...
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have tanks everywhere & I have never been intimidated by scrubbing one clean; but this one is making me nervous!
DSCF0779.jpg

DSCF0785.jpg

DSCF0780.jpg


And now I think I'm going to have to repaint the living room b/c every time I look in there now I see dried up tank scum! Its the EXACT same color! lol

I started scooping up the crushed coral today b/c I've been putting off touching it for the week & a half its been in the house ... I started getting a little excited about it & decided begging for advice may be my best bet in getting this thing clean. I just dont know where to start when I get all of the stuff out of the bottom. :feedback:
 
hey there,
I have a 200g tank i just cleaned after sitting for 2 years looked something like yours. Mine is glass and I used a floor scrapper from home depot with a 4" razor blade and 12" handle and 3 step ladder. I didn't have to crawl in it. but it sure did take me 5 hours to get clean!! I also wipped it down with clorox wipes. cam out great and clear. scrapping it is the way to go if its glass. You might scratch it if its acrylic.

Good Luck!
 
I have been thinking about trying to find some sort of scraper. I thought that might be the easiest way to do it ... I will definately try that. I got some green scrubby pad things tonight that I plan on using on the sides of the tank ... & it is a glass tank. I never would have thought of using clorox wipes in there ... how well did you rinse it after you used them? I was afraid to put any sort of chemicals in there b/c I was afraid I might not get it rinsed well enough.
 
is it safe for me to get inside the tank? I'm pretty short & there is no way I can just reach down in there. I kinda wish the tank was in the floor again. :irked:
 
Vinegar is also a useful, harmless cleaner that you can use. I had to get a lot of saltwater scum out of a 125g tank (although nothing even close to what you have) and it worked just fine.

If you use something like the Clorox wipes to finish up, just make sure to rinse it really well with water afterward.
 
In the cleaning products isle of your grocery store there will be a couple of "all natural' glass cleaners where the ingredients are vinegar, ammonia, and water. Otherwise, Mix up a glass cleaner by adding 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water.
 
Get a tall step ladder. I'm 5'3" and can easily clean my 25" tank that sits 45" off the floor with a step ladder. No, it's not safe to get inside the tank. The reason it can hold 130 g of water is because water is perfectly even pressure on every square inch. The pressure of your hands or knees is far from equal and creates pressure points that can break the glass.
Clorox wipes don't contain clorox by the way, so I don't think they'd do much good. Get a few razors and be super careful around the silicone.
 
I was afraid that my hands & knees would put to much pressure ... thats why I was asking. I think I'm going to try scraping it off & then cleaning it with vinegar & hot water. Thank you all for the advice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom