Cleaning a tank unattened for 5 months

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skald89

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2011
109
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16
Fresh meadows - Queens, NY
I just came home from buying a tank off someone on craigslist. For 5 months she only fed the fish and never did any cleaning of any sorts. I have taken most of the sand out. The decorations and filter is soaking in the tank right now.

The tank has algae built up and some white stuff that has grown on the walls. I have no idea what any of this is at all. I was thinking of pouring clorox bleach in with water to clean the tank. Empty out all the water and then wipe the glass with clorox bleach. Is this a good idea or are there better ideas.

I will try to upload pics of the tank tomorrow.

The tank also had some fish that I have transffered to a 10 gallon hexagon. I have no desire to keep the fish or know the health of the fish. What are the odds I could ask a LFS for store credit? I live in NYC, Queens, Fresh meadows. My LFS are Petlan discounts, kissena aquariums, and Fish town usa.
 
One is a goldifsh around 5 inches long. Two of them look like some type of barb. The last fish, I can't identify yet by just looking at it.

Could I soak it in that ratio. Empty out the tank and wipe it with bleach? Then let it soak for a couple of days outside or leave it out empty for a few days?

I am in no rush to use it and most likely will resell the tank. I bought it for the extra hoods, filter, sand and decoration.
 
You're best bet is probably to try a petsmart/ petco and take minimal store credit and put
It towards some food or chemicals. As far as soaking it, just let it sit with the water/bleach for a day them just clean with them same water. Let it dry in the sun for a few hours and then refill with water and treat with prime to remove the chemicals.


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I am waiting for the tank to dry now to take out the remaining sand.

I also have to clean a few more things.
- aqueon hang on filter
- heater
- hoods and plastic covers of the hood for the lights

Can I let them soak in the tank? I am planning to fill up the tank with water and some bleach to soak over night.
 
Thanks. After cleaning the tank would this be sufficient in getting it safe again for fish? Filling it up with water and possibly having the filter run for a few hours during the day. Pour 5ml of API water conditioner to help break up some of the bleach quickly. I think I have some unused filter cartridges with activated carbon in them. I would put them in the filter, most likely though they are too old to be of any use since they are months old.
 
IMO even if you did a 60-90% w/c you could still put the fish into shock since they haven't had a water change in so long...I'd do a 10%-20% water change each day until it clears up and use a razorblade to get the crap off the glass...You don't want to do a 100% water change and use the bleach solution unless you have another spare tank to put the fish in, unless you're getting rid of the fish and want to re-cycle the tank for the fish you do want in the tank
 
C L O W N K N I F E said:
IMO even if you did a 60-90% w/c you could still put the fish into shock since they haven't had a water change in so long...I'd do a 10%-20% water change each day until it clears up and use a razorblade to get the crap off the glass...You don't want to do a 100% water change and use the bleach solution unless you have another spare tank to put the fish in, unless you're getting rid of the fish and want to re-cycle the tank for the fish you do want in the tank
Click to expand...

The fish are in a hexagon tank she also gave me. I believe its a 10 gallon tank. I will not be re-introudicing them into the tank because they are some really odd combination. I am either going to use it for some cichlids in the near future or sell the tank. It all depends on space and money I have to spend on new fish.

I forgot to ask about plants. There was also, what I believe to be, narrow leave amazon swords. More or less the plant is alive and I split or it was 4 plants still in one of those plastic pots. I don't know if the plant has any bacteria or disease living on the plant. Is there a way to clean it or should I just toss the plant?
 
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