Hi, I was wondering the best way to wash an old saltwater aquarium at an apartment for a freshwater setup. I have no hose and have to do it inside my apartment. I plan to scrub the inside from all the gunk caked onto the tank. Any recommendations for how to clean this and rinse it out?
220 gallon aquarium clean up
- Thread starter TheOnce
- Start date
Well you will need to be able to change the water when it's setup, so will need some kind of water changer system. I suggest getting a Python. With it you can spray water into the tank for your cleaning. Then when done you can use it ro siphon out said water.
Trust me it's beats the old bucket changing way by miles.
Now you can get it in varied lengths and even by extra hose sections if it still not long enough. It comes with an adapter to fit both new and old style common water faucets. And by connecting to a water faucet you can refill the tank with same temperature water as in it already.
Trust me it's beats the old bucket changing way by miles.
Now you can get it in varied lengths and even by extra hose sections if it still not long enough. It comes with an adapter to fit both new and old style common water faucets. And by connecting to a water faucet you can refill the tank with same temperature water as in it already.
I agree with Jexnell regarding a method to introduce and remove water from the tank. Excellent advice.
So I'll address the saltwater and cleaning, as my freshwater 240 was loaded with hard stains l after being used as a saltwater tank for years.
In order of least-to-most aaggressive.
1) Spray bottle filled with cleaning vinegar. (You can dilute if desired). Spay must the inside glass and let soak for awhile. You can stick some paper towels over the spray to keep the solution on the glass. Rinse with clean water.
2) Same as above, but agitate the solution with a plain Magic Eraser. (Melamine sponge).You can lubricate the sponge with a few drops of Stress coat, but it shouldn't scratch regardless. Rinse.
3) Same as above, but sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend on the sponge. Rinse well. This should take out 98% of all the salt creep/stains.
4) If you need to polish out any stains/ scratches...use cerium oxide powder. Rinse well.. This is as far as I've gone.
So I'll address the saltwater and cleaning, as my freshwater 240 was loaded with hard stains l after being used as a saltwater tank for years.
In order of least-to-most aaggressive.
1) Spray bottle filled with cleaning vinegar. (You can dilute if desired). Spay must the inside glass and let soak for awhile. You can stick some paper towels over the spray to keep the solution on the glass. Rinse with clean water.
2) Same as above, but agitate the solution with a plain Magic Eraser. (Melamine sponge).You can lubricate the sponge with a few drops of Stress coat, but it shouldn't scratch regardless. Rinse.
3) Same as above, but sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend on the sponge. Rinse well. This should take out 98% of all the salt creep/stains.
4) If you need to polish out any stains/ scratches...use cerium oxide powder. Rinse well.. This is as far as I've gone.
A couple of tips for use of said Python.
With the faucet adaptor, there is a rubber gasket you can remove if your faucet requires outside threads alias a female end instead of the male end.
When draining you use your faucet water at first to get the siphon going. When the siphon is going you can now turn off the water and it will still siphon so long as the end of the hose is lower than the siphon end is. I would unscrew the hose from the valve assembly and use the water to feed my outside plants, putting the end in a bucket as I move it about to catch the draining water. After plants were watered I put the end of the hose into the bathtub to finish draining. It takes about 45 minutes to drain 75% of a 125gal.
With the faucet adaptor, there is a rubber gasket you can remove if your faucet requires outside threads alias a female end instead of the male end.
When draining you use your faucet water at first to get the siphon going. When the siphon is going you can now turn off the water and it will still siphon so long as the end of the hose is lower than the siphon end is. I would unscrew the hose from the valve assembly and use the water to feed my outside plants, putting the end in a bucket as I move it about to catch the draining water. After plants were watered I put the end of the hose into the bathtub to finish draining. It takes about 45 minutes to drain 75% of a 125gal.