cleaning a used tank

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J

jerzeytib

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 18, 2011
37
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0
new jersey
I just purchased a used 55 gallon tank and it appears to have been sitting for awhile, alot of water stains and debris at the bottom. What can I safely use to clean it out? Hot water & sponges?
 
Initally clean the tank with hot water and sponges as best as possible. Empty dirty water & debri, rinse and check for hard water marks. If there are any water marks on the glass afterwards, use white distilled vinegar and hot water. About 1 quart vinager to 2 qts. of hot water, use a teflon scratch pad to remove most water marks and a hard backed razor for tough areas. Then rinse thouroughly with fresh clear water. A word of caution here when using vinager with hot water - make sure you're in a well ventilated area (outside or garage near the garage door) as the vapors caused will cause sinus and breathing discomfort.

Fill with clear water, let sit for 24 hours to leak test and ensure you have no leaks. Once your finished cleaning, have completed your leak testing, empty your tank, dry the outside, move into place and set it up. Good luck.
 
David K. Bradley gave you the perfect steps to clean it. No soap, water and sponge first, and then vinegar if you can't get some stains. Remember to rinse well after using vinegar.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
 
Thank you

David K. Bradley;4945551; said:
Initally clean the tank with hot water and sponges as best as possible. Empty dirty water & debri, rinse and check for hard water marks. If there are any water marks on the glass afterwards, use white distilled vinegar and hot water. About 1 quart vinager to 2 qts. of hot water, use a teflon scratch pad to remove most water marks and a hard backed razor for tough areas. Then rinse thouroughly with fresh clear water. A word of caution here when using vinager with hot water - make sure you're in a well ventilated area (outside or garage near the garage door) as the vapors caused will cause sinus and breathing discomfort.

Fill with clear water, let sit for 24 hours to leak test and ensure you have no leaks. Once your finished cleaning, have completed your leak testing, empty your tank, dry the outside, move into place and set it up. Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
For the top and bottom rim(also lights,lids and filters), you can use baby oil to remove buildup. It is fish safe and works very well on all but the hardest buildup. (for that a safety razor blade will work) You can use it for periodic cleaning of all plastic with calcium/lime buildup. You may have to let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the bond but it works great and did i mention it IS fish safe? Good luck and happy fish keeping..:D

Dion....
 
I bought some scotch bright sponges, the ones with the dark green scrubber side to clean the tank out. While opening the sponge package I noticed a warning not to use for aquariums. Do they mean do use as in don't put in tank with fish or don't use to clean tank?
 
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