Cleaning a Used tank?
- Thread starter kavin2845
- Start date
Hello; I have used non-iodized table salt to clean tanks for a lot of years. I make up a paste by adding a small amount of water to some of the salt. I then use a soft sponge or something that will not scratch glass to rub the salt paste on the inside and outside surface of the tank. The salt paste does not scratch glass and is abrasive enough to do a decent job of cleaning. Be sure to use salt that does not contain iodine. I have cleaned algae and gunk from silicone seams this way as well as the glass surface.
I like to wet the inside of the tank before trying the salt paste. My procedure with a dirty tank is to place it somewhere, usually outside, and fill it up to check for leaks. No leaks, then siphon the water out and try to rinse as much of the gunk out as possible. One way to siphon most of the water is to have a section of a 2x4 on hand to put under one end of a tank to raise it up (don't try this with water in the tank and I don't have a board under the tank when filling it all the way up.) and send the water to the other end. I can then use a hose to flush stuff toward the siphon. Keeping a siphon going while flushing with a hose would likely make an episode of funny home videos, but it can be done. I usually have several short sections of board to hold either the hose of the siphon tube in position at the top of a tank.
Buy the time I get the bulk of the gunk rinsed out the stubborn places are thoroughly wet and maybe softer. I then mix up the salt paste. There is often enough water in a corner of the tank to make enough paste. Note- any small pieces of gravel or other hard bits that you miss have a way of getting into the paste and can scratch the glass, so keep an eye out. In addition I use pads or cloth that will not scratch the glass. The salt paste has not scratched glass for me.
You can rinse the salt paste out right away after the tank is scrubbed or I sometimes allow it to dry to a haze. My thinking is that this may desiccate any disease agents somewhat. Makes me feel better about setting up a healthy tank anyway.
You are likely going to be able to clean the silicone. Even if the silicone does not come super clean, re-sealing a tank with silicone is a big and often messy task. Especially if it does not leak.
I like to wet the inside of the tank before trying the salt paste. My procedure with a dirty tank is to place it somewhere, usually outside, and fill it up to check for leaks. No leaks, then siphon the water out and try to rinse as much of the gunk out as possible. One way to siphon most of the water is to have a section of a 2x4 on hand to put under one end of a tank to raise it up (don't try this with water in the tank and I don't have a board under the tank when filling it all the way up.) and send the water to the other end. I can then use a hose to flush stuff toward the siphon. Keeping a siphon going while flushing with a hose would likely make an episode of funny home videos, but it can be done. I usually have several short sections of board to hold either the hose of the siphon tube in position at the top of a tank.
Buy the time I get the bulk of the gunk rinsed out the stubborn places are thoroughly wet and maybe softer. I then mix up the salt paste. There is often enough water in a corner of the tank to make enough paste. Note- any small pieces of gravel or other hard bits that you miss have a way of getting into the paste and can scratch the glass, so keep an eye out. In addition I use pads or cloth that will not scratch the glass. The salt paste has not scratched glass for me.
You can rinse the salt paste out right away after the tank is scrubbed or I sometimes allow it to dry to a haze. My thinking is that this may desiccate any disease agents somewhat. Makes me feel better about setting up a healthy tank anyway.
You are likely going to be able to clean the silicone. Even if the silicone does not come super clean, re-sealing a tank with silicone is a big and often messy task. Especially if it does not leak.
I've never had a problem resealing with silicone. I don't think it's a big task at all, and if done right isn't that messy either. It's all about using the right tools. I wipe down my final bead with a scraper I make out of anything I can find (wood, aluminum, cardboard). It's basically a perfect 90 degree corner in which I'll cut out from the corner what I want the final bead to look like. I lay the bead down with the silicone gun, wet my scraper and run it up/over my bead. Any excess gets taken off onto the scraper. I think paint stores and home depot even sell cheap scrapers you can modify, or window glazing tools.
Hello; Many of the deposits found on a dirty tank are mineral based. They build up as evaporation leaves them behind. These types will dissolve in a vinegar solution. Vinegar is a mild acid and it can take some time. I use a vinegar solution in to remiove mineral deposits in the pyrex pot that I boil water in.
I also use vinegar in a spray bottle to clean the glass panels of my tank lights. The spray and condensation causes a build up over time. I spray the vinegar onto the glass and let it sit a few minutes to soften the deposits. I can usually scrape the deposits off without much trouble.
If you have this type of deposit on a tank, then vinegar can work. I have not filled a tank with a vinegar solution but can see how it would work. There will be a smell to put up with.
good luck
hello; I too have had some re-seals go well without a lot of trouble. I have also had a few that were a bit of a bear. I suppose the failures have jaded my outlook. I now go to some extra effort in my preparation in the hope to avoid having to re-do a re-seal. Even with the trouble and occasional mess it is worth doing. I will always try a re-seal on a leaking tank if the glass is not cracked.
If you do not mind, please post your methods?
I just put 5 gallons of vinegar in my 125 gal tank...just working on filling my tank up. We'll see if it works or not...
ended up using 15 gal of vinegar...Dirty tank before cleaning:
Almost clean tank today:
