Cleaning an old tank... need help

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alexanian

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 5, 2011
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I have this old tank that was set up till recently. The problem with it is that I've been having trouble with the fish that were in it always getting intestinal infections (white poo disease ) Now that it is empty I wanna transfer my convict fry but I don't want those problems to come back again so I've been thinking of cleaning and sterilizing it.
What should I use? I'm thinking of using chlorine but I'm afraid it will not clean well after it. Or should I use Oxygen peroxide? Is there a way to remove any of those cleaning agents and make sure the tank is safe for fish both from the disease and the chemicals?
 
you can use a diluted bleach solution just remove everything fill the tank add small amount of bleach just enough that you can smell it in the water. let it soak a little while, couple hrs maybe. Then just drain it, rinse it well a few times. If you can get some chlorine neutralizer treat the tank with that rinse it again and you should be fine.
 
hello; I have cleaned empty tanks with a paste made from NON-Iodized table salt for many years. The salt paste will scrub the glass without scratching the glass. I am careful to use sponges or soft cloths that will not scratch the glass and to be sure all bits of gravel are removed from the tank.
I have often allowed the salt paste to dry to a haze. This should dessicate a lot of critters. Rinse the paste away well and it will not leave a residue or smell.

I have not tried chlorox myself but have seen many posts citing it's use. Not sure how well it will rinse awa.
 
I want to rinse or soak everything in this tank, gravel, heater, filter to make sure i won't introduce the disease again. I don't think paste will be convenient for that, plus I wouldn't know where to get it.
I'm also afraid that chlorox won't rinse away well. What about medical alcohol? That should evaporate pretty quick.
edit: another issue that came to mind is will any of those chemicals loosen the silicone on the tank?
 
alexanian said:
I want to rinse or soak everything in this tank, gravel, heater, filter to make sure i won't introduce the disease again. I don't think paste will be convenient for that, plus I wouldn't know where to get it.
I'm also afraid that chlorox won't rinse away well. What about medical alcohol? That should evaporate pretty quick.
edit: another issue that came to mind is will any of those chemicals loosen the silicone on the tank?
Click to expand...

Hello; The salt is common table salt sold at most grocery stores. Just get table salt labeled NON-Iodized. You make a paste by adding a little water. After physically cleaning a tank and rinseing out all the gravel and debris, there is often enough water in a corner to make a paste. Add salt untill it is thick enough to be a paste. The paste can then be used to scrub the glass and will remove all but the more stubborn deposits. For stubborn deposits I use some vinegar and/or razor blades.

Physically cleaning most tank eqipment will remove most bacteria. I suppose the surfaces can be wiped with clorox solution and will likely rinse fine.

As to the gravel, this is going to be more difficult. Were I as concerned about pathogens as you, I would use the clorox solution. Put the dirty gravel into buckets. Add some clorox to a gallon jug of water in the percentage needed for disinfection. Pour the clorox solution in the buckets of gravel untill the gravel is covered. After a day or so, then clean the gravel by rinsing as we commonly do. The rinse/cleaning that you will have to do anyway should take care of the clorox. Others have reported using clorox with success in cleaning tanks.

Should you decide to not use either of these methods, then hopefully some one will post an alternative.

A clean tank left in strong sunlight for a time might help. Perhaps boil the gravel? You could also replace the gravel with new.
 
i used anti-chlorine to sterilize the tank and my plants, and i also wipe off the panes thoroughly using a cloth tht is soaked in anti-chlorine as well. it works for me. :thumbsup:
 
Chlorine (basically the main ingredient in bleach) is highly toxic to fish, but it also evaporates quite readily. This is why those whose water is treated with chlorine need to only age the water for it to be fish safe - they don't have to use chemical water treatments.

Since bleach evaporates quite readily you can definitely use it to clean your tank, then just allow the tank to dry completely (usually overnight). I would then suggest rinsing a few times, and if you are still worried just use some chlorine water treatment (seachem prime or equivalent).
 
BIG-G said:
you can use a diluted bleach solution just remove everything fill the tank add small amount of bleach just enough that you can smell it in the water. let it soak a little while, couple hrs maybe. Then just drain it, rinse it well a few times. If you can get some chlorine neutralizer treat the tank with that rinse it again and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

+1. I sanitize all my aquarium equipment this way to prevent cross contamination between tanks. I use Seachem Prime as the neutralizer.
 
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