What is the best method to clean a used tank?

Thinslis · 08/04/2007, 04:59 AM

What is the best method to clean this?

Thanks!

Dubbin1 · 08/04/2007, 05:42 AM

Soak it in vinegar and water.

Thinslis · 08/04/2007, 06:05 AM

After soaking should I be able to just wipe it down or will it still need some agressive rubbing / light scraping?

lesages · 08/04/2007, 06:54 AM

I used a razor blade scraper on my glass yesterday, made it quick and easy. I wouldn't recommend using one on acrylic though.

reefnetworth · 08/04/2007, 07:26 AM

bleach: 1 cup per gallon of total water volume. empty and rinse until bleach smell is completely gone. usually in a couple of minutes. vinegar is 5% acidic but it doesnt kill all bacteria such as bleach will.
JDM

Sk8r · 08/04/2007, 08:01 AM

If you use bleach, I'd use Prime to neutralize the bleach.
I tend to use vinegar if I trust the source: it specifically dissolves the 'lime' deposits---calcium carbonate---and gets rid of the caky nastiness; bleach is better at getting lingering organisms; both are good cleaners.

Thinslis · 08/04/2007, 08:26 AM

I think I'm going to try the vinigar water first. I'm not a big fan of bleach.

kathainbowen · 08/04/2007, 09:03 AM

Vinegar and a razor blade (if it's a glass tank- if not, Kent makes Pro Scapers that are acrylic safe, or you can find acrylic safe scrub pads from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals if you don't like the cost of Pro Scrapers), followed by a good water test to make sure that everything's in good order BEFORE you install and fill it up in your house!

kevin2000 · 08/04/2007, 09:55 AM

Vinegar/Water ... or if your lazy you can take the tank outside and let it sit overnight in a mixture of water with a bit of muratic acid .. will disolve all of the crusty calcium deposits.

Bleach is good for cleaning/sterilizing .. but doesn't impact the calcium deposits.

Thinslis · 08/04/2007, 11:14 AM

Does Muratic acid effect plastic? Is it going to eat my overflows?

Thinslis · 08/04/2007, 03:18 PM

I got all the glass clean with the vingar water and a razor blade. However the plastic overflows are still coated with the coraline alge. My gut tells me to clean everything... should I use something more abrasive to clean the plastic?

08/04/2007, 04:59 AM	#1
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	What is the best method to clean a used tank? What is the best method to clean this? Thanks! __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/04/2007, 06:05 AM	#3
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	After soaking should I be able to just wipe it down or will it still need some agressive rubbing / light scraping? __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/04/2007, 07:26 AM	#5
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	bleach: 1 cup per gallon of total water volume. empty and rinse until bleach smell is completely gone. usually in a couple of minutes. vinegar is 5% acidic but it doesnt kill all bacteria such as bleach will. JDM __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

08/04/2007, 08:01 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you use bleach, I'd use Prime to neutralize the bleach. I tend to use vinegar if I trust the source: it specifically dissolves the 'lime' deposits---calcium carbonate---and gets rid of the caky nastiness; bleach is better at getting lingering organisms; both are good cleaners. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/04/2007, 08:26 AM	#7
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	I think I'm going to try the vinigar water first. I'm not a big fan of bleach. __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/04/2007, 05:42 AM	#2
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	Soak it in vinegar and water.

08/04/2007, 06:54 AM	#4
lesages Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wiesbaden, Germany Posts: 153	I used a razor blade scraper on my glass yesterday, made it quick and easy. I wouldn't recommend using one on acrylic though.

08/04/2007, 09:03 AM	#8
kathainbowen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 667	Vinegar and a razor blade (if it's a glass tank- if not, Kent makes Pro Scapers that are acrylic safe, or you can find acrylic safe scrub pads from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals if you don't like the cost of Pro Scrapers), followed by a good water test to make sure that everything's in good order BEFORE you install and fill it up in your house! __________________ "So long and thanks for all the fish!" Current Tank Info: 3G picoreef, 18W 50/50 pc, AC20, stocked with assorted zoos, rics, xenia, and GSP

08/04/2007, 09:55 AM	#9
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Vinegar/Water ... or if your lazy you can take the tank outside and let it sit overnight in a mixture of water with a bit of muratic acid .. will disolve all of the crusty calcium deposits. Bleach is good for cleaning/sterilizing .. but doesn't impact the calcium deposits.

08/04/2007, 11:14 AM	#10
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	Does Muratic acid effect plastic? Is it going to eat my overflows? __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/04/2007, 03:18 PM	#11
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	I got all the glass clean with the vingar water and a razor blade. However the plastic overflows are still coated with the coraline alge. My gut tells me to clean everything... should I use something more abrasive to clean the plastic? __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5