Cleaning a used tank

Dugthefish · 09/30/2018, 07:00 AM

Just picked up a used 125rr. Sat empty for 6 months, guy filled it for me to verify no leaks and it passed. So now I need to clean this monster. Looking for any tips on, especially on rinsing, ie, how to get all the dirty water out. Lay on its side and work on it that way? Clean tap water and vinegar?

mcgyvr · 09/30/2018, 07:25 AM

Take it outside and hit it with a sponge/dish soap/garden hose..
Razor blade if coralline algae growth,etc...
Laying on its side is fine..

You can do a final wipe down/clean with vinegar/water..
Let air dry..

Really no need to get fancy..

Bpb · 09/30/2018, 07:59 AM

Is the tank on the floor or on the stand? Either way...

Fill it with tap water. Take a scraper. Scrape the sides. Get as much coraline off as you can. Just run a flipper mag over the glass when the tank is full. Same way you’d clean a running tank. We tend to over think cleaning a used tank.

Once finished. If it’s on a stand and it’s outdoors. Siphon the water out into the grass. If it’s indoors. Siphon it down the drain. Use a shop vac for the last bit. And some shop towels to collect the remainder. Should not take very long. Filling it will take the longest. But a full tank will soften up all the bits of mulm and algae that have hardened.

Take a pot scrubber to the overflow for the soft algae. Don’t get a headache over coralline on the overflow. It’ll just be right back. I leave it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Dugthefish · 09/30/2018, 08:03 AM

Dish soap is ok to use? I was planning on setting it on some sawhorses out in the driveway and using hot water and vinegar only, with a toothbrush and a scrubber pad. Wish it wasn't 45*F today lol

on the spot · 09/30/2018, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugthefish

Dish soap is ok to use?

sure. empty tanks pick up all sorts of airborne nonsense - a little surfactant goes a long way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugthefish

Wish it wasn't 45*F today lol

next month you'll be saying the opposite.

mcgyvr · 09/30/2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugthefish

Dish soap is ok to use? I was planning on setting it on some sawhorses out in the driveway and using hot water and vinegar only, with a toothbrush and a scrubber pad. Wish it wasn't 45*F today lol

Yes a bit of soap is just fine...just rinse well

Jordan00 · 09/30/2018, 09:12 AM

yeah your going to be putting alot of elbow grease into not fun but makes it that much more worth it

09/30/2018, 07:00 AM	#1
Dugthefish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Clear Lake, Iowa Posts: 26	Cleaning a used tank Just picked up a used 125rr. Sat empty for 6 months, guy filled it for me to verify no leaks and it passed. So now I need to clean this monster. Looking for any tips on, especially on rinsing, ie, how to get all the dirty water out. Lay on its side and work on it that way? Clean tap water and vinegar?

09/30/2018, 07:25 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Take it outside and hit it with a sponge/dish soap/garden hose.. Razor blade if coralline algae growth,etc... Laying on its side is fine.. You can do a final wipe down/clean with vinegar/water.. Let air dry.. Really no need to get fancy.. __________________ Who me?

09/30/2018, 07:59 AM	#3
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Is the tank on the floor or on the stand? Either way... Fill it with tap water. Take a scraper. Scrape the sides. Get as much coraline off as you can. Just run a flipper mag over the glass when the tank is full. Same way you’d clean a running tank. We tend to over think cleaning a used tank. Once finished. If it’s on a stand and it’s outdoors. Siphon the water out into the grass. If it’s indoors. Siphon it down the drain. Use a shop vac for the last bit. And some shop towels to collect the remainder. Should not take very long. Filling it will take the longest. But a full tank will soften up all the bits of mulm and algae that have hardened. Take a pot scrubber to the overflow for the soft algae. Don’t get a headache over coralline on the overflow. It’ll just be right back. I leave it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09/30/2018, 08:03 AM	#4
Dugthefish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Clear Lake, Iowa Posts: 26	Dish soap is ok to use? I was planning on setting it on some sawhorses out in the driveway and using hot water and vinegar only, with a toothbrush and a scrubber pad. Wish it wasn't 45*F today lol

09/30/2018, 09:12 AM	#7
Jordan00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 16	yeah your going to be putting alot of elbow grease into not fun but makes it that much more worth it