Cleaning used tank?

f150 · 12/22/2007, 06:27 PM

Hey Everyone,

I got a used 65g sump and it needs to be cleaned i see that people say to use viniger but does it matter what kind and how much? Also do you just use tap water to rinse it out? Thanks Mike

Sk8r · 12/22/2007, 06:33 PM

WHite vinegar, the cheapest sort---for a 65, I'd put a circulating pump in [doesn't hurt if the pump needs cleaning too] fill it as full as you can get it, and add 1 gallon of vinegar [it's cheap.]

I'd advise against a tap rinse for one main reason---though you can use tap water for the vinegared cleaning---tap is going to leave you more calcium deposit on your glass. The very white stuff you wanted to shed. If it's really densely crappy, you may need two gallons of vinegar, one to wash and dump, the second to rinse it out thoroughly. THen a vinegar wipe [vinegar affects the ph of saltwater, but will not damage much, esp if you dry it]. And you're sparkling clean.

BurntOutReefer · 12/22/2007, 10:33 PM

IMO.....use a bleach solution first....then rinse and then use a vinegar solution (2to1)....dont worry about the bleach as it will precipate.....rinse, rinse, and then there you go.......
tapwater leaving "white ~calcium" deposits depends on your house water....some people have water softners etc, which wont leave any calcuim deposits....
just my 2 p.

bertoni · 12/22/2007, 10:45 PM

I just clean tanks with vinegar, then rinse with tapwater, and dry them carefully with a towel. Seems fine.

Konadog · 12/22/2007, 11:18 PM

If the tank has old dried coraline algae, you can lay the tank on its side and pour straight white vinegar in, just enough to cover everything. Let it soak for a bit and scrape.

12/22/2007, 06:27 PM	#1
f150 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 48	Cleaning used tank? Hey Everyone, I got a used 65g sump and it needs to be cleaned i see that people say to use viniger but does it matter what kind and how much? Also do you just use tap water to rinse it out? Thanks Mike

12/22/2007, 06:33 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	WHite vinegar, the cheapest sort---for a 65, I'd put a circulating pump in [doesn't hurt if the pump needs cleaning too] fill it as full as you can get it, and add 1 gallon of vinegar [it's cheap.] I'd advise against a tap rinse for one main reason---though you can use tap water for the vinegared cleaning---tap is going to leave you more calcium deposit on your glass. The very white stuff you wanted to shed. If it's really densely crappy, you may need two gallons of vinegar, one to wash and dump, the second to rinse it out thoroughly. THen a vinegar wipe [vinegar affects the ph of saltwater, but will not damage much, esp if you dry it]. And you're sparkling clean. __________________ 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%.

12/22/2007, 10:45 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I just clean tanks with vinegar, then rinse with tapwater, and dry them carefully with a towel. Seems fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/22/2007, 11:18 PM	#5
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	If the tank has old dried coraline algae, you can lay the tank on its side and pour straight white vinegar in, just enough to cover everything. Let it soak for a bit and scrape. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

12/22/2007, 10:33 PM	#3
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	IMO.....use a bleach solution first....then rinse and then use a vinegar solution (2to1)....dont worry about the bleach as it will precipate.....rinse, rinse, and then there you go....... tapwater leaving "white ~calcium" deposits depends on your house water....some people have water softners etc, which wont leave any calcuim deposits.... just my 2 p.