How to clean old tank?

kevin21 · 10/05/2014, 09:25 AM

Hey everyone,

I have some ideas as to howi would want to clean this and have it safe for saltwater but figured I would ask.

The tank is a 44g oceanic hex and has been freshwater for about 10 years. Going to convert it to a FOWLR with the possibility of couple softies. The question is what needs to be done before I fill it up with saltwater? The tank has been empty and has only been rinsed out and dried with paper towel.

Any suggestions well appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin

dkeller_nc · 10/05/2014, 09:53 AM

If you want to clean organics that might've been left from the freshwater use, simply scrub it out with a bit of hand dishwashing detergent (I'd recommend Dawn), rinse it very thoroughly with tap water, and set it up.

If you need to remove mineral deposits, particularly around the water line, thoroughly wet a paper towel with 100% vinegar, lay it over the spot you want to clean, and cover it with plastic food film (the food film is to keep the towel wet with vinegar). Leave it for about 2 hours, then mechanically remove the deposits with a washcloth and water.

You can also fill the tank and let it stand for a day or two to remove mineral deposits, but this might take quite a lot of $$$ in vinegar. A cheaper alternative is to fill the tank with water, and add a few slugs of concentrated hydrochloric acid. If you decide to do this, you must do it outside - when the HCl hits the water, it'll produce a good bit of corrosive fumes.

Sk8r · 10/05/2014, 10:05 AM

Get your vinegar at Costco or Sam's. Waaaaay cheaper.

kevin21 · 10/05/2014, 10:18 AM

Awesome thanks guys. Will first use the dawn and then rinse with tap water. If there are still deposits on the glass I will use vinegar. Just wanted to double check. I don't want any leftover residue that might affect the water chemistry of the saltwater tank.

rcpd34 · 10/05/2014, 03:40 PM

I'm in a similar situation with a 200 gal acrylic tank. Any tips for cleaning a tank this large? It has been sitting uncleaned for 2+ years I'm told...

10/05/2014, 09:25 AM	#1
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	How to clean old tank? Hey everyone, I have some ideas as to howi would want to clean this and have it safe for saltwater but figured I would ask. The tank is a 44g oceanic hex and has been freshwater for about 10 years. Going to convert it to a FOWLR with the possibility of couple softies. The question is what needs to be done before I fill it up with saltwater? The tank has been empty and has only been rinsed out and dried with paper towel. Any suggestions well appreciated. Thanks, Kevin __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

10/05/2014, 10:05 AM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Get your vinegar at Costco or Sam's. Waaaaay cheaper. __________________ 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%.

10/05/2014, 10:18 AM	#4
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Awesome thanks guys. Will first use the dawn and then rinse with tap water. If there are still deposits on the glass I will use vinegar. Just wanted to double check. I don't want any leftover residue that might affect the water chemistry of the saltwater tank. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

10/05/2014, 09:53 AM	#2
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	If you want to clean organics that might've been left from the freshwater use, simply scrub it out with a bit of hand dishwashing detergent (I'd recommend Dawn), rinse it very thoroughly with tap water, and set it up. If you need to remove mineral deposits, particularly around the water line, thoroughly wet a paper towel with 100% vinegar, lay it over the spot you want to clean, and cover it with plastic food film (the food film is to keep the towel wet with vinegar). Leave it for about 2 hours, then mechanically remove the deposits with a washcloth and water. You can also fill the tank and let it stand for a day or two to remove mineral deposits, but this might take quite a lot of $$$ in vinegar. A cheaper alternative is to fill the tank with water, and add a few slugs of concentrated hydrochloric acid. If you decide to do this, you must do it outside - when the HCl hits the water, it'll produce a good bit of corrosive fumes.

10/05/2014, 03:40 PM	#5
rcpd34 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 16	I'm in a similar situation with a 200 gal acrylic tank. Any tips for cleaning a tank this large? It has been sitting uncleaned for 2+ years I'm told...