Aight- Now How Do I Clean It?

[Kairi]

I have a new tank (there's a post here about heater size).... but- how in the world can I rinse it out before adding gravel and water to even start the cycle? There's NO WAY I'm picking it up.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Option one: Bribe some really cute guys to help you cary it outside.

Option two: Buckets of water and your siphon. You may want to look into a python. You hook it up to your sink and it will fill and drain your tank.

I'd be hesitant to clean it with bleach because you are going to have a hard time rinsing it out very well. I know I cleaned my tank out with an overdose of clout, a strong medicine.

 

[Kairi]

Unfortunatly, the only cute guy I know can't do it himself lol Hubby doesn't wanna pick it up. I don't have a python because my sink is retarded and at the other end of the house. At one point, I tried to get one of those vacs that attaches to your sink.... but my sink is a royal PITA.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I think its just going to have to be a lot of buckets, and possibly a garden hose to fill the tank. I THINK my old box of clout said it could be used to sanitize nets, so i did use it to sanitize my new aquarium at an extremely high dose. I think that may be your best bed.

 

[Tolak]

If it's a brand new tank you really don't need to disinfect it. Tap water should contain enough chlorine to kill anything that may be airborn. Use a good clean paper towel to wipe it down, and then fill & begin the cycle.

If it's a used tank, 1 part bleach to 20 parts water, wipe it down with that. Rinse with tap water on a paper towel, and let it dry.

If you have your own well, 2 drops of bleach per gallon of water approximates what municipal water supplies put in tap water. it's an old camping/survivalist method of making water from a questionable source drinkable.

 

[Kairi]

it's a brand new tank. i wiped it out w/ a wet wash cloth tonight b/c there was "easter" grass in it and dust. do i need the gravel before i start the cycle?

 

[Tolak]

I would add the gravel. Any decos in the tank will hold the bacteria that cycle ammonia to nitrites & nitrites to nitrates. Even if you rinse the gravel there will be some water born particles at first. These will filter & settle out while it cycles. It will cycle without it, it's just easier to add to an empty tank.

 

[Kairi]

hu? i'm confused.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Basically, she was saying that it is easier to add decorations and gravel to an empty tank. These will also provide additional surfaces for the bacteria to grow on.

If there is some cloudiness at first, don't worry about it, it will settle down.

 

[Kairi]

oh gotcha. it's too late to be trying to think. can i add decorations while cycling? or should i add it all- then begin the cycle?

 

[tttnjfttt]

You can add them part way through, but be sure not to fill the tank all the way, as the decorations will take up some space in the tank. What are you planing to add? Things like driftwood or rocks take up alot more space than plants.

 

[Kairi]

well, i'd like to add plants enough to make it decently planted (fake plants) and a large (two piece) castle. i don't really know what else... other than about 3 air stone things. i'm sure there will be more i'd like to put in there, but that's all i know of at the moment.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Cool! If the cave is hollow, it will take up less room. I have one in a betta tank, and I can literally say I have a fish that sleeps in a castle. I think my dog is jealous. We call her "princess" but she is stuck sleeping on a bed, and doesn't have her own castle.

 

[Kairi]

haha. yeah, i'm pretty sure the castle is hollow- i know parts of it are. it's huge though- 2 or 2 1/2 feet long- so it'll take up a decent amount of space. i guess i'll have to wait to start the cycle til next pay day that way everything can just be in there.

any idea where i get the ammonia from? i don't think walmart has the right kind.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I got mine at a local grocery store, it was called "pure ammonia". I saw your other post, and didn't want to answer it, mainly because it involves chemistry and me using logic which i don't trust msyelf to do right now. Is the liquid clear, and when you shake it does it form bubbles? Does it have any scent to it?

Ok, i am going into chemistry, because i think i can. EDIT: I thought wrong


I'll go do the obvious thing and check the bottle of ammonia sitting in my laundry room too

Ok, i looked at the bottle, and it didn't say what was in it, but it did say that if it someone drank it to have them drink diluted vinegar. Since vingear is a base, that means pure ammonia is an acid. And what i was typing turned into a bunch of BS, i'll go see if I kept my chemistry book.