Cleaning A Old Tank

[Behold]

What is the best thing to clean the inside of a tank with Just warm water or can i use some types of products.....

 

[doresy]

What is the best thing to clean the inside of a tank with Just warm water or can i use some types of products.....

Are we talking about a brand new tank? If so then a wipe out with warm, pure water will do. If it's a second hand tank I would wash it out with water plus 25% beach using a scourer (aquarium use only type) Then rinse it in fresh water, let completely dry then rinse and rinse and rinse again......very important you do the rinsing bit....ok!

 

[Rooster]

.... or damp sponge with salt, depends on what it was used for last, or where its been stored - if unsure, go for the flame thrower approach ! LOL

 

[doresy]

.... or damp sponge with salt, depends on what it was used for last, or where its been stored - if unsure, go for the flame thrower approach ! LOL

Not advisable to use the flame thrower on acrylic tanks though, check with you local army surplus

 

[OohFeeshy]

What is the best thing to clean the inside of a tank with Just warm water or can i use some types of products.....

As mentioned, it depends, warm water and elbow grease does the trick usually. A razor blade is very handy for scraping off limescaley bits. There's no particular need to use bleach, anything nasty would have died off long ago without water and other bits to keep it alive. I would imagone, if you do want to use chemicals, that ammonia would do a pretty good job, and you don't have to rinse overly well because it will be used by the bacteria.

 

[rdd1952]

If it's not acrylic, you can clean with a vinegar and water solution. Otherwise, a mixture of 20 parts water to 1 part bleach will work well. Just be sure to rinse well with either.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

A nice stiff toothbrush (make sure it hasn't been used for anything before) is also handy for spot cleaning, and won't scratch like a razor blade can. Razor blades or algae scrapers may be needed for spot algae however.

Never use a "kitchen" sponge to clean a tank with...even if it's never been opened before. They contain surfactants and anti-mildew chemicals that can harm your fish.

 

[Lynda B]

A nice stiff toothbrush (make sure it hasn't been used for anything before)

If you've been arguing with your spouse about the benefits of keeping multiple fish tanks, I highly advise using their current toothbrush.... it's not like they won't find it where they left it...

 

[OohFeeshy]

A nice stiff toothbrush (make sure it hasn't been used for anything before) is also handy for spot cleaning

Nah, I've tried that approach before, didn't work overly well and took forever. You won't scratch a tank with a razor blade unless you're being silly with it, in which case you shouldn't be playing with sharp objects anyway

 

[rdd1952]

You can definitely scratch an acrylic tank with a razor blade regardless of how careful you are.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Perhaps, but most tanks are glass anyway, plus if it's in a condition where it needs heavy duty cleaning agents it's probably scratched a bit anyway. And it's not too hard to buff out any scratches.

 

[Behold]

Perhaps, but most tanks are glass anyway, plus if it's in a condition where it needs heavy duty cleaning agents it's probably scratched a bit anyway. And it's not too hard to buff out any scratches.

All done i used a blade and hot water.....