Cleaning A Tank That Gerbils Have Lived In

[JamieBailie]

Hi, I've just gave my gerbils to a local breeder in order to use the tank they lived in to keep more fish.

The gerbils lived in the tank for 3 years. They have chewed some of the silicone that seals the corners/bottom of the tank, Alough this shouldnt be a problem as I removed gerbils from another tank a few months ago and just cleaned it in the back garden with a brilo pad and some water on its own. However if you have been reading my recent posts I've had problems with fish in that particular tank dieing and also couldy water, Could this be related to the gerbils living in the tank before?

Basicaly i'm looking for ways to clean the tank safely and any info if anyone else has had rodents living in tanks then re-used the tanks for fish again.


Thanks guys

 

[backtotropical]

Never had rodents, but BLEACH, BLEACH, BLEACH. Then RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, RINSE.

Also, i would re-silicone where the silicone has been chewed.

 

[JamieBailie]

ooo bleach sounds scary, What type do you recommend and should I water it down at all?

 

[backtotropical]

Just normal household bleach should be fine. Make a water / bleach mixture and start scrubbing.

When you are finished, rinse it really well. You should be able to tell if there is any bleach left by the smell.

Hope this helps.

 

[JamieBailie]

Yeah thats a lot of help! I've always just cleaned stuff with water. I'll give it a good scrub tomorrow and get the tank cycling asap

Thanks for the help mate

 

[backtotropical]

No problem.

Make sure you rinse it good and proper!

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I've seen what gerbils can do the silicone in a tank... it wouldn't have been worth the amount of work required to re-silicone what mine did.

 

[community begginer]

19 parts water to 1 part bleach if i remember correctly shall do the job well.
and rinse very well.

 

[LakeyGal]

I seem to remember reading that Chlorox should be used to clean/disinfect fish tanks, try googling it to be sure of the details tho.