Cleaning second hand tank

[debiasir]

I bought a second hand tank last week and it had been sitting in someones garage for a few months so it is a bit dirty inside.We have filled it 4 times and syphoned the water out but there is still abit of debris that we cant get out

I was thinking to sit the tank on the lawn and stick a hose in it and let it run so the tank overflows taking the debris with it (likeeople do with gravel and sand). Do you think this will work. This would mean filling above the maximum water line is this a threat to the tanks structure(its a Juwel 180)??

cheers

 

[OohFeeshy]

Why don't you give it a scrub with a scrubbing brush?

 

[littlefishie]

Agreed.
I got my tank secondhand.

Make a really salty mix with aquarium salt and water. Get a never-used scrubbing pad [like ones you'd use to do the dishes.]. Using salty water, scrub! And scrub lots! The scrubbie pad is abrasive enough to get the junk off, but won't scratch the glass. And the salt is a safer way to clean than bleach.

Then rinse. Lots. Otherwise you get a salty residue and that's not pretty.

 

[debiasir]

just been out scrubbing for dear life seems to be working side glass is clean bottom has residue so i think a few more rinses and ill be sorted cheers

 

[OohFeeshy]

Jyst realised my new 2nd hand tanks going to need scrubbing It looks like the last owner had a really bad snail and algae problem- the filter is covered in dry algae and the foam has lots of snail shells in it.

 

[yvez9]

you could also try using vinegar to clean your tank

 

[fufanu360]

i wouldnt use salt unless your really gonna wash it out after...

use vinegar and water.. works a charm

 

[pnyklr3]

I also would recommend vinegar. I used it on a second hand tank that had a white "crust" on it at the water lines. Worked like a charm!

 

[CTS]

you could also try using vinegar to clean your tank

this is what i did lots of vinegar and it work perfect.