Hi Newbie To Forum Ere! Requesting Advice Please.

[judith77]

Hi to all and Im new to forums but had small tropical tanks for few years now. I saved up and purchased a 240L Fluval tank earlier this year. Cycled the tank patiently then transferred my fish (hardy little souls) then purchased new ones. The tank was looking amazing! Tested water regular and perfect results.

However then tragedy struck within my family life and the fish had to be rehomed, tank emptied (in a rush) and whipped into storage along with all my furniture etc. This was very distressing as you can imagine. The tank has survived the storage and 300 mile removal (unprotected and not completely dry). It has green algae across the glass and I want to clean this and re-establish my tank. However, I am unable to retrieve my well loved fish and will need to purchase new ones from aquatic shops Ive no idea about. (had a lovely establishment near to my old town). So what is the best advice for cleaning and basically starting again! Thanks in advance.

 

[Littlemonkey]

Where about's are you based, some-one on here local to you may be able to point you to good fish suppliers. Good luck and

 

[KittyKat]

Hi and welcome! Shame about the tank, but great that you are willing to try again.

I personally use a normal kitchen sponge and old toothbrushes when cleaning empty tanks, sometimes using a mild unscented bleach solution. If you use bleach, make sure to get it out before adding water.

As for shops, it would help if you said where you are! Maybe someone can advise.. otherwise, take your time, visit the local ones and make up your own mind.

 

[judith77]

Ah sorry Livingston, West Lothian. Many thanks for your replies.

 

[Skins]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I used very diluted bleach when i cleaned my recently bought secondhand tank, like kat said just make sure your tank is clear of all its traces before adding fish.

Skins.

 

[onebto]

Another option for cleaning tank glass is vinegar

Regards onebto

 

[ian]

Hello and welcome to the forum Judith and don't be affraid to ask questions, even if you think they may sound silly, it's the only way we learn.

Have a good look around the forum.

 

[Fife Andy]

Hi to all and Im new to forums but had small tropical tanks for few years now. I saved up and purchased a 240L Fluval tank earlier this year. Cycled the tank patiently then transferred my fish (hardy little souls) then purchased new ones. The tank was looking amazing! Tested water regular and perfect results.

However then tragedy struck within my family life and the fish had to be rehomed, tank emptied (in a rush) and whipped into storage along with all my furniture etc. This was very distressing as you can imagine. The tank has survived the storage and 300 mile removal (unprotected and not completely dry). It has green algae across the glass and I want to clean this and re-establish my tank. However, I am unable to retrieve my well loved fish and will need to purchase new ones from aquatic shops Ive no idea about. (had a lovely establishment near to my old town). So what is the best advice for cleaning and basically starting again! Thanks in advance.

Hi to all and Im new to forums but had small tropical tanks for few years now. I saved up and purchased a 240L Fluval tank earlier this year. Cycled the tank patiently then transferred my fish (hardy little souls) then purchased new ones. The tank was looking amazing! Tested water regular and perfect results.

However then tragedy struck within my family life and the fish had to be rehomed, tank emptied (in a rush) and whipped into storage along with all my furniture etc. This was very distressing as you can imagine. The tank has survived the storage and 300 mile removal (unprotected and not completely dry). It has green algae across the glass and I want to clean this and re-establish my tank. However, I am unable to retrieve my well loved fish and will need to purchase new ones from aquatic shops Ive no idea about. (had a lovely establishment near to my old town). So what is the best advice for cleaning and basically starting again! Thanks in advance.

Hi Judith 77,

I also have a Fluval 240 and about to get some plants.
As the name suggests, i am from Fife and also getting back into fishkeeping after many, many years.
I have spent many recent hours scouring the countryside for decent lfs's and quite like OutsideInside Aquatics in Haddington and Maidenhead Aquatics just off M8 near Glasgow.
I am considering a "fish-in" cycle with a heavy planted tank, as advised by the guys at OutsideInside. Although this is not an approach widely supported on this forum. What are your thoughts?

FifeAndy

 

[Carlovel1]

 

[judith77]

Wow thanks to all of your replies! Im very happy to think Im not alone! I shall try the diluted bleach/vinegar tips but will probably develop OCD scrubbing the traces away!
AndyFife, I currently have no plants (the guy who took the fish took the plants) and to be honest I tried a lot of plant stockists 'back home' and tended to lose them bar the 1 stockist I loved so much. But the advice then was not to cycle 'fish in' I drove my kids nuts having an empty tank for over 10 days lol but like I say I added some rocks etc from the 'established' tank to help the progress. The 240 is nice though.
I will need to purchase more testing kit or strips any recommendations? Or shopping online experiences?
Thanks again to all

 

[Rogue4Fish]

Milton is good for cleaning. It's a disinfectant as well, so it'll help. Can buy it in most supermarkets for less than £2.

Don't get testing strips, get an API Master Test Kit. Buy it from eaBay if you can, as it'll be cheaper than shops. It may seem pricey at £20, but far more accurate, and it'll last ages.

 

[KittyKat]

+1 for API Master Test Kit (or equivalent)

I would still strongly advice for fish-less cycling.. although a heavily planted fish-in cycle is not too bad, with very slow stocking over a long time.

 

[judith77]

Milton is good for cleaning. It's a disinfectant as well, so it'll help. Can buy it in most supermarkets for less than £2.

Don't get testing strips, get an API Master Test Kit. Buy it from eaBay if you can, as it'll be cheaper than shops. It may seem pricey at £20, but far more accurate, and it'll last ages.

Thanks for that I will have a look on ebay cheers about the Milton too. think it will be a plant less and fishless cycle Kat the schools are all closed and roads terrible wont get to aquatic stores in this