How To Clean Used Aquarium Gravil , Plants , Etc

[Deercutter]

I am getting back into tropical fresh water fish after 15 yrs of being out of the hobby. I have aquired a used 45 gal setup and I was woundering how to clean used gravil , plants , etc .before assembling the tank . Years ago I used alot of boiling water to staralize my decorations . There must be an easier way .

Thanks Frank

 

[lyotim88]

white vinegar i believe

 

[Joller]

I just got my first setup off my mother, she told me to put all the used gravel in a big bucket and stick the garden hose in it to rinse it out, stir it with the hose and just let it overflow until the water is clear. I did that a couple of times, it seemed to work out alright

 

[Mikaila31]

Just rinse out the gravel with clean water. Plastic decorations can be sanitized in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 20 parts water. Don't put the rocks in this. Rinse of the plastic decorations really well. The tank can be cleaned using vinegar to remove any water build up, rinse it well when you are done.

Also once you get your tank clean, you will need to fishless cycle it. Make sure you read up on this and do it, it takes about a month before you can add fish. But it will save you a lot of stress from doing a fish-in cycle