Second Hand Tank + Equipment

[Ninja Dave]

Hi,

I have recently decided to take up fish keeping and am looking to buy a second hand tank to get me started.

The tanks which I seem to find come with filter, heater, etc.

Would I be best replacing the filter with a new one in case it contains any diseases?

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[nereksnad]

greetings dave;

i would simply recommend carefully scrupping the filter in warm water, if you don't feel secure enough with this, have it run in a bucket of water and replace the water frequently, untill you are sure all the bacteria is either dead, or atleast flushed away.

sincerely;
nrk.

 

[weezawoo]

It depends slightly how long the filter has not been running and out of water as i it has only just come out when you pick it up, the good bacteria is still alive.
IMO I would get a new filter sponge, the filter should be fine, clean the filter well put the new sponge in and start a brand new fishlss cycle following the advice on this forum. There is a link somewhere to the cycle which I'm sure someone will come along and post. Personally I would prefer to start fresh with brand new filter media!