Second Hand Tank

[ceilidhgirl]

i'm looking into buying a second had tank from someone.

it comes with all the equipment i need plus the gravel.

i was wondring, do i have to use de-chlornated water to clean the tank, equipmnt and gravel before i set it up to cycle?

was wondering seeing as it was going to be cycling anyways, if i cleaned and filled with untreated tap water and left it to sit for 24 hours before starting to cycle, the chlorine from the tap water should have dissipated??

sorry, typical newbie question i guess

any input much appreciated

love
ales xx

 

[WILDER]

Alot of hot salty water and clean well,rinse well and let dry out for aday, the gravel need sterlising with boiling water, only add declorinator when you fill the tank.
For the filter run in a bucket of hot satly water, then fill bucket up again just with clean water to rinse with, let the filter dry out for a day, boil sponges in the micowave to sterlise them.

 

[ceilidhgirl]

thanks thats some great advice

anyone else got anything to add??

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ceilidhgirl

While you don't need to use any chlorine remover to clean equipment, it's always necessary to add it to tank water. Because some water districts use chlorine and others use chloramine, be sure to buy one that removes both of them, just to be on the safe side. The chloramine will not dissipate from the water like chlorine does when it's left to stand.

While we are on the subject, a simple inexpensive product works as well as an expensive one, so this is one item you don't need to spend extra money on.

 

[Wanda hornsey]

Just plenty of hot water and elbow grease...be carefull not to scratch your glass however you can use a tiny tiny bit (think about the size of a garden pea) of detergent as long as you are prepared to rinse with a hose for at least 20 minutes to get rid of every last trace before you start to fishless cycle

a linkto another thread about my tank and where I started from cleaning it to where I am now....nearly at the end of a fishless cycle....I didnt add the water treatment before I cycled as it seemed pointless as I will be just throwing the water away ( I am doing a 75% change) when the cycle is complete. I will however treat the water I refill with and test the water before anything fishy shaped enters my house!

 

[lljdma06]

I use several methods to clean a tank that is second-hand.

If the tank is relatively clean and fish haven't been in it for a while. I think you're ok with salt and hot water.

If the tank's residents died of disease, or if the stocking was questionable, I prefer "nuking" a tank with a chlorine/water solution and then letting it dry out for a day or two outside. I use a ratio of 1 part chlorine to 3 parts water. After you clean with this solution, rinse it a lot, I mean a lot. Until the smell is no longer present. You can also leave it to dry outside as the chlorine will be absorbed into the atmosphere. Then rinse again with heavily dechlorinated water. If you don't smell chlorine, you got it off. Chlorine will kill everything for sure.

I usually toss gravel. I like to use fresh substrate. If it's still wet, it can harbour bacteria or disease from that tank.

Have fun with your second-hand tank. They are usually great bargains. I got a 45g hexagon for $15 that I had for 7 years! With the stand and fixtures, so it can save a lot of money.

 

[ceilidhgirl]

thanks for the info guys.

cant wait to get my tank cycling now

 

[bogwood]

Use Ammonia... as you will be using it anyway for your 'fishless' cycle?!!...

 

[Squid]

Use Ammonia... as you will be using it anyway for your 'fishless' cycle?!!...

Exactly what i was gonna say. The bottle of ammonia im using for cycling was meant for cleaning anyway...

Squid