Please suggest method for cleaning a used tank b4 use

[Logic_Bomb]

I purchased a 55 Gallon all-glass aquarium, with penguine biowheel 125 filter and cyclone backpack protien skimmer. I want to clean them before starting a tank fresh. What would be a good method to clean all of the above and what (if any) clensers should I use?

I am new to saltwater, so please go easy on me. Thanks.


Edit: It is a used tank, with what looks to be a dried algea of some sort. Mayhap blue-green

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure you know to stay away from harsh cleaners that may leave any residue. How much algae is built up? Is it just near the top where the water line was? You may just have to scrape it after soaking it to not take any chances. The filter you may not even use except for water movement if you are going to use live rock.

 

[Logic_Bomb]

I am sure you know to stay away from harsh cleaners that may leave any residue. How much algae is built up? Is it just near the top where the water line was? You may just have to scrape it after soaking it to not take any chances. The filter you may not even use except for water movement if you are going to use live rock.

I plan on using a LOT of live rock initially, as well as a good thick bed of sand. The Algea is all over the tank, including the bottom. It is also all over the protien skimmer 8O

I know not to use any harsh clensers. I was wondering if there were any mild clensers you might recomend.

I plan on starting out with just Live rock for a couple weeks, then Maybee I'll add a couple clowns and a tang. I eventually want full corals and an octopus.

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure you know to stay away from harsh cleaners that may leave any residue. How much algae is built up? Is it just near the top where the water line was? You may just have to scrape it after soaking it to not take any chances. The filter you may not even use except for water movement if you are going to use live rock.

I plan on using a LOT of live rock initially, as well as a good thick bed of sand. The Algea is all over the tank, including the bottom. It is also all over the protien skimmer 8O

I know not to use any harsh clensers. I was wondering if there were any mild clensers you might recomend.

I plan on starting out with just Live rock for a couple weeks, then Maybee I'll add a couple clowns and a tang. I eventually want full corals and an octopus.

You want to make sure that your tank is fully cycled before adding live stock, also you want to test teh tank for leaks so you will have to fill it up anyway, nothing worse than finding a leak by the wet spot on your carpet :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Logic - don't bother cleaning the biowheel filter, just throw it away. Really - your better off without it. Do a search on that in this forum if you want details. Live rock, good circulation and skimmer will be plenty.

 

[Anonymous]

Logic - don't bother cleaning the biowheel filter, just throw it away. Really - your better off without it. Do a search on that in this forum if you want details. Live rock, good circulation and skimmer will be plenty.

Can't you just take the biowheel out and use the pump for some circulation?

 

[Logic_Bomb]

Logic - don't bother cleaning the biowheel filter, just throw it away. Really - your better off without it. Do a search on that in this forum if you want details. Live rock, good circulation and skimmer will be plenty.

Can't you just take the biowheel out and use the pump for some circulation?

Sure, even if you don't get major water movement out of it, the aeration benefit is worth it.

To clean the tank, I would use water and elbow grease. If there are hard water deposites a vinegar solution should clear that up.

Ah. I hadn't thought about vinagar! That sounds perfect! As for the filter, I plan on using it to move water to start with. Should I get a power head for better circulation?

 

[Anonymous]

Yep. I pretty much use vinegar for all my tank and equipment cleaning, it works nicely and it won't keep you up at night wondering if you rinsed it well enough.

Yes, a 55g should have more than a hang on filter for circulation. I recommend Maxi Jet 1200 powerheads, but there is A LOT of options out there, so look around.

I assume this tank is not drilled, just a solid tank with no holes? Since it came with a hang on skimmer, I assume you will not have a sump. In that case, I think the hang on filter is a good idea, it will give you a little area where you can put things such as a bag of carbon, a thermometer or whatever, since you won't have a sump.

I also like the hang on filters in un drilled tanks because the falling water tends to break up serface scum. Do take out the biowheel as has been suggested, they are not very appropriate for reef tanks.

 

[Logic_Bomb]

Yep. I pretty much use vinegar for all my tank and equipment cleaning, it works nicely and it won't keep you up at night wondering if you rinsed it well enough.

Yes, a 55g should have more than a hang on filter for circulation. I recommend Maxi Jet 1200 powerheads, but there is A LOT of options out there, so look around.

I assume this tank is not drilled, just a solid tank with no holes? Since it came with a hang on skimmer, I assume you will not have a sump. In that case, I think the hang on filter is a good idea, it will give you a little area where you can put things such as a bag of carbon, a thermometer or whatever, since you won't have a sump.

I also like the hang on filters in un drilled tanks because the falling water tends to break up serface scum. Do take out the biowheel as has been suggested, they are not very appropriate for reef tanks.

Excelent! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Anonymous]

Check this link out, too:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... ght=bakpak

 

[Anonymous]

Water 2:1 with vinegar. Fill the tank.

Use some powerheads to circulate and scrape with a razor.

 

[Anonymous]

part white vinegar and water...its good to use just make sure you thoroughly rinse the tank when done...let the vinegar/water solution sit over night(or two) and rinse thoroughly..(just like hesaisas suggested)

 

[WBrian]

OK,
Might be a stoopid question, but here goes...

Is tap water OK to make the vinegar/water solution? I have some PHs I want to clean as well as my skimmer. The vinegar and water mix should do fine, right?

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, tap water is fine. Also, you can make a thick paste of baking soda and water to scrub stubborn gunk, then rinse w/vinegar and water.

 

[fishinsouthga]

did you say you want an octopus for your tank?

 

[krajacich]

I've used this method to clean tanks before...works really well.

Do this outside or in a VERY well ventilated place. Fill your tank about 3/4 full of hot water. Pour in a gallon of muriatic acid. Fill the rest of the way with water. Drop in a power head and plug it in. Run for about 2-3 hours. Drain it (it won't hurt septic systems).

Rinse well with fresh water, fill and drain at least twice. Fill 3/4 of the way with hot water. Add 2 gallons of chlorine bleach (use the unscented kind). Fill the rest of the way with water. Drop in the power head and run for 2-3 hours. Rinse well with fresh water, fill and drain at least twice. Add dechlorinator each time.

Be Careful! Both the bleach and the acid are corrosive (wear old clothes and gloves). DON'T mix the bleach & acid as this will generate chlorine gas.

HTH

Danielle

 

[WBrian]

Well, I went with the vinegar and water as I had it on hand. Actually worked fairly well. But I think I made it too concentrated. the coraline cleaned right off, but one of the PHs failed the following day (It was making a screeching sound that I couldn't tolerate. (But that gave me a chance to get a MJ 900 and a hydor thingy.) I think my problem was leaving them in over night.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Brian

 

[Anonymous]

Glad that's worked out Brian, but do some research before you move onto corals (keep asking questions and reading), and even more if you want an octopus. I think they're supposed to be very difficult to keep (apart from anything else, they're expert escape artists). Approach with caution and seek the advice of experienced octopus keepers (there's probably a word for this beginning with cephalo-, but darned if I know what it is...).

 

[cindre2000]

From what I have read, octupuses are excape artists, meaning your hang on filters and protien skimmer are not really optimal (leaves to much room for escape). And most importantly, most octupuses are actually cold water creatures. This limits what you can place in your tank and means that most captive octipi are short lived.

 

[cindre2000]

From what I have read, octupuses are excape artists, meaning your hang on filters and protien skimmer are not really optimal (leaves to much room for escape). And most importantly, most octupuses are actually cold water creatures. This limits what you can place in your tank and means that most captive octipi are short lived.