Cleaning a used Aquarium with Bleach, yes or no?

Question

I just bought a used 50 gallon aquarium. The inside and the rocks were pure SKANK.
I soaked the rocks in a solution of bleach, (clorox) and water, I used the same solution to scrub the inside walls of the tank using a scotchbrite sponge.
I looked up info on the tanks with google and, it seems that using soap is not a good idea. I understand that there are chlorine removers one can add to inhibit the chlorine.
My question is, did I just make an unsafe environment for my future fish? Is bleach soap? How do I remove all the SKANK left on the inside of the tank?

OK. Most of these answers are what I needed to know, unfortunatley, more than one is best. Now I don't know which to choose. Mmmmmm.....let me see....

Answer 1

You're fine.

Bleach is basically the same stuff used to disinfect drinking water... chlorine. Just make sure to use bleach with no other additives.

fill up the tank with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and let it sit for an hour. Then drain and scrub it down well. Rinse well and refil, adding a triple dose of dechlorinator. That should kill the majority of pathogens present in the tank. The dechlorinator will detox any residual bleach.

Answer 2

No, I have 4 fish tanks in my home and I clean the rocks and decorations with bleach. This is the only thing I have found that controls the algae. You are correct and do need to purchase some chlorine remover to soak the decorations or add to the water prior to adding fish. Good luck!

Answer 3

Soak in in vinigar and water for a day or so, the leave a hose running in it for a few hours (doesn't have to be a stong flow). You can buy hard water stain removers at pet stores that are supposed to be safe for fish tanks. I use razor window scrapers on the inside of my tanks. They are very cheap, don't scratch the glass, and can be found in paint departments. Try this article when yo are finally ready to set up your tank. Fishless cycling should help to remove any toxins left over http://www.bluecrayfish.com/cycle.htm .
A

Answer 4

Bleach is hypochlorite answer. The salt can nonetheless be there whether you do not scent it. It seems such as you have rinsed thoroughly, even nonetheless it would desire to be a solid thought to fill it with heat water, agitate, (stir nicely), and enable it stand for an hour or so, and empty it, to verify which you do've have been given all of it. in case you're on city water, be constructive to enable it stand a for day after filling to enable any chlorine gas that would have been extra to evaporate out earlier you put in the hot tenants.

Answer 5

Yes you can! I clean my live plants and non porus surfices all the time with deleted bleach. I soak in clear water after and rinse well. Then soak shortly in a deleted vinegar solution to get the slimy feel off. If you rinse well you will have no problems. If it dos'nt kill the live plants it wont kill the fish. Works wonders with algae covered plants and decorations. NO WOOD. Iv'e never had a fish die from bleach. Don't use the scented bleach.

Answer 6

We have cleaned our coral many times with bleach. It can and will kill your fish, you MUST make sure to rinse extremely well. Rinse over and over again. A lot of the fish stores use white vinegar. Its meant to do a good job without the cemicals. We have killed an entire 90 gallon tank of fish with bleach, but have also used bleach hundreds of times. So please just rinse really really well.

Answer 7

I think any kind of bleach is bad for the little fishies. Just use elbow grease and a scrubby pad..or if you HAVE to use something then use baking soda. It's natural but has enough grit in it to clean scummy stuff.As for a chlorine remover...check with your local pool company.

Answer 8

Use pure/clear Ammonia with water (make sure the Ammonia you get is generic cheap brand stuff with no sudsing when you shake the bottle).

Ammonia will nitrify in your tank once you fill it up, and in fact - if you get pure/clear Ammonia you could do what is called a "Fishless Cycle" so you don't have to destroy some poor feeder fish to get things setup with. Here's the article...

Fishless Cycling
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Good luck!

Answer 9

I had the same problem with my tank. What I did is I used a small ammount of Dawn dish soap, and washed, than I rinced VERY GOOD. Like 10 times. (Hint: It is easier to do outside!) That was 3 weeks ago and they are still doing fine.

Answer 10

I have used limeaway and rinsed it really welll seversl times. Bleach is not good for the fish but they aren't in the tank yet. Rinse it well let it dry and rinse it again. and use a clorine remover and let the filter run for a few days before putting fish in.