My brother wants to give me a fish tank that was used for salt water, will I be able to use this tank for fresh water fish? Is there something specific that I have to use to clean the tank of the salt build up it has?
2007-04-15 12:36:02 · 9 answers · asked by metztliwarrior 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Not a problem. You've already gotten several good answers, but I wanted to add that if the tank was saltwater, you might have more than just salt on the glass. Room temperature water should take care of any salt - if you've got stubborn spots, try diluted vinegar - it's a mild acid that can be rinsed off with just water.
If your brother used live rock in the tank, you might find that there are irregular circles where coraline algae had grown - these can be scraped off with a razor. You may also see a cloudy "film" on part of the glass. When tanks are used for saltwater or cichlids and are kept at higher pH levels, the glass becomes permanently etched - and if your brother wasn't good about topping off evaporated water, this will be the worst near the top of the tank.
If there's anything you can't remove by water, vinegar, or scraping, chances are it's permanent. Some of the cloudiness will disappear once there's water in the tank, but it won't look brand new, either. Just find the side with the least etching and use that as the front.
2007-04-15 18:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can. You may not need the protein skimmer if he had one, but the tank and most of the other items can be used.
You will not be able to use the gravel or sand. You can clean the tank with warm water and a clean cloth. For the more difficult salts built up use a razor and just scrape them off. A vinegar solution is also a great idea for hard water spots. Rinse well.
Also, do not dump boiling water into your tank. It may or may not crack the glass, but depending on how old the tank is, the rubber sealant may be compromised.
2007-04-15 17:48:54 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the tank has set awhile and has a lot of hard build up a razor blade may be needed to scrape off some of the old build up. If it's not in bad shape just rinse it out and wipe down with some fresh water.
2007-04-15 13:09:16 · answer #3 · answered by Brian 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just needs to be cleaned really well. My friend sold me his live rock holding tank when he closed his store. It's been holding freshwater fish for the last 13 years now, both goldfish and later tropicals. No adverse affects. Again, just make sure to clean it very well and ensure you rinse thoroughly to remove any traces of any cleaning agents you might use or any salt residue.
2007-04-15 13:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by chaos_and_amber2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on what shape the tank is in you can just use a damp towel and some warm wather to clean it out well never use windex or any harsh cleaning materials to clean it out with. and you dont need boiling water
boiling water and cold glass will crack you can fill the tank with regular tap water but mak sure you add the tank tabs in to get rid of chlorene you should set up your tank and filters and all atleast 24 hrs prior to placing fish in there
2007-04-15 12:46:26 · answer #5 · answered by Honey Badger Doesnt give a Shat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi!
Make sure you clean it out really well. Fill it with boiling water and let it cool. Then, scrub it well with one of those algae scrubbers to get all the salt out. I would not recommend using any kind of soap because even a trace of it is deadly to fish.
2007-04-15 12:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by lornesett 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes ,but need to get all new stuff for the in side slat is in all the stuff ,you can use filter if clean it with sop & water & chang carage.
2007-04-15 13:49:16 · answer #7 · answered by wayne r 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes if you clean it out I don't see why not.
2007-04-15 13:50:40 · answer #8 · answered by Mosh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-04-15 12:40:24 · answer #9 · answered by tommy girl 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋