What the best way to clean a used fish tank?

Question

I am getting a used fish tank and would like to know what the best way to clean it is. It already has plastic plants, gravel, power head and an under gravel filter. Should I keep these or get new ones? It seems to have algea on the sides how do I get rid of that? Thanks

Answer 1

Do you know anything about the history of the tank and any diseases the previous fish may have had? And is the tank still running, or has it been empty for some time?

If you know the tank has been relatively disease-free, you can clean it with just warm water. If there are crusty deposits, you can either fill the tank up and let these soak (also a good way to check for leaks), or scrub using salt as an abrasive. Just rinse everything well before using.

If you don't know the history and want to be safe, bleach is the only way to positively kill any disease organisms. Hot water and pH change don't always work, especially if the tank has been dry, because the bacteria will encyst and the cyst protects them from drying, heat, and pH changes. You want a solution that's about 10% bleach. You can either mix up enough to fill the entire tank (if it's a 10 gallon, remove 1 gallon of water and replace with one of bleach) or mix 1/2 cup of bleach with 4 1/2 cups water and wipe down the surfaces. You can add the gravel and plastic items as well. Let this sit for 10-15 minutes, no longer, then rinse very well. I worked in a university where fish were used for behavioral studies and this was the standard cleaning procedure every time a tank was emptied. If the tank is still set up, this will destroy the beneficial bacteria associated with removing ammonia and nitrite from the tank, however, so it will be necessary to cycle the tank again.

Another option is to use hydrogen peroxide, but this will not necessarily kill all disease-causeing organisms.

If there appears to be a cloudy film to the inside of the glass when the tank is dry, and the tank was previously used with a high pH environment (saltwater, cichlids) the glass may be permanently etched from the high pH. It will look better when filled with water, but never as good as a new tank.

You don't mention the size of your tank, but if I personally wouldn't use the undergravel as the only filter. The hang-on types like the Aquaclear are more convenient for physically removing particles from the water and the filter is more easily accessed for cleaning. It also provides an area for using carbon to remove any medications the fish may need. These are things the undergravel lacks. There's no reason you can't use both filters, and the extra filtration may allow you to increase your stocking slightly. If the powerhead is reversible, run it in the reverse direction so the water is pulled down through the tube and forced up through the gravel. This prevents too much waste from accumulating beneath the filter plate so you don't have to remove it periodically to clean.

Answer 2

Get rid of the under gravel filter. Get a canister or bio-wheel type filter. Under gravel filters are hard to clean, clog easily, and often create "dead spots" which can produce deadly hydrogen sulfide.
To clean what you have. Take out all the gravel and put in a bucket and rinse with water until clean.
Wipe the sides down with a paper towel either soaked in hydrogen peroxide or real salty water. Let the tank dry in the sun and sit in the sun for 2 days. You can sit the rocks in the sun as well. Sunlight will kill every bacteria left. Same with the plastic plants. I don't like plastic plants and ceramic ornaments, I like natural river rocks and real plants. That should about do it for cleaning it to ready it for fish. Make sure you read a good aquarium guide before you put fish and water in, so you have a good idea of what you will need to do to keep a fish tank successfully. Its like gardening, you have to have a little know how.
I would not use bleach for any reason. Its very dangerous for future fish. Leaves a resedue that is almost impossible to get rid of.

Answer 3

A mild bleach/water mixture is fine. Just be sure to rinse and rinse and rinse. Then when you do fill it up for the fish, be sure to use a dechlorinator. Bleach is just a milder form of chlorine, so the dechlorinator will remove it. For the algae, just scrub it with a brush and the bleach water mixture. Don't bleach the gravel, either buy new stuff, or rinse it well or boil it. The plastic plants will be fine with the bleach/water mix though.

I wouldn't recommend using the under gravel filter. I would go with the typical HOB(hang on the back) filter. The under gravel fitlers tend to accumulate all the uneaten food and fish poop underneath, causing the water parameters(ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates) to go out of control.

Answer 4

Ok,
I usually just wash the tank out with hot water, and also rinse the gravel.
You defiantely should get reall plants, plastic plants cause a lot of algue and don't give oxygen for your fish.
If you go to a petstore like petsmart, they have a special solution for cleaning your tank, and it's save for the fish, no bleach please
When setting up the tank for tropical fish, you also need a heater.
Put Aqua Safe in the water as directed when setting up your tank and also some Easy balance, which you add one a week.
Wait at least 24 hours before putting in any fish, and check your water for ph and also use a Quick Dip test, that way you can provide for the perfect setup.
When you buy fish, you have to put them with the bag in your tank for at least 30 min, to ensure that they get used to the water temperature.
Hope that helped, good luck

Answer 5

You can use a bleach solution on the tank, filter (except for the media).

You cannot use bleach on the substrate (if there is any) so boiling it to get rid of any bacteria or disease causing substances is about your only option here.

I use 2 capfuls of bleach per l gallon of water. After you have finished the bleach process, you will need to rinse very well with plain water and then dip in solution of water conditioner to be sure to remove any remaining chlorine that may be left behind.

Get the tank up and running again, leave empty for about 2 weeks, the algea will disappear in this process.

Nemo

Answer 6

for the algae you can buy an algea pad that scrapes it off very easily just wet it and scrape it how big of a tank is it because undergravel filters are not that great alo make sure you cycle your aqauarium before adding fish. keep the gravel because if its used it has beneficial bacteria in it that will cycle he aquarium faster everything else it doesnt really matter on

Answer 7

Clean it with a brush and plain water - DO NOT use soap or chlorine bleach.

Then put it somewhere warm and let it dry thoroughly.

If you knew the gravel and other stuff came from a healthy tank, it might be okay to use it wet. Otherwise, I'd rinse it well and let it dry thoroughly. Drying should knock the bacteria level down enough that you can re-start with a reasonable degree of safety.

(update - if you insist on using chlorine, the tank should be well scrubbed and thoroughly rinsed)

Answer 8

I would agree with the CLR. You can use vinegar and water if you don't want to pay for the cleaner.

Answer 9

get new stuff and bleach the tank make sore you rinse it well