Got my 20g free tank, need cleaning advice asap, Very excited!

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greenday04

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Nov 28, 2004
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Concord, CA
I know how to clean the tank itself, no soap and all. I got his old gravel which looks clean. Should I rinse it or just go w/it. BTW everything I received from him is dry. Now for the filter, just clean it in plain water? What about the old filter cartridge? It is dirty but has been dry for long time. Should I just use the new clean ones to cycle?

Also when I put the hood on and the filter there is a space in the back where fishies could jump out. 6"long by 2" wide space. How do I fill that in?

Thinking I want to keep my 2 1/2g w/the betta and set this one up to. Not sure yet, will decide after new one is cycled.

Also do I cycle w/plants in the tank or wait? Planning on fishless cycle. Probably can steal some floss from my moms tank to help things along.

Any help is appreciated!! I am very excited about this new tank!

PS-how much will this 20g weigh w/water and all? I will need to get a stand. Was thinking of leaving it on the kitchen table but it is right near the heater vent.

Thanks :D :bowing:
 
I'd rinse off the gravel and everything w/ plain water, beyond that it should be fine. Your nose can be a good ally to tell you if the stuff is clean. If the gravel doesn't stink, don't worry about it.
Throw away that old dried up used filter cartridge, it's no good anymore. If it's dirty it isn't going to allow a proper flow, and if it's dry the "beneficial bacteria" will have all perished long ago.
If you can get a piece of plexiglass cut to fit for the hole in the back of the hood, i'd advise using it. Otherwise some fish stores will sell a plastic piece made to fit on the back that you can cut up to accomodate filters and power cords.
I can't help you w/ the plants, but fresh water weighs about 8lbs/gallon. A metal tank stand should be available at your LFS for less than $40 for a 20g tank. I keep my 20g on a cheap dresser from IKEA.
 
Thanks, the gravel doesn't stink but that old filter does now that you mention it. I have a console table from Target that my 2 1/2g is on now. I will have to do some research to see how much weight it can hold. 8lbs per gallon wow that makes it what 160lbs for the 20g. I will have to ask my hubby to sit on it to see if it will hold! :laugh:

Just need to make sure once I place it that I like it!
 
200 lbs

Actually, a gallon of water is the equivalent of 10 lbs. So your tank will actually weigh 200 lbs, not 160. 40 lbs might not be a tremendous difference, but better to be safe than sorry.
 
Sorry, i can't see where you are from in your profile. I'll reiterate. A US gallon of water weighs about 8.34 lbs. This is pertinent to greenday04, as he lives in California.
 
She lives in California, no offense taken. ;) Hard to tell from everyone's names.

Anyway thank you Raskolnikov for getting it straight for me.

Just to let you know, I cleaned the whole thing, added a new filter cartridge (didn't put the activated carbon in yet and I am going to break it down til I get a stand and find the best spot for it), filled it up to check for leaks (did this on my kitchen counter to be safe) and turned everything on and it all works!!! Yea!!! :dance

Of course the kids want to put the fish from the 2 1/2g right away and I explained to them it will take awhile before we can move the fish. They'll get over it and so will I as I know not to rush these things.

It does look cool though!!! :cool:
Thanks again
:bowing:
 
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