How do i clean a used tank

[onepawnup]

I have aquired a used 55 gal tank. it hasnt been used in a while and has what looks to me to be calcium build up(lots of it) i plan on cleaning it all in warm water with no chemicals. my question is do i need to boil the gravel and decorations ?? also i plan to use water from an existing tank to get it jump started. how much water should i use from the old tank (40 gal tank) and how long untill i can transfer some fish to it ?


and any other suggestions you may have
thanks
One pawn up

[aquarob]

Well, having done this exact thing a couple times I can give you a few ideas. One, you are right not to use chemicals to clean it. The white deposits you have can be removed easily with a warm water/vinegar solution. I use about 1/3 vinegar 2/3 warm water in a spray bottle. As far as the gravel goes, I would throw it away and buy new gravel. Gravel (standard type) is fairly cheap anyway. The decorations? Well, if you dont want to buy new ones, you can soak those in a 10% chlorine bleach solution overnight, should kill any funk that was on them. Then spray them down with the same vinegar solution you made earlier, to neutralize the bleach traces. Then rinse them very well of course after, same with everything. Goes without saying, dont use the old filter media if there is any, you will want to buy new for that. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Hope that helps you out. Dont forget to cycle your new used tank!

[only6foot6]

I am in a similar situation. I have purchased a used tank that has some calcium build up on it. I have run many tanks before but have never let them get an excess calcium build up.

What is the best way to clean up calcium build up on a tank?

onepawnup - I would personally buy new gravel and start from scratch. If you must use it, I would boil it. You want to make sure that you kill anything living on it. I have heard of people using used gravel and wishing they did not.

[onepawnup]

I am in a similar situation. I have purchased a used tank that has some calcium build up on it. I have run many tanks before but have never let them get an excess calcium build up.

What is the best way to clean up calcium build up on a tank?

onepawnup - I would personally buy new gravel and start from scratch. If you must use it, I would boil it. You want to make sure that you kill anything living on it. I have heard of people using used gravel and wishing they did not.

ok gravel is gone
so far just using warm water its working so far (looking for vinager )

can i use water from my 40 gal ? wouldnt that cycle it pretty quick ?
i can also use filter media from existing tank

[Omega]

Vinager works great. Make sure you rinse lots before using the tank because it lowers pH.

[onepawnup]

OK found some vinager ..its working great ..also finding that a razer help a bit as well ... how much do i need to rinse the vinager out ? could i fill it half way say 25 gals then drain it or should i take it outside and blast it with the water hose ??
get any suggestions comming
still woul like an opinion of using water from my 40 gal ?

[LesbianChap]

Using water from your 40 gallon would do almost nothing for your cycle. The cycle bacteria are not free-swimmers. Using some filter media is your best bet.

Take a look at the Cycle Article (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64301), it contains all the viable shortcuts and most the myths to cycling an aquarium.

[aquarob]

I would take it outside and hose it down, or put it in your bathtub (rinse your tub first!) and use your shower (if you live in an apartment and no hose)

And using water from an established tank probably wont help much, as previously mentioned. What I do, is take one of my wife's old nylon hose and put some gravel and filter floss from my showtank and hang it inside my new tank, usually will cycle in 1/2 the time.

Cycling time varies a LOT depending on any number of factors, my last marine tank (125g) was FOWLR and it cycled in under 2 weeks, my new freshwater (with Biospira) is still not entirely finished cycling at 4 weeks and 4 days. Shrug.

P.S. Both these tanks were "fish cycled".

[Z Man]

I just sold about 40 of my tanks and cleaned everything with OxiClean powder in a gallon of warm water. I just emptied all the tanks and sponged on the liquid and let it set for a few minutes and used a 'greeny' to remove almost all the calcium build-up. The harder deposits came off easily with a straight edge razor. I did all the tanks in about 6 hours of actual work. Very easy. I've done this with used tanks I purchased with no problems.

[RockabillyChick]

The decorations? Well, if you dont want to buy new ones, you can soak those in a 10% chlorine bleach solution overnight, should kill any funk that was on them. Then spray them down with the same vinegar solution you made earlier, to neutralize the bleach traces. Then rinse them very well of course after, same with everything.


since when will vinegar neutralize bleach?

after soaking them in the bleach solution, put them in clean water with a double dose of DECHLORINATOR in it, to neutralize the bleach.

[LesbianChap]

since when will vinegar neutralize bleach?

after soaking them in the bleach solution, put them in clean water with a double dose of DECHLORINATOR in it, to neutralize the bleach.
Or let it air dry for 24-48 hours. Regular, house-hold chlorine will evaporate itself out in this time. Before the age of chloramines, this is what would make water "safe" for fish (at least one of the ways)...and is part of why people "age" their water for PWC's.

[Omega]

since when will vinegar neutralize bleach?While it's not the best choice, acids have been neutralizing bases since the beginning of time.

[UncaBret]

The water from the 40 might have some ammonia in it, but that's about all. What kind of filters are you using? I have an AquaClear 20 on my 20G high and am planning on using two on my new 40g. I will take two sponges from my old filter to jumpstart the new ones.