Hello could someone tell me how to properly sterilize tanks that housed previous fish? Also I was given a couple tanks that have like white stuff near the top from water evaporating, how do I remove that? If this is answered elsewhere could i be directed to proper spot? thank you.
how to sterilize a tank that was infected?
- Thread starter waterbaby73
- Start date
I use salt, vinegar and warm water. The salt not only provided a safe abraisive but also acts to 'sterilize' the surfaces.
If it is a glass tank, you can also use a straight edged razor to get rid of the stubborn white spots.
I had a "mystery disease" tank, a 20H...every fishy slowly died in it.
Once all were gone, I left everything running and put 'one glug' of bleach in it (a few ounces?)...a week later the tank was VERY clean. I did a water change, added a bunch of dechlor. Re-cycled it with filter media from another tank. Fish are doing great in it now.
For the hard water stains, I'd get them wet and use a razor blade scraper to remove the worst. Vinegar or dilute muriatic (hydrochloric) acid may remove the rest; both are easily rinsed off vs something like "lime-away". you may find a permanent filmy stain in the glass...not much you can do with that.
Once all were gone, I left everything running and put 'one glug' of bleach in it (a few ounces?)...a week later the tank was VERY clean. I did a water change, added a bunch of dechlor. Re-cycled it with filter media from another tank. Fish are doing great in it now.
For the hard water stains, I'd get them wet and use a razor blade scraper to remove the worst. Vinegar or dilute muriatic (hydrochloric) acid may remove the rest; both are easily rinsed off vs something like "lime-away". you may find a permanent filmy stain in the glass...not much you can do with that.
Wow thanks everyone, I wasn't sure about using bleach on tank due to chemicals, I should of thought of vinegar though. thanks again everyone appreciate it. Now perhaps I can have pretty looking tanks to use.
Disinfection:
Remember that you are probably doing water treatments to get rid of Chlorine bleach already, so to some extent it isn't a problem. It is what I use. On the other hand, Peroxide breaks down into Oxygen and Water, so it would be safer. The thing is that Chlorine seems to be a better disinfectant.
I have also heard of using Potassium Permanganate, but don't know much about it.
Hard water stains:
You want some kind of acid, like vinegar or lemon juice or something like that. Do not mix this acid with Chlorine bleach though.
Ken
Remember that you are probably doing water treatments to get rid of Chlorine bleach already, so to some extent it isn't a problem. It is what I use. On the other hand, Peroxide breaks down into Oxygen and Water, so it would be safer. The thing is that Chlorine seems to be a better disinfectant.
I have also heard of using Potassium Permanganate, but don't know much about it.
Hard water stains:
You want some kind of acid, like vinegar or lemon juice or something like that. Do not mix this acid with Chlorine bleach though.
Ken
