Cleaning Equipment/Reference

SigPiPup

AC Members
May 1, 2007
307
3
16
Michigan
What is the best way to clean equipment/tank that has been sitting, empty, in a basement for several years? I noticed mold or old, dried algae on some of the equipment and the tank. There is also mold in the long tubing for my python syphoning device. I think cleaning that out would be next to impossible.

What are your favorite references, other than this site? Books, websites etc.
 
i dont know the best way... but I've cleaned a few tanks that have been in my grandma's garage for years unused. these things were dirty as anything, had hard water stains, and had all these nasty bugs in there.

well, I guess I just did it the old fashion way. I pulled out a hose and blew that crap out of there. then I used paper towels and got all the dirt out. You'd be surprised how quickly alot of the gunk comes out. if you used some sort of cleaner, you gotta wash the hell out of it to make sure the chemicals are all gone.

So, that may not have helped at all... but some elbow grease should get the job done efficiently enough...
 
I believe people mention white vinegar as a viable cleaner.

I wouldn't worry about the funk in the python too much...mine's been funky fo' years. ;)
 
You can also use household bleach, about 1 capful per gallon of water. Make sure it's real chlorine bleach, not the non-chlorine bleach alternatives.

Like Niko said, vinegar works great. If you're doing a large tank the bleach method may be more economical.

Rinse thoroughly with hot water until there's no chlorine odor. You can add a capful of dechlorinator when you set it up if you have OCD like me.

Paul
 
Thanks for the replies.

I ended up just cleaning it the old fashioned way last night. Looks like new.

Now that I look at it, that was a stupid question. I'll try to come with something more challenging next time. :)
 
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