Help needed with cleaning a new tank....

D

D-Bak

The 'ICK'sterminator
Jun 2, 2006
80
0
0
40
Columbus, Ohio
I just got a great deal on a 20 gallon used tank... It comes with everything i need to get it started... it is just all covered in salt deposits because the guy had salt in the freshwater.....

I was wondering what the best way to clean all of this stuff would be????

Also.. shoud i clean the gravel that is in it already or should i buy new stuff?

The tank has been sitting in a basement for about 5 months and the gravel has a little mold on it by the way....

Also... the tank comes with an emporer filter. I know i have to replace the filter media but how about the bio wheel??? Also... any other tips or information on things i should be cautious of would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you in advance.....
 
Well, to start off I would just buy new gravel, it isn't expensive. You will also have to buy a new bio-wheel. As for cleaning the tank, you're going to have to rinse, scrub, rinse, scrub to get a large portion of the salt out. And, are you sure it is salt? It might be mineral deposits. In which case some water and vinegar mixed together will do a good job. Don't forget to use some elbow grease.
 
I was just wondering what the reasoning for the new bio wheel was???

I am just curious as to why the old one is unusable even tho it is in perfect working condition??

Thank you in advance....
 
Well, all the bacteria that was on the bio wheel is dead. So if you re-use the old bio wheel it may not work at full capacity due to new bacteria having a hard time colonizing it. You may not get a full colonly on the wheel. So a new one is probably the way to go.
 
couldn't he just change the wheel?
I've never had a biowheel myself i'm not really sure.
 
msouth468 said:
Well, all the bacteria that was on the bio wheel is dead. So if you re-use the old bio wheel it may not work at full capacity due to new bacteria having a hard time colonizing it. You may not get a full colonly on the wheel. So a new one is probably the way to go.
Click to expand...



cool thank you very much.... exactly what i wanted to know....
 
I recieved a used penguin biowheel mini awile back and asked this same question here. I was advised to use the wheel as is. I did and havent had any problems (yet)... I also put the other filter cartridge (new) and a piece of sponge in there though.
 
TheZoo said:
I recieved a used penguin biowheel mini awile back and asked this same question here. I was advised to use the wheel as is. I did and havent had any problems (yet)... I also put the other filter cartridge (new) and a piece of sponge in there though.
Click to expand...


hmmm

well i just looked up the price of a new filter media and biowheel and it lookslike it will run me around 15 bucks for both of em....

i think i am gonna just replace them both and not worry about anything..... i got such a good deal on this tank i think i am swing 15 bucks towards new supplies....


Thank you again for all of the help...
 
New equipment is usually cheap anyway. Why use old when you can buy new for practically nothing?
 
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