New SW tank cleanup advice

[Yash]

Just the other day, I inherited a 36gal bow front SW tank setup ... the tank is currently empty but was used as a SW tank. Unfortunately, I have limited information on what was kept in the tank as it belonged to a friend of a friend.

With no way to contact the original owner of the tank, I have no way of finding out if he had ever used any medication (particularly copper based) in the main tank. So, my concern, as I set it up as my own, is how clean is it? It is a fairly new tank (probably less than a year old).

I plan on starting out as a FOWLR tank and later adding some coral as well.

Would you suggest I clean the tank out before I start my setup? If so, how do I go about cleaning it, and what do I use? I've read in some places that vinegar might be recommended, especially since I'm not sure if any copper-based medications were used or not.

Any links (if available) that you can provide me about a general cleanup before use would be extremely helpful.

Regards,
Yash

 

[Max]

Hello and welcome to AC!
I'd just wash the tank out well with a vinegar solution or pure vinegar to remove calcium depostits etc. Rinse the tank out well and I mean well and add sand, l.r. etc.
let it run a cycle and add a snail and a hermit crab and see if they make it. If not some lfs will have a copper test kit avail and you might fill the tank let it run for a week or two and take in a sample for a test.
hth
Max

 

[Yash]

Sounds good Max! What proportions do I use to make the vinegar solution? Any vinegar works or should it be a specific kind? Also, would I need to clean the backpack filter and sump as well?

Yeah - I've just been reading through all the posts for the last several weeks and absorbing as much info. as I can before I get started. Hopefully, I should be okay after a thorough rinse.

Thanks for your help!
Yash

 

[Max]

Any vinegar will work and you can use a pure vinegar solution if you would like. Has the tank been empty for a while are their hard water deposits and the like? I'd clean everything associated with the tank if it's been setting empty if not I'd just remove any detritus, crushed coral or other hazards associated with the tank.
Happy to help
Max

 

[plah831]

yeah, plain white vinegar. I'm sure malt, rice, and balsamic vinegar would work but they're more expensive

 

[Yash]

Thanks guys!

Yeah, its been sitting empty for a while ... it is currently a bare tank, with no substrate or anything ... just the empty tank and the filter/sump. And it doesn't look like he's used it very much at all or for too long either since there's really not a whole lot of salt residue anywhere in the tank. I'll make sure to clean all the components thoroughly though before I start it up.

Max - I noticed you were from Oak Ridge? I work in Oak Ridge

On a slighly different subject, and given that you're in the same area as me, where would you recommend I get my substrate from? I'm thinking aragonite play sand? Do I have to get it at a fish store or can I get it from some local hardware store or something?

Also, for future reference, where do you go most of your shopping for the tank needs? I live right by the Aquarium on Papermill Dr. in Knoxville and have been going there for several years for my FW tank needs - they seem to be a really professional group of people so I feel pretty comfortable getting my supplies (and rock/livestock) from them ..... just wondering if you knew of any other places in the area.

Thanks again!
Yash

 

[plah831]

Also, for future reference, where do you go most of your shopping for the tank needs?

I personally get most of my stuff online. I've got a bunch of stores around me, but none of them have the specialized supplies and equipment I want

 

[Max]

Hello, Yash

Yes, the aquarium is the bomb! They have lots of stuff a good staff and know most of their stuff fairly well at least. They also have a good selection and decent prices for the area. I also shop at the coral reef from time to time it's at the top of Bearden Hill next to the butcher shop they tend to cost more but, have some real specimens on occasion. There are also several other little Mom and Pop's in the area but, usually have bad selection, care issues etc. Like Paula I shop on line a lot as well.

I bought my sand from Clinton Concrete about 3 years ago. I got about 3 tones of white play sand so it was enough to do me for a while lol.

Have a good one
Max

 

[Yash]

3 tonnes?? Good God! That should certaily last you for a while Yeah, I've heard about the Coral Reef but never really went there since all I had was a FW tank up until now. I should go check it out.

Regarding you and Paula buying stuff online, is it only equipment you buy online or have you bought any livestock online as well?

I was in the Aquarium yesterday just looking around at some prices of fish and coral to get an idea of what I want to have in my tank and how much I'll be looking at spending.

I stumbled upon the liveaquaria.com website and noticed that they actually sell both fish as well as coral!! I had no idea that was even possible Compared to the prices at the LFS, there's a huge difference in the online prices. Have you guys ever had any experiences with online livestock purchases? Is is not recommended for the most part?

If I were to buy my sand online, is there a particular brand or type of sand I should be looking for? I noticed that there were several different types of aragonite sands.

Appreciate your help!
Yash

 

[Max]

Mostly equipment but, quite a few corals etc. as well. The prices tend to be much better than what you can get locally and the selection will blow any lfs out of the water. I'd highly recommend foster and smith the Dr.'s really do take good care of their customers
As to the sand well I'd go to a local home store or concrete yard if they have aragonite sand buy some from them the fish will never know the difference. If all they have is silica sand that will work as well you'll have some extra diatoms for a little while ,"2 or 3 weeks", but, after the free silica is used from the solution that problem will be solved as well.
hth
Max