How to clean used tanks?

[KD]

I will be getting two used tanks a 55 corner and 30 gal.
How would you suggest to clean these to ready them for Discus. They were reef tanks, no holes drilled. I will be using Aquaclears, sponge filters and two heaters in each - what sizes do you recommend? Only problem I see is turning the 55 on its side to rinse????? Maybe I can turn it on its back???
Any help is appreciated!!!
Thanks!!
Karen

[sean buehrle]

stand it on its end. whatever you use to clean it out just make sure you get rid of it all with a washrag and tons of water.
make sure you rinse really well up at the top of the tank where the frame is at because soaps, cleaners get stuck in there and could drop into the tank at a later date.

[Carol_Roberts]

Razor blades and green scrubby pads. Vinegar is a mild acid. Rubbing alcohol kills biological crud and totally evaporates

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

I normally fill it up to the top and scrub the side walls really good then add a few cups of bleach and let it set for a few hours. then I drain, refill, scrub again and drain and let air dry for a few days. Oh, make sure you get underneath the top trim too.

-Ryan

[KD]

Sean, Carol & Ryan,
THANKS!!! You guys are great!!!!
Karen

[Tad]

I use bleach and scrub with a paper towel and for those built up areas I also use a razor blade. Lots of rinsing with clear water, wipe out with paper towels and then air dry for at least 24 hours.
If the tank had housed sickly and or diseased fish I would use Potassium Permanganate in solution as part of the process.

Works well for me,
Tad

[KD]

Hi Tad,
It housed salt water fish and Live Rock etc.
Wouldn't the bleach kill everything? I don't think they were diseased, can fresh water fish get salt water diseases?
Thanks!!!
Karen

[Tad]

KD,
Im not familar with salt water diseases..but I would think in your specific case of converting a former saltwater tank to a freshwater tank would only take some chlorine solution to disinfect. Rinse very well and air dry! Obviously there may be some salt buildups that require a razor blade or one of those green scrub pads to remove...but in my opinion you should be ok with the chlorine..

regards,
Tad :)

[Discusthing]

KD, it is my understanding that diseases do not transfer between salt and fresh. I converted two tanks from salt to fresh. One for Cichilds and one for Discus. I just used plenty of fresh water and scrubed everything down. If for some reason you are using the gravel from these tanks make sure you rinse it very well as it takes awhile to remove the salt.

[sean buehrle]

im pretty sure that diseases are a whole different animal in salt and fresh. thats why you can take a freshwater fish and give it a salt dip and a salt fish and give it a freshwater dip.

what a freshwater dip treats on salt fish, it can kill parasites on the skin and gills like ick,flukes,velvet.

it doesnt work on viral or bacterial or fungas.

How it works. By osmosis, water naturally flows into the cells of these parasites, causing the cell membranes to rupture, killing the parasite.

and im sure you know what benifits salt has for freshwater fish.

[BGTW]

Bah, just use plain tap water and nice sponge bath.

And while you are it, use a little HCL (muriartic acid, I think) to clean the stubborn stains at the rim.

Idea is to clean it. It won't need disinfection, I am sure.

Bob

[KD]

Good Morning All,
Thanks for the great info!!
My hubby and I scraped them down last night with a razor blade and water and they look brand new. I may do an alcohol wash and rinse to be extra safe. That's rubbing alcohol I presume? Maybe a mixed alcohol when it's done :o- LOL!!! I do not use gravel.
Thanks to all of you - your wonderful :-*
Karen