How to sterilize a fish tank?

[Discusdude7]

How do you sterilize an old, dirty tank?
If any one has any ideas on how to sterilize this tank let me know please..I need to use it for QT when fish from Kenny arrive.
Thanks
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1381873633.152431.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1381873655.816906.jpg

I don't have PP..

*and don't worry I don't plan on keeping that background lol

[Skip]

spray down entire inside with RUBBING ALCOHOL.. let it air dry done..

I have also used hydrogen peroxide..

or..

fill it up.. a little bleach.. and then rinse. and the rinse..

all three would work..

[Nu2Discus]

If you have calcium build up it comes off with vinegar. The stronger the concentration, the easier it is to remove.

To sterile, I was told to mix up bleach in a 1:19 ratio with water and put it in a squirt bottle and spray away. Then leave it overnight. The next day rinse well, and finally add water and prime to rinse again. Then check for chlorine to make sure it's all gone.

[Discusdude7]

spray down entire inside with RUBBING ALCOHOL.. let it air dry done..

I have also used hydrogen peroxide..

or..

fill it up.. a little bleach.. and then rinse. and the rinse..

all three would work..

How would I MAKE SURE that there is no bleach/rubbing alchohol left inside?
Last thing I need is for all fish to die because of bleach residue. And just to make clear..I let the rubbing alchohol AIR DRY without wiping sides with it first? Thnx

[Discusdude7]

If you have calcium build up it comes off with vinegar. The stronger the concentration, the easier it is to remove.

To sterile, I was told to mix up bleach in a 1:19 ratio with water and put it in a squirt bottle and spray away. Then leave it overnight. The next day rinse well, and finally add water and prime to rinse again. Then check for chlorine to make sure it's all gone.

Thank you..and how do I check for chlorine?? So don't wipe sides with bleach, just spray ?didnt know the vinegar thing , thanks

[Chicago Discus]

Just use bleach fill the tank up with warm water pour in a 1/4 cup of bleach per 50 gallons and use a pump to agitate the water let sit for 24 hours flush the tank out then refill with water and double dose the tank with prime let sit 24 hours drain and let air dry for a minimum of 24 hour. Make the tank is bone dry them refill and start using the tank......Josie

[Nu2Discus]

To actually check for chlorine you have to get some sort of test kit for it. I got mine from the filter guys, when I ordered my filter. I would think any test for chlorine would work. But I have heard that the pool kits are not sensitive enough. I haven't tried those.

[Discusdude7]

Just use bleach fill the tank up with warm water pour in a 1/4 cup of bleach per 50 gallons and use a pump to agitate the water let sit for 24 hours flush the tank out then refill with water and double dose the tank with prime let sit 24 hours drain and let air dry for a minimum of 24 hour. Make the tank is bone dry them refill and start using the tank......Josie

Thanks Josie, can I use an airstone?

[Skip]

Alcohol evaporates... gone...

Hydrogen peroxide becomes water...

[Discusdude7]

Don't have xtra Airpump. Can I just let water sit or will that make the bleach in effective?..

[Chicago Discus]

Don't have xtra Airpump. Can I just let water sit or will that make the bleach in effective?..

no it will work I just like to move the water around when Im sterilizing a tank

[Discusdude7]

Here's the plan:
1. Fill tank up w/ warm water and add bleach
2. Let it sit for 24 hrs
3. Empty and fill with water doubled dosed with Safe
4. Empty after 24 hrs
5. Let air dry for 48 hrs
6. Fill tank with water and add "dither" fish to make sure bleach is gone, leave fish in there for 2 days and if they aren't dead then I will empty tank and put it aside until new arrivals come.

Please tell me if I need to modify/add a step,
Thanks

[Chicago Discus]

Here's the plan:
1. Fill tank up w/ warm water and add bleach
2. Let it sit for 24 hrs
3. Empty and fill with water doubled dosed with Safe
4. Empty after 24 hrs
5. Let air dry for 48 hrs
6. Fill tank with water and add "dither" fish to make sure bleach is gone, leave fish in there for 2 days and if they aren't dead then I will empty tank and put it aside until new arrivals come.

Please tell me if I need to modify/add a step,
Thanks

sounds good no need to add fish to test this method will work and is very safe.......Josie

[Discusdude7]

sounds good no need to add fish to test this method will work and is very safe.......Josie

Ok thanks!..Just a bid of assurance that's all, my first time bleaching a tank

[Second Hand Pat]

Another thing R is make sure the tank is flat and level before filling with water and allowed to sit.