Safe way to clean a used tank

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Hermiesguardian
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Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by Hermiesguardian » Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:32 pm

I'm buying a used 90 gallon tomorrow and need to know a safe way to do a thorough cleaning.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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NLindsey921
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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by NLindsey921 » Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:44 pm

Most people on here use diluted vinegar.

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by aussieJJDude » Thu Jan 11, 2018 4:38 pm

Bleach works well in killing bacteria, and well as any other hitchhiking organism, just be sure to wash it out fully.

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by wodesorel » Thu Jan 11, 2018 5:49 pm

On a 90?? I did my 75s in the yard with an unscented natural dish soap and then scrubbed them down with straight ammonia, let sit for 10 minutes, and rinsed well, then had my hubby carry them in.

I have a 90 with a crack that I have yet to set up that I will probably scrub in place with vinegar to get the debris off and then sterilise with a wipe down of bleach (I like ammonia for cleaning and sterilising more but it has to be used outside) which would have to air dry for a few days before a final wipe down with water and then vinegar to get rid of the streaks. He can barely move that tank so it will be going straight from point a to point b!

On small tanks I usually use dishsoap and then ammonia or bleach, but they can be washed in the yard or shower and rinsed well. Huge tanks are so much more difficult!

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by Hermiesguardian » Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:49 pm

wodesorel wrote:On a 90?? I did my 75s in the yard with an unscented natural dish soap and then scrubbed them down with straight ammonia, let sit for 10 minutes, and rinsed well, then had my hubby carry them in.

I have a 90 with a crack that I have yet to set up that I will probably scrub in place with vinegar to get the debris off and then sterilise with a wipe down of bleach (I like ammonia for cleaning and sterilising more but it has to be used outside) which would have to air dry for a few days before a final wipe down with water and then vinegar to get rid of the streaks. He can barely move that tank so it will be going straight from point a to point b!

On small tanks I usually use dishsoap and then ammonia or bleach, but they can be washed in the yard or shower and rinsed well. Huge tanks are so much more difficult!

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This is gonna be harder than I thought. Lol
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by GotButterflies » Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:24 pm

I like white vinegar and water. Lemon works great for hard water stains. :)


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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by NLindsey921 » Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:13 pm

I read something awhile back about hardwater stains. It was for a bathtub but it will probably work for a tank as well. Cut a lemon in half and cover it in salt and then use the salt covered lemon to scrub it down.

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:13 pm

NLindsey921 wrote:I read something awhile back about hardwater stains. It was for a bathtub but it will probably work for a tank as well. Cut a lemon in half and cover it in salt and then use the salt covered lemon to scrub it down.

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Can confirm this works well, but consider wearing gloves - it's brutal on your hands.
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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by curlysister » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:21 pm

I used diluted vinegar and water, then rinsed with RO and let it air out for a couple of days before moving the crabs in.
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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by Hermiesguardian » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:28 pm

Thanks everyone. We used diluted vinegar. It's been set up and occupied and they seem happy. I haven't seen any smiles though. Lol. And, as usual, a 90 gallon still does not seem big enough.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:39 pm

Hermiesguardian wrote:Thanks everyone. We used diluted vinegar. It's been set up and occupied and they seem happy. I haven't seen any smiles though. Lol. And, as usual, a 90 gallon still does not seem big enough.

:lol: I know, right? I fantasize about building a crazy big tat. But then I wonder if even that would truly be enough...
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(

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Hermiesguardian
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Re: Safe way to clean a used tank

Post by Hermiesguardian » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:51 pm

LadyJinglyJones wrote:
Hermiesguardian wrote:Thanks everyone. We used diluted vinegar. It's been set up and occupied and they seem happy. I haven't seen any smiles though. Lol. And, as usual, a 90 gallon still does not seem big enough.

:lol: I know, right? I fantasize about building a crazy big tat. But then I wonder if even that would truly be enough...
It wouldn't be enough. You know that. :hlol: I know I have room for at least 1 more crab, but I hesitate. What if there's really no room? Oh..oh...I suggested to my husband yesterday, that I can use the 40gal breeder they just came out of, as a topper!!! Same width. He wasn't very happy at that.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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