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Hi,

I have recently been given a 81 Litre tank that contains the original gravel.
it has been left sitting with water in it for several months and doest smell great.

Is it worth cleaning the existing gravel (If so which is the best method) or buying new (Does this need to be prepared in anyway)

Many Thanks

Leon

Gravel is cheap, ditch the old, smelly, rotten, slime covered disease infested stuff and get new

New, standard aquarium gravel needs nothing more than a few rinses to get the dust from shipping and packing off, and it's good to go

Also, clean out the tank well if it's been sitting. Check all the silicone parts to makes sure none have cracked.

A new razor blade (don't cut yourself) and some vinegar will get off any of the crusty, white stains left beind by hard water

Thanks alot

It really depends on your budget.

Why get new stuff when it really only needs a good clean. If you buy new stuff then you are still going to need to clean it as well.

I would save the money for plants/fish or what ever you want to put in the tank.

To clean it get a few buckets and take the gravel out and put it into the buckets. Get a little bit in a strainer/sive (thing with hole in to drain your pasta - but get a new one as you won't want to use it for food afterwards!) rinse/wash the gravel until the water coming off it is clean.

Once this is done clean the tank and position it. And you are good to roll. Put the gravel back in and add water.

Good luck.