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	Tank cleaning
tankgrrrl Enthusiast Posts: 255 Kudos: 50 Votes: 10 Registered: 06-May-2003	What can I use to clean the inside of my empty tank that won't be toxic to the fish before I set it up again? It is acrylic, so I want to be careful not to scratch it, but it has some filmy kinda build-up inside left from when it was up and running before I moved 2 months ago. Would vinegar be toxic? I am just trying to think of something that doesn't have a lot of chemicals, and isn't going to cost much. Thanks, Lauren
Posted 18-Sep-2006 17:32
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	Lauren, I do know that they make special scrubbing pads that are suppose to be safe on acrylic tanks. I have a small 5 gallon acrylic tank and I have used these pads on this tank and it hasn't seemed to harm them. Just make sure you utilize plenty of water when doing so as to cut down on any possiblity of friction building up and make sure there is no gravel/sand that may get under the pad. I've used vinegar pretty successfully on glass tanks, but have never attempted to use it on acrylic. Jim Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Posted 18-Sep-2006 17:36
Bob Wesolowski Mega Fish Posts: 1379 Kudos: 1462 Registered: 14-Oct-2004	Lauren, You may hate this answer... Use a 1:19 solution of bleach and water with the acrylic safe pad. After cleaning, you should flush the inside of the tank with water until the bleach smell is gone. When you fill the tank, use a double dose of Prime or similar chlorine/chloramine product. __________ "To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research." researched from Steven Wright
Posted 19-Sep-2006 00:49
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	If you can locate the cleaning pads in Aust I use a pad made for ceramic and glass products they are very good. I personally would try cleaning it with the pad only with running water if that does not work do as Bob recommended. What you will have to remember is not to be heavy handed with the pad wear it down a bit first. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 19-Sep-2006 03:12
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	I've had a lot of luck with white vinegar when it comes to cleaning tanks. It is highly acidic so it will get most anything off the acrylic, but it is also non-toxic to fish. I personally would be wary about using bleach on acrylic... I know acrylic tanks will sometimes absorb ich meds and turn slightly bluish, so that makes me wonder if the acrylic is capable of absorbing some bleach and then leaching it back into the water. I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 19-Sep-2006 05:03
tankgrrrl Enthusiast Posts: 255 Kudos: 50 Votes: 10 Registered: 06-May-2003	Thanks Guys, those were very helpful answers. I do have some kind of pad for taking algae off of acrylic, but ,ve never had much luck with it. The stuff thats still on my tank is like a residue left from algae, that even my pleco couldn't get off! Maybe I'll start with some vinegar and the pad and go from there. Thanks again! Lauren/:'
Posted 19-Sep-2006 14:59


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