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I ran into a good deal at a garage sale down the street for a 20g tall tank and I would like to illicit the expertice of some of you who have dealt with this before. Being that I can pretty much that this won't be my last used tank purchase (can't afford to go new) it'll be nice to have your input. The questions that I have is what do I need to be aware of (other than obvious physical issues) I'm more worried about bacteria and the like. I know not to use any type of soap to clean the tank but I don't think hot water alone will do it. The tank is not dirty like I've seen other tanks at garage sales, I have a feeling that it was used as a reptile enclosure and not for fish. Is there a chemical or some type of solution that I could/should use to kill any type of harmful anything. I'm in no hurry to get this tank set up and I know that there are many different things that I should do and everyone does everything a little different so I'd like some feedback from the people who have dealt with used tanks before.

Another reason for this question is for future (and for now) cleansing of a hospital tank. A few of you may have read about how I was trying to nurse my rainbow back to health, unsuccesfully, and I would like to know what precautions I should take to make sure that that tank is sickness free in the case that I have to use it again.

I don't know much about what you can use to clean it, but I've heard(from the owner of my Lfs) that the feces from reptiles is fatal for fish, and that it is EXTREMELY hard to get rid of (supposedly, it is absorbed into the tank) The owner said that this woman who had the tank that was used for reptiles had to get rid of it, since her fish continually died!

Hmmm... I wasn't aware that glass was a very absorbant material, interesting. Anyone else have some thoughts?

hzrds

Knowing glass from a trade perspective, it is a porus product as it will certainly stain (as many have seen) As far as problems from a reptile tank I do not know. Also the sylcone "could" hold some nasties.

Just another good reason never buy second hand tanks, buyer beware.

Keith

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For $15 I couldn't pass it up. I would just like to hear from people that have bought second hand tanks what I can do to prepare the tank to get rid of some of the "nasties". The purpose of this tank will just be mainly to culture plants the only type of fisht that are going to be in there are guppy fry when the guppies give birth. Any suggestions on that?

I believe it can be cleaned with vinegar or a diluted bleach solution. Make sure to rinse well.

I received a tank from my aunt that was used. I used a sponge and a little dish soap, but I cleaned and rinsed then tank very well. It was in a 10g. I have been keeping fry in it and I haven't had any problems. Remember...I only used about the size of a dime to a quarter of dish soap (anti-bacterial). You can try this, but be careful and make sure you rinse, rinse, rinse...

Last edited by nickman713 at 19-Jun-2005 01:00

All of my major tanks or used (250 Gallon and a 180 Gallon).

Be sure to fill it and check for leaks, that's the first thing you should do. TO clean these tanks I used a special Aquarium Disinfectant and cleaned it probably 3 times.

Also be sure to test the tank out but putting some cheap goldfish or barbs that you don't mind losing before you add your showcase fish and this should reveal if you tank has any pollutants in it.

IMO you can clean it with vinegar & then rinse it well.
Make sure that the silicone is Ok & be 100% sure that it doesn't leak.
I don't know about repltile droppings, but you can always ask & recieve answers at The Recovery Room.



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nice warm water, vinegar and some aquarium salt
rinse well
good deal!


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Those are all great suggestions thanks a lot. I'll try some of those out. The tank doesn't have any leaks , except for the big one at the top when I leave the water running and walking away from it :#( (but my stupidity is a whole differnt story ).

Thanks.

Next: What about sanitizing a used hospital tank? Use similar methods?

Last edited by hzrds at 19-Jun-2005 11:18