Aquarium cleaning

[Tyger]

Greetings Folks,

I came across a 25-Gallon that is being given away though the tank was poorly kept and will require a serious cleaning including to deal with the smell. I was thinking of filling the tank to the brim with tap water and a cup of bleech, letting it soak, and giving it a good cleaning in one-two days. I did, however, want to check whether soaking the tank with bleech is a good idea or what others might recommend. Open to any suggestions.

~Tyger (Michael)~

 

[Biollante]

Heloise disguised as a potted plant

Hi Michael,


Household bleach (5% Sodium hypochlorite) at 19:1, bleach: water, is a wonderful disinfectant.:gw


Wash the tank as best you can, use something like original Dawn dish detergent and water.


For a good glass cleaner; in a bucket mix:

• ½ cup household ammonia (Preferably no additives)
• 1 teaspoon original Dawn
  
• 1.75 cups rubbing alcohol (90% isopropyl alcohol)
  
• add enough water to make a 1 gallon of solution
  
• (Bottle and use as window/surface cleaner.)
  

Clean nasty aquarium, use toothbrush to get along the seams.

• (hint: do not let your significant other catch you using their toothbrush.)

Rinse well. Let set overnight or at least air dry, rinse again.


Then clean the aquarium again using the 19:1 bleach: water solution.

Rinse air dry at least 24 hours and it should be good to use.



Biollante

 

[shoggoth43]

Bleach will work. It's harsh but a side benefit is that you can use dechlorinator to neutralize it.

I've also used salt to scrub with since it also rinses out and isn't likely to scratch anything.

Simple Green has also worked well. In most cases as long as it's non toxic and you can rinse it out pretty easily you should be fine.

-
S