Cleaning empty fish tank

[5t3IIa]

Anyone got more/better advice than this? How To Safely Clean A Second Hand Fish Tank or Aquarium

They mean white not-for-eating vinegar, right? Examples?

Could I use scrubbing pads from Sainsbury's? Like, plain plastic 'net' things, not sponges? Glass tank

Thanks

 

[Mumbles274]

Seems good advice, and sponge with nothing impregnated in it should be ok, brand new obviously

 

[unrepentant85]

How dirty is the tank? Or is it just to decontaminate it before setting up a new tank?

They will just mean normal white vinegar, I have seen it recommend for cleaning lots of stuff over the years.

The approved scrubbing pads is a slight gimmick imo. The scrubbing pads you get from a pet shop are slightly less abrasive and gritty so less likely to leave bits in your tank after use. However, I have only ever used 10 for a quid Poundland sponge scourers and they have been fine. You really dont need much force when cleaning with them. But be careful as it doesn't take a lot to scratch the glass.

Buckets - Must have! For water changes, cleaning, temporary fish storage etc. I have a couple of 99p buckets from B&M that do the job. If you have a big tank thank bigger buckets are easier.

I have always found good soak in warm soapy water then rinse will do the trick for cleaning a tank ( I base that on having cleaned 3 ). All your ornaments, wood, fake plants and filter attachments can get a quick boil in water if you really want to decontaminate them.

Any other fishy related questions just ask

 

[weltweit]

I was thinking of replacing a filter in my pond's pump with scourers from a supermarket but apparently, as I discovered before I tried it, some scourers are impregnated with something which kills fish!

 

[unrepentant85]

Im not sure if the sponges are the same in aquarium filters as pond ones but I know a lot of people buy big pieces off ebay and cut to size as needed.

 

[Mumbles274]

You can also get those magnetic cleaning things, more suited to when in use I suppose?

 

[5t3IIa]

How dirty is the tank? Or is it just to decontaminate it before setting up a new tank?

They will just mean normal white vinegar, I have seen it recommend for cleaning lots of stuff over the years.

The approved scrubbing pads is a slight gimmick imo. The scrubbing pads you get from a pet shop are slightly less abrasive and gritty so less likely to leave bits in your tank after use. However, I have only ever used 10 for a quid Poundland sponge scourers and they have been fine. You really dont need much force when cleaning with them. But be careful as it doesn't take a lot to scratch the glass.

Buckets - Must have! For water changes, cleaning, temporary fish storage etc. I have a couple of 99p buckets from B&M that do the job. If you have a big tank thank bigger buckets are easier.

I have always found good soak in warm soapy water then rinse will do the trick for cleaning a tank ( I base that on having cleaned 3 ). All your ornaments, wood, fake plants and filter attachments can get a quick boil in water if you really want to decontaminate them.

Any other fishy related questions just ask

Thanks v much!

This tank has been sat about with tide marks of hard water and the gravel in an inch of wet >.< Just want to spruce it up all shiny and clean for potential occupants I have experience in keeping shubunkins so happy to go forward, it's just the initial scrub up I want to do right. I need a new bucket

 

[unrepentant85]

Photo when its set up please

 

[Callie]

Scrub it with salt wetted with bleach. That'll do it.

 

[5t3IIa]

Scrub it with salt wetted with bleach. That'll do it.

Bleach? You sure?

 

[Callie]

You're going to use it as a plant pot afterwards right?

(Do not use bleach or salt ((((feeeesh))))) )

 

[5t3IIa]

You're going to use it as a plant pot afterwards right?

(Do not use bleach or salt ((((feeeesh))))) )

Oh stop it!

That link up there says to use ordinary salt for scrubbing purposes

 

[Callie]

Oh maybe salt is ok? I thought it might be residue-y and potentially make the water salty for sea fish not rivers fish. Where do shibumkins live in the wild??

 

[5t3IIa]

Oh maybe salt is ok? I thought it might be residue-y and potentially make the water salty for sea fish not rivers fish. Where do shibumkins live in the wild??

Shibumkins

Shubunkins aren't indigenous to anywhere really - they were created by a Japanese dude (?) But they are freshwater fish, yes. Tabby goldfish