Best way to clean old used tank?

[symphony]

I am getting a 100G tank/stand/hood/filters for free. It's from a family friend who has not used the tank in 8 yrs. it's packed in the basement I didn't get a good look at what type of filters she has, but the tank is pretty clean, just some old gravel/shells at the bottom and some dust on the glass. other wise looks very clean. What should I use to clean this tank on the inside? anything I shold watch out for since it has not been used in so long? I am going to pick it up Thurs. evening 4/2/09.

Thanks.

 

[shaggyblz]

Vinegar soak and scrub. I would also fill it up with fresh water and let it sit for a while to make sure there are no leaks.

 

[vishnuborg]

99 percent alcohol works well in conjunction with vinegar, and it evaporates cleanly. You just pour some into a clean microfiber cloth, and start scrubbing the tank with this and another vinegar cloth. Then using a sponge and a clean squeegee, remove the wet dust, and blow dry on high heat at a reasonable distance. Now using a different micro fiber cloth, dust the inside in long swipes (dry) and use a watery microfiber cloth to scrub down the insides finally. If you want, you can add some dissolved calcium to the fresh water to counteract the vinegar, but just remember to scrub that off too.

 

[symphony]

Will do. Thank You for your comments. I appreciate it.

 

[eric b 125]

keep in mind if you are using a sponge make sure it doesnt have any anti-microbial/anit-bacterial agents in it. i suggest not even using a sponge at all, just some good ole fashioned paper towels or coffee filters.

 

[eric b 125]

btw, be sure to post some pics of your new tank tonight when you pick it up!!!

 

[salt210]

def check for leaks and look at the seams for any visible deteriation(sp?)

 

[symphony]

I will def. post. pics.
we have tons of microfiber towels around, but I have washed them used detergend and fabric softener. okay to use them or stick to news paper?

 

[symphony]

okay so I got the tank, supposed to be 100G, But It looks a little small. It turns out to be acrylic. The stand and hood is home made. the hood will need replacement brackets they are rusted so it will not open. also the light set up is missing. Also will have to strip and repaint the stand/hood. She had a canister filter, this two part acrylic box with bio balls, and an over the back filter. the over the back filter is toast, threw away bio balls/they were gross. the shells at the bottom of the tank sad to say had hermits in most of them. there is one power head and a heater, chances of these working after so much time is slim to none, not to mention reliability. but they are there. I bought new hoses. and will start to clean everything, but until I can get the stand/hood up to par I will not be able to set it up. it appears to have fine scratches on it, any way to repair these, or will it look better filled?

 

[bpro32]

what are the dimensions on that? there is an easy calculation to find what size tank that is. If I'm not mistaken I think lxwxh/231?? Either way there is a website that will do it for you.

 

[symphony]

interesting, i'm not sure, i'll have to take the tape measure out and see. I would like to know for sure.

 

[symphony]

thought it looked awful small, based on outside measurements it's 46G, so inside it's probably 45G. I guess beggers can't be choosers it was free.

Gravel is out now, will work on cleaning the tank tomorrow.