Dire need for cleaning advice!

[eq2118]

HI,
i took in a used 55 gal acrylic tank and it is REALLY DIRTY. tons of algae and left over sand all over. all the tubing is filthy and such. it is a great set up just needs some cleaning done to it. how do i go about getting the sand out?......a dry vac? i hear i should soak everything in white vinegar? can i use water as well. thanks so much for the help. it is going to be awesome!
thanks!

 

[squidd]

Sounds like you just need to roll up the old sleeves and open a big can of "Elbow Grease"
Rinse everything well,water will wash out most all the sand, use straight vinegar to remove lime/calcium build up, plastic blades to scrape off old algae, and probably just replace the tubing if it's too grungy to clean...or you could run a round "tube brush"on a string through it.
No soap or bleach,rinse again then add water,salt,sand,live rock, and a dead shrimp to start cycle and your good to go...

 

[eq2118]

thank you! (and you are right that i just need to get going on that cleaning!)

 

[dreeves]

Everything that squid said except the bleach...
You can use bleach...ensure it is unscented bleach...and when you are finished rinsing you shouldnt be able to smell any of the bleach..if you do smell bleach...rinse more.

 

[eq2118]

wow that is the first time i hear to use bleach! i dont think i even knew there was an unscented bleach.
is bleach good for the acrylic though?

 

[dreeves]

Dont know about the acrylic...you may email a plastics company and ask them.
Bleach is bleach...we purify our drinking water systems with bleach. Sodium Hypochlorite. When the smell is gone...the bleach is gone. I dont think I would use it on spongy type items such as filtration sponges or similar, but any non-porour items it would be fine.
The issue with bleach in the aquaria hobby is it will kill all bacteria it comes in contact with. There may be other issues, but I am unaware of any. I am sure direct contact with marine life probably isnt a good thing, but with a highly diluted form which may be missed during rinsing probably would not cause much havoc with them, barring corals.