How to Clean a Used Tank

[Bear Claw]

Today I bought a used Fluval EVO 13.5 to use as a QT and I need to clean it. I have no clue how to clean tanks and I need help with it. I took all the equipment out of it. I'm going to fill it with water and put some chemical in it but I don't know which one is the best (citric acid, bleach, vinegar?). Also, how do you remove the water/chemicals after you let it sit and clean the tank so it doesn't affect the tank later on?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Today I bought a used Fluval EVO 13.5 to use as a QT and I need to clean it. I have no clue how to clean tanks and I need help with it. I took all the equipment out of it. I'm going to fill it with water and put some chemical in it but I don't know which one is the best (citric acid, bleach, vinegar?). Also, how do you remove the water/chemicals after you let it sit and clean the tank so it doesn't affect the tank later on?

What does it look like? Is there a lot of coralline build up? Just dried algae? Something else? You really don't need any chemicals unless you need to dissolve some calcium/coralline build up.

 

[pearlela]

Just spray with 50/50 mix of white vinegar with water to dissolve the build up and disinfect. Scrape off with a brush and rinse off with top water . Dry it and you are done .

 

[Bear Claw]

What does it look like? Is there a lot of coralline build up? Just dried algae? Something else? You really don't need any chemicals unless you need to dissolve some calcium/coralline build up.

Just some algae

 

[Bear Claw]

Just spray with 50/50 mix of white vinegar with water to dissolve the build up and disinfect. Scrape off with a brush and rinse off with top water . Dry it and you are done .

So you don't need to rinse it out really well to get the vinegar off?

 

[mfinn]

I'd just add a gallon of vinegar and fill with freshwater ( tap water) and let the pump circulate overnight.
Drain, rinse and wipe with an old towel.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

So you don't need to rinse it out really well to get the vinegar off?

No.

 

[Bear Claw]

No.

Since its only some algae film could I just use like a couple cups of vinegar instead of a gallon?

 

[mfinn]

Since its only some algae film could I just use like a couple cups of vinegar instead of a gallon?

If it just a light algae film, as mentioned just spray on a 50/50 mixture and wipe off.
A simple rinse will do after.

 

[Mikeltee]

If it's dry a pack of new Scraper razors works just fine as long as its glass. Being so small you could buy 5# of citric acid off of amazon and let it soak 24 hours. It would look brand new afterwards. Don't waste your time with vinegar.

 

[wzf106]

I used citric acid and left the tank i the garage a few days with the pump running

 

[mfinn]

If it's dry a pack of new Scraper razors works just fine as long as its glass. Being so small you could buy 5# of citric acid off of amazon and let it soak 24 hours. It would look brand new afterwards. Don't waste your time with vinegar.

While citric acid works well, so does vinegar.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Since its only some algae film could I just use like a couple cups of vinegar instead of a gallon?

You can wipe it down with a sponge and some vinegar/water. Algae film is not going to do any harm to the tank and neither will any traces of vinegar. Just clean it however you want, rinse well with tap water, and then start setting it up.

 

[JZ199]

Getting tons of stuck on algae and other gunk off my tank when I got it used, nothing was working easily until I used vinegar and also the original Mr.Clean magic erasers. They got the glass spotless and all the hard algae right off

 

[Idech]

Put it in the bath tub and use citric acid or vinegar. Let it soak for 2 days then rinse with the shower head. Wipe it, rinse again.

 

[Reefering1]

Put it in the bath tub and use citric acid or vinegar. Let it soak for 2 days then rinse with the shower head. Wipe it, rinse again.

Idk if I like the idea of filing it in a bathtub.. the tub is curved(mine is anyways), meaning it will only contact the very corners of the glass. Should be fine with a piece of wood, or something to give a flat surface, under it

 

[Idech]

Idk if I like the idea of filing it in a bathtub.. the tub is curved(mine is anyways), meaning it will only contact the very corners of the glass. Should be fine with a piece of wood, or something to give a flat surface, under it

Yeah, you know best. It would fit in mine, that’s why I suggested it. A rubbermaid tub would be good as well.