Deciding to restart...

[theuksnoobreefer]

After all the issues i've had with my Fluval Evo, I've taken the decision to start over from scratch.

I'm going to bin both the rock and sand, and start again with new. I've also decided to make my own salt water mix as my LFS was providing inconsistent water which was annoying.

My question is, how can I clean the tank and items such as heater, pump etc. Citric Acid? I want to ensure everything is as clean as can be so I have a fresh slate to start with.

 

[Fish Fan]

To clean any mineral deposits or calcium build up, use citric acid. You can fill the tank with tap water, add the acid, turn the pump on, and let it run for like 4-24 hours, that takes care of most of the hard to remove stuff. You can use white vinegar too, but the citric acid is said to be easier on pumps and gear.

The acid almost certainly has a sanitizing effect as well, but if you're really looking to sanitize the tank (like if you had a pathogen previously), you can clean it in a 10% bleach solution (9 parts water and 1 part bleach). Look for plain bleach, no perfumes or the "no-splash" version. Rinse the tank with plain water afterwards and allow the tank to dry out completely. Any residual chlorine from the bleach is neutralized once it dries.

 

[Rp8]

I have used muratic acid as well. Takes care of all biologics left behind. Just be careful, dilute with water or use gloves

 

[Fish Fan]

I have used muratic acid as well. Takes care of all biologics left behind. Just be careful, dilute with water or use gloves

That stuff is no joke lol! Definitely use full PPE if you're going to use muriatic acid.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Citric acid for the tank and gear. Put your rock in a bucket with household bleach at 1 cup per gallon and soak for a couple days. Rinse the rock well with water and air dry. Let the chlorine gas off or use Aqueon water conditioner to accelerate the process.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

To clean any mineral deposits or calcium build up, use citric acid. You can fill the tank with tap water, add the acid, turn the pump on, and let it run for like 4-24 hours, that takes care of most of the hard to remove stuff. You can use white vinegar too, but the citric acid is said to be easier on pumps and gear.

The acid almost certainly has a sanitizing effect as well, but if you're really looking to sanitize the tank (like if you had a pathogen previously), you can clean it in a 10% bleach solution (9 parts water and 1 part bleach). Look for plain bleach, no perfumes or the "no-splash" version. Rinse the tank with plain water afterwards and allow the tank to dry out completely. Any residual chlorine from the bleach is neutralized once it dries.

I had ich and was running fallow, so I’m thinking maybe the bleach route might be the way forward?

 

[Fish Fan]

I had ich and was running fallow, so I’m thinking maybe the bleach route might be the way forward?

If you went fallow for 40-60 days, the Ich should be gone. The citric acid would likely kill any remaining Ich you might have, but bleach would do it for sure.

 

[Uncle99]

Why not just bin the rock for 60 days dark and replace the sand?

Ick will be gone, rocks should be back cycled.

Put it back together and move forward.

Unless infested with Aptasia.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

If you went fallow for 40-60 days, the Ich should be gone. The citric acid would likely kill any remaining Ich you might have, but bleach would do it for sure.

Been fallow since Jan 28th ish. Would I be able to bleach everything for example the pump and heater?

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Why not just bin the rock for 60 days dark and replace the sand?

Ick will be gone, rocks should be back cycled.

Put it back together and move forward.

Unless infested with Aptasia.

I want to restart ASAP that is why. I've already fallowed since 26th of Jan and waiting another 60 days will just make me want to quit the hobby :)

 

[Tahoe61]

I want to restart ASAP that is why. I've already fallowed since 26th of Jan and waiting another 60 days will just make me want to quit the hobby :)

Empty the tank. Put in new rock and sand, fill with fresh RO water, turn on filtration and let it run a day or two, then add the salt and recycle the tank using Dr.Tims or similar products.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Empty the tank. Put in new rock and sand, fill with fresh RO water, turn on filtration and let it run a day or two, then add the salt and recycle the tank using Dr.Tims or similar products.

Without doing a deep clean?

 

[Tahoe61]

Without doing a deep clean?

Rinse the tank out let it dry and proceed as above. Since the tank has been fallow since January there really shouldn't be carry over pathogen. Let the tank run with freshwater a couple days, the osmotic pressure will kill any pathogens left. Dump the salt mix directly into the tank, and cycle. Of course don't add anything to the tank until completely cycled.

 

[Fish Fan]

After all the issues i've had with my Fluval Evo

What exactly was going on in your tank? If you've let it go fallow since January any fish parasites should be gone. What else were you dealing with?

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

What exactly was going on in your tank? If you've let it go fallow since January any fish parasites should be gone. What else were you dealing with?

Was just ich as far as im aware. I did want to upgrade and buy a brand new tank, but after a long think I'm going to give this tank another shot.

 

[Lukes Saltwater Tank]

Looks like there is already some good input here but here's my experience..

I've cleaned tanks before with vinegar and paper towels, wet the towels with vinegar and line the tank with them, leave for a few hours and keep wetting everything then give it all a good scrub. It'll clean up like new.
This way you don't have to fill the tank with water and dilute the vinegar.

Pumps and other gear go in a bucket with an ro / vinegar solution and get the same treatment

 

[Fish Fan]

Was just ich as far as im aware. I did want to upgrade and buy a brand new tank, but after a long think I'm going to give this tank another shot.

If Ich is/was your only concern, the fallow period should have taken care of that. I don't believe you would have to do a whole reboot here.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

If Ich is/was your only concern, the fallow period should have taken care of that. I don't believe you would have to do a whole reboot here.

I will fell at ease doing a full reboot if i'm honest haha.

 

[Fish Fan]

I will fell at ease doing a full reboot if i'm honest haha.

I get that :)

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

I get that :)

I’ll try the bleach method. Is there any specific type of bleach that should be used, or just any ‘household’ bleach?