Need some advice

[BlueExorcist]

I purchased a used red sea reefer 250 a couple days ago. The tank is in awesome shape it's only a few months old there is no scratches or any type of defects. The only thing is that's it's pretty dirty, theres some green algae film on the glass and ALOT of dried coraline algae inside the overflow box and in the sump. I'm asking if theres any way to clean that out or if I even need to clean it out..? (Obviously I would clean the algae film off the glass) I'm mostly talking about the dried coraline algae. As you know the tank itself is very heavy and I definitely wouldn't want to turn it on its side or anything. Sorry for the long post but this is my first red sea tank and only my second saltwater tank I've ever had so I dont have the most knowledge about stuff like this any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wick3d_1]

Vinegar and water. Let it soak in that then scrub. It'll remove a good bit. You can use a shop vac to pull the water out if you don't wanna turn the tank sideways. Make sure to plug the bulkhead hole.

 

[BlueExorcist]

Vinegar and water. Let it soak in that then scrub. It'll remove a good bit. You can use a shop vac to pull the water out if you don't wanna turn the tank sideways. Make sure to plug the bulkhead holholes

So the vinegar wont hurt anything, like once you've gotten all the water/vinegar out and start filling the tank?

 

[Wick3d_1]

So the vinegar wont hurt anything, like once you've gotten all the water/vinegar out and start filling the tank?

I'd let it dry for a few days then rinse with water. But yes, it'll be fine.

 

[BlueExorcist]

I'd let it dry for a few days then rinse with water. But yes, it'll be fine.

Ok awesome I didnt know you could use a shop vac to suck out water either haha

 

[Wick3d_1]

Ok awesome I didnt know you could use a shop vac to suck out water either haha

They are wet/dry vacuums lol So water doesn't hurt them.

 

[elysics]

Maybe get a bag of citric acid instead, usually in the shelves by the coffee machine cleaning stuff, a tank full of vinegar water in your living room doesn't smell all that nice

 

[BlueExorcist]

Maybe get a bag of citric acid instead, usually in the shelves by the coffee machine cleaning stuff, a tank full of vinegar water in your living room doesn't smell all that nice

Do you have any advice on how to get the citric acid mix out of the tank after I clean it?

 

[Wick3d_1]

I don't recommend cleaning the tank inside the house. I leak tested and cleaned our tank outside. Just in case. I don't trust the bulkhead covers that much. And if it's not plumbed, you run the risk of leaking around those pre drilled holes.

 

[elysics]

Do you have any advice on how to get the citric acid mix out of the tank after I clean it?

Siphoning with a tube, using a pump, shop vac as was already mentioned, rinsing with rodi, towels to get the stubborn rest, whatever feels easiest to you

Pump and long tube is convenient especially if a drain or door to the outside isn't all that close to the tank

 

[BlueExorcist]

Do you have any advice on how to get the citric acid mix out of the tank after I clean it?

What do you mean? Siphoning with a tube, using a pump, shop vac as was already mentioned, rinsing with rodi, towels to get the stubborn rest

I dont have a shop vac so I was wondering of other ways to drain the water idk why I didnt think of using the gravel vac to drain it lol

 

[Snoopy 67]

You can soak paper towels & they will stick to the glass where placed.
Vinegar will do just fine & a quick rinse will be OK. Many dose vinegar for nitrates.