What’s the best way to clean used tank

[canadianeh]

I got a great deal on used IM 25 lagoon tank, skimmer, reactor, and return pump. But, I have never bought anything used before.

How and what is the best way to clean them?

thanks in advance.

 

[ZoWhat]

Straight up 5% vinegar and new shop rags

Be prepared for your eyes, nose and throat to burn like crazy taking on the fumes

 

[Zakery Murray]

Water vinegar.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Make a paste out of Bar Keeper’s Friend (Walmart, Amazon), use a rag and a lot of elbow grease, rinse tank well.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I just fill the tank with water and add citric acid. Let it run for a few hours (or days) and EVERYTHING will either be gone, or wipe right off. Easy as that.

 

[mdb_talon]

+1 vinegar. I also find bleach works well also but fumes are worse but can use it if that all you got. Never use both at same time though !

 

[Jilly92]

I got a great deal on used IM 25 lagoon tank, skimmer, reactor, and return pump. But, I have never bought anything used before.

How and what is the best way to clean them?

thanks in advance.

I boil water and vinegar and let them sit in large plastic tote for like 6 hours and soak. Then scrub with vinegar and rinse with rodi

 

[canadianeh]

I just fill the tank with water and add citric acid. Let it run for a few hours (or days) and EVERYTHING will either be gone, or wipe right off. Easy as that.

This sounds the easiest! Is citric acid available at Home Depot?? Is it safe for skimmer, return pump, reactor and all other equipment parts?

 

[CanuckReefer]

This sounds the easiest! Is citric acid available at Home Depot?? Is it safe for skimmer, return pump, reactor and all other equipment parts?

It's definitely easy.. and safe/cheap to utilize. You could literally make it yourself without much effort.. it's a simple organic acid.

 

[canadianeh]

It's definitely easy.. and safe/cheap to utilize. You could literally make it yourself without much effort.. it's a simple organic acid.

Is it safe for skimmer, return pump, reactor and all other equipment parts and tank silicone?

 

[Oiva]

Is it safe for skimmer, return pump, reactor and all other equipment parts and tank silicone?

Most people use it for cleaning pumps and so.

 

[lpsouth1978]

This sounds the easiest! Is citric acid available at Home Depot?? Is it safe for skimmer, return pump, reactor and all other equipment parts?

I dont think Home Depot sells it. I get mine on Amazon. It is safe for all pumps and equipment. There are theories that it may even be safer than vinegar on pumps and magnets. It also won't leave you, your home, and all of your equipment smelling like vinegar.

 

[canadianeh]

I dont think Home Depot sells it. I get mine on Amazon. It is safe for all pumps and equipment. There are theories that it may even be safer than vinegar on pumps and magnets. It also won't leave you, your home, and all of your equipment smelling like vinegar.

So how much I need for 25 gallons tank? Can I use regular tap water?

 

[Susan Edwards]

cleaning strenth vinegar works great. Just add a lot to water, run your pumps for a day or 2. tap water good. Use a half bottle or even full. doesn't matter

 

[lpsouth1978]

So how much I need for 25 gallons tank? Can I use regular tap water?

I use tap water when cleaning a new tank. I would just fill the tank and get it running, then dump in a couple cups of citric acid, let it run for a few hours, try wiping off gunk, if it comes off easily you are good to go, if not run longer and/or add more citric acid.

 

[terraincognita]

So how much I need for 25 gallons tank? Can I use regular tap water?

I think walmart has it.

Just mix 1/2 cup per gallon I think.

With such a large volume you could probably do 1/2 a cup per 2 gallons.

The more you add, the more it will eat away at whatever is there. But Idk how bad the tank is.

Regular tap is 100% fine if you're just cleaning. You're not going to be leaving any of the water in there so it's fine.

Just do a proper drying after.

 

[canadianeh]

So I put in 10 cups of citric acid in the 25 gallon tank, and for some reason the next day the water turn to green??
Why?

 

[lpsouth1978]

So I put in 10 cups of citric acid in the 25 gallon tank, and for some reason the next day the water turn to green??
Why?

My guess would be all of the stuck on algae and crud was dissolved into the water/acid mix and tinted the water that green color.

 

[malacoda]

My guess would be all of the stuck on algae and crud was dissolved into the water/acid mix and tinted the water that green color.

+1 Just like a bath of vinegar+water turning purple after coralline-covered equipment is soaked in it.

 

[canadianeh]

Got it! Thanks