Disinfecting Old Tank

[iMash]

I have been donated 2 moderately sized tanks that I want to play with and attempt (big emphasis on the attempt), to build a semi-aquatic setup using great stuff and a few other bits and pieces i have found on this site.

The problem being that previously, these were used as fish tanks and are quite dirty (visually, and I imagine biologically also).

What can I use to clean them first (purely from an aesthetic point of view)?

And also what can I do to ensure that they are disinfected safely to hopefully eventually house caudates?

Any suggestions are more than welcome.

 

[Azhael]

Personally i simply scrub with a brush and soap. Rinse VERY thoroughly!

For desinfecting you could place the tanks in direct sunlight for a couple of days, that should sterilize it rather well. I know people use a variety of methods, including bleach, but i´m too wary to use it...

 

[JeffX]

Soap and water works nicely. Sometimes especially with old tanks that haven't been cleaned in ages you'll need something stronger. I've used bleach in the past, and let it sit for a day. After a day I cleaned it our thoroughly with hot water. Then let it sit for a few days. I keep it open so it airs out. Bleach will clean it and disinfect, but you have to make sure you get it all out.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I use a razor blade and soapy water to remove dirt and grime. A vinegar solution also works for removing the hard water stains. If I am really leary about what was previously housed in the tank then I will clean it out with a 10% bleach solution, rinse it out really well, then let it air out in the sun for a few days.

 

[michael]

Vinegar works good for hard stains. Dilute Chlorine bleach works good for disinfectant. Don't use both at the same time. I think it will make a poisonous gas.

 

[evut]

I've used bleach on old tanks that I got. You can use a dechlorinator in a higher concentration with the last rinse to make sure there are no traces of chlorine left.
For water marks you can use a scourer. I use the scratchy (as apposred to non-scratch) green washing up sponges.

 

[Mac Myers]

I have been donated 2 moderately sized tanks that I want to play with and attempt (big emphasis on the attempt), to build a semi-aquatic setup using great stuff and a few other bits and pieces i have found on this site.

Great Stuff really is great stuff. I've used it a lot to make land features, water features, and backgrounds. You can cover it with Silicone II and then Stick Coconut coir, moss, sand, rocks driftwood, whatever to it and in it.
Just be careful to leave a bit of space between the tank walls when you lay out the stuff. It expands in ALL directions even if it can easily expand a few. My first attempt at a 10 gallon background expanded out into the tank but also from side top side and popped the seams on the tank!

 

[caudatadude28]

I use dish soap first. Then I rinse it and use vinegar. Then I rinse it again, very thoroughly.

 

[iMash]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think ill give it a good scrub with soap and water and see if i can clean the glass up a bit. Hopefully that will make some of the scratches less noticeable. Then just to be on the safe side ill give it a wash with some bleach. When people say bleach do you mean normal household bleach, like domestos?

Great Stuff really is great stuff. I've used it a lot to make land features, water features, and backgrounds. You can cover it with Silicone II and then Stick Coconut coir, moss, sand, rocks driftwood, whatever to it and in it.
Just be careful to leave a bit of space between the tank walls when you lay out the stuff. It expands in ALL directions even if it can easily expand a few. My first attempt at a 10 gallon background expanded out into the tank but also from side top side and popped the seams on the tank!

Thats a good point. Knowing me I'd have probably not thought about that. Thanks for mentioning it . I'm assuming i can build it in several layers and not try to do it all in one go?

 

[Shizeric]

When people say bleach do you mean normal household bleach, like domestos?

If domestos is just some brand, then yes, normal household bleach is what they are referring to.

 

[Shizeric]

Ghost....bleach is not made from sea water....
Bleach: How Products are Made

The raw materials for making household bleach are chlorine, caustic soda, and water. The chlorine and caustic soda are produced by putting direct current electricity through a sodium chloride salt solution in a process called electrolysis. Sodium chloride, common table salt, comes from either mines or underground wells. The salt is dissolved in hot water to form a salt solution, which is then treated for impurities before it is reacted in the electrolytic cell.

The chlorine will not completely evaporate out and must be rinsed very thorougly.

 

[JeffX]

using a bleach/water solution is way safer than soap..bleach is made from sea water and it will evaporate with the water..soap can leave a residue

Bleach doesn't evaporate. You need to thoroughly rinse out anything with bleach in it.

 

[evut]

I think there are different types of bleach (products) - some have more chemicals added to them to make them thick or something and those are more dangerous to use. I'd say you want the most basic bleach if there is choice.
I read this somewhere...correct me if I'm wrong.