Cleaning a used tank

planereefer · Dec 26, 2012

So I picked up a 50G cube with stand, sump and 250W MH light. Everything works, just a needs a good cleaning to get all the salt residue and stuff off the tank and the sump. The tank is glass and the sump is acrylic. Is it best to use vinegar and rinse with tap water?

Bleach was suggested but I think it might deteriorate the silicone.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?

lane:

palvyre · Dec 26, 2012

I have cleaned multiple tanks and always used vinegar. I just let it soak for a week or so and then rinse it out. After that I use a razor blade to get any stubborn build up out.

SeahorseKeeper · Dec 26, 2012

Vinegar should work fine. I have used the bleach method with no issues. When I used bleach, I used a dechlorinator after I soaked it in bleach. If there is still a bleach smell, the tank is not ready for use. With either method, I have had to do some manual scraping with a razor blade.

planereefer · Dec 29, 2012

Thanks everyone, I never really realized that vinegar can be used as a cleaner, but boy am I amazed on how well it was able to remove the calcium and salt buildup.

Breva1100 · May 21, 2016

So this is a really old post, but I will ask. Has anyone ever used Salt Away to remove salt residue and build-up? It is 100% biodegradable, 100% non-toxic and 100% non-hazardous.

reefcleaners · May 22, 2016

Breva1100 said:
So this is a really old post, but I will ask. Has anyone ever used Salt Away to remove salt residue and build-up? It is 100% biodegradable, 100% non-toxic and 100% non-hazardous.

No, but I have used muriatic acid. Then we neutralized the acid and flushed the tank. I cleaned about 400 tanks that were sitting out on a fish farm that was being brought back into operation... Oh the good old days. Think I still have a part of my lung somewhere on that farm.

Vinegar is probably better for home use.