Cleaning Aquarium

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 16, 2019

Bought a 220 new from somebody, sticker on and all. He said he kept it in his basement and some stuff mustve leaked into the aquarium. How should I clean this? Should I only use rodi water to clean it?

Flippers4pups · Feb 16, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Bought a 220 new from somebody, sticker on and all. He said he kept it in his basement and some stuff mustve leaked into the aquarium. How should I clean this? Should I only use rodi water to clean it?

Do you have any idea of what it was?

Most of the time, vinegar and water will clean most anything well.

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 16, 2019

Flippers4pups said:
Do you have any idea of what it was?

Most of the time, vinegar and water will clean most anything well.

Not a clue, is vinegar aquarium safe?

Flippers4pups · Feb 16, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Not a clue, is vinegar aquarium safe?

Absolutely. It's the most go to cleaner used in the hobby!

lapin · Feb 16, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Bought a 220 new from somebody, sticker on and all. He said he kept it in his basement and some stuff mustve leaked into the aquarium. How should I clean this? Should I only use rodi water to clean it?

+1 above
If the stuff that leaked pooled in the bottom I would soak it in vinegar solution for a while. I would then soak it in baking soda solution. Not knowing if its an acid or base I would neutralize for both. You can also use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning. As with all cleaners do not mix them. is

vetteguy53081 · Feb 17, 2019

You can start with filling the tank for both leak testing and see if after a couple of days the buildup loosens easily with an aquarium magnet or scraper.
If not, yes , add small amount of vinegar and hose out the tank well after cleaning before initial filling for set up

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 17, 2019

If I can clean with just a paper towel and tap water (or rodi?) Could I do that without having to hose out the tank?

vetteguy53081 · Feb 17, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
If I can clean with just a paper towel and tap water (or rodi?) Could I do that without having to hose out the tank?

yes but paper towel may leave lint. Any time spent with a hose is worth it and I would just flush impurities, etc away with hose

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

Flippers4pups said:
Absolutely. It's the most go to cleaner used in the hobby!

+1 White distilled vinegar is our best friend.

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

If you're going to do a water test you can fill with tap and add a couple of gallons of the vinegar and let it run a couple of days which will clean it big time.

When you drain, it will almost all wipe out easily.

Skynyrd Fish · Feb 17, 2019

I would fill it and leak test for a couple days. Make sure it’s level.

LBReefer · Feb 17, 2019

Captain Quint said:
If you're going to do a water test you can fill with tap and add a couple of gallons of the vinegar and let it run a couple of days which will clean it big time.

When you drain, it will almost all wipe out easily.

I did this and was extremely happy with the result. I'd recommend doing it outside if you are in a part of the country where that is possible. The smell can be a bit rough.

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 17, 2019

Captain Quint said:
If you're going to do a water test you can fill with tap and add a couple of gallons of the vinegar and let it run a couple of days which will clean it big time.

When you drain, it will almost all wipe out easily.

Fill the tank entirely? What ratio of vinegar to water?

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Fill the tank entirely? What ratio of vinegar to water?

When I set up my used 300g, I added several gallons (maybe 5g on the 300g and 75g sump), filled with tap and ran the tank for a few days, drained it and it was an easy clean up mainly wiping down with clean white towels. I ran the skimmer, PH's and it did nicely. I let it dry and it was good to go afterward.

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Bought a 220 new from somebody, sticker on and all. He said he kept it in his basement and some stuff mustve leaked into the aquarium. How should I clean this? Should I only use rodi water to clean it?

Ugh, just saw this...what do you suppose leaked? I would spot clean the leakage up first for sure.

EDIT: I hope is not a serious chemical of sorts...oil, radiator fluid, etcetera. Do you by chance have any idea on what it was?

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 17, 2019

Captain Quint said:
Ugh, just saw this...what do you suppose leaked? I would spot clean the leakage up first for sure.

EDIT: I hope is not a serious chemical of sorts...oil, radiator fluid, etcetera. Do you by chance have any idea on what it was?

I have no clue what it couldve been just a small stain at the bottom of the tank.

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 17, 2019

There's no pooling if that makes matters better.

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
There's no pooling if that makes matters better.

Curious. If it were mine I could understand maybe some wood stain from doing a stand perhaps? Is it encrusted so to speak, I try some denatured alcohol on it and a razor to see if it is removable. Wouldn't hurt.

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 17, 2019

Captain Quint said:
Curious. If it were mine I could understand maybe some wood stain fro doing a stand perhaps? Is it encrusted so to speak, I try some denatured alcohol on it and a razor to see if it is removable. Wouldn't hurt.

Okay, I used a wet paper towel on some of the stain, came right off. Good sign hopefully.

Captain Quint · Feb 17, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Okay, I used a wet paper towel on some of the stain, came right off. Good sign hopefully.

That is great news, my friend. Since we don't know what it is for certain, could you use a bit of either hydrogen peroxide or some alcohol to be safe, please?

I know...I err on the side of caution and it probably is not necessary.