Cleaning Used Equipment and Tank

[Misbar]

Hello,

I got a used 60 gallon acrylic tank setup and would like to know how you would sterilize everything.

Right now I have the pumps and skimmer soaking in tap water because they are clogged up with crusted salt. After rinsing and scrubbing them do I need to do anything else?

Will using vinegar and a plastic scraper be good enough for cleaning the acrylic tank? This is what I have done with glass tanks.

Thank you,

Misbar

 

[Crabs McJones]

Vinegar and bleach and then a really really good rinse. Acrylic scratches easy so be very careful.

 

[gentlefish]

Vinegar OR bleach....

 

[Crabs McJones]

Vinegar OR bleach....

Sorry should have clarified. Yes, do NOT use both together.

 

[Misbar]

Vinegar OR bleach....

Sorry should have clarified. Yes, do NOT use both together.

Thanks guys.

I have both so I will just use whichever I have more of.

I will be extra careful when I'm scraping.

 

[Super Fly]

Vinegar and bleach are used for different purposes.
When I get used gear, I always give them a bleach bath to kill any undesirable bacteria. Then if necessary I give them a vinegar bath to help remove tough coraline algae, calcification etc. However these days folks are switching to muratic acid instead of vinegar due to corrosive vinegar possibly damaging protective rubber parts of equipment.

 

[PatW]

The tap water alone will come pretty close to doing the job. Marine invertebrates are isoosmotic with sea water. So immersion in fresh water will kill nearly all of them. The vinegar will get rid of calcium carbonate. The bleach will oxidize and eliminate nearly every bacterium. You don’t really have to sterilize things, just get them reasonably clean.

 

[jorlad]

What concentration of bleach or vinegar do you guys use?