New/Used Aquarium Purchase

[Dono1990]

Quick question I just want too ask.

I just bought a used saltwater fishtank. 45(gallon) came with 2 powerbeads and lighting system. I am in the process of cleaning the tank. So far i have done one 48 hr filtration cycle of white vinegar with power heads running.

I've been looking at lots of videos and read some articles on the internet about using a bleach too sterilize the aquarium. Some say it is safe too do so some say it isn't.

Instead of doing a bleach cycle I've decided todo a second white vinegar cycle for 48hrs.

Will that be enough too sterilize/clean aquarium?
Should i do something else cleaning wise?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Brew12]

Quick question I just want too ask.

I just bought a used saltwater fishtank. 45(gallon) came with 2 powerbeads and lighting system. I am in the process of cleaning the tank. So far i have done one 48 hr filtration cycle of white vinegar with power heads running.

I've been looking at lots of videos and read some articles on the internet about using a bleach too sterilize the aquarium. Some say it is safe too do so some say it isn't.

Instead of doing a bleach cycle I've decided todo a second white vinegar cycle for 48hrs.

Will that be enough too sterilize/clean aquarium?
Should i do something else cleaning wise?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

The vinegar will work well for what you are doing. Bleach is safe to use for sterilization as long as you give it time to decompose, but what you are doing is just fine.

 

[beaslbob]

I think you're doing fine.

Just be sure to fill and rinse a couple of times to remove the stuff.

FWIW I hope you start the tank with chaeto or other macro algae right from the start. Even if you just do an in tank refugium with a partition.

But that's just me and my .02

 

[Greybeard]

The fact that you are trying to do _something_ to clean the used tank, and willing to ask for help early in the process, bodes well for your long term success

Many times, we get new folks that bought a used tank, set it up as directed by the idiot at the big chain fish store, added a dozen fish, usually inappropriate for the tank size, and then show up screaming that their fish are dying, and they need help.

Vinegar is fine. If you were to use bleach, I'd note that unadulterated chlorine bleach is getting hard to find, bleach with detergents and other additives are _not_ appropriate for aquarium cleaning.

If I were starting out today, I'd seriously research the various 'modern' methods. Triton, Red Sea, Zeo-vit, Aquaforest, Fauna Marin... Not everybody uses these 'systems', but for new reefers, they offer a plan that stands an excellent chance of success if implemented as they suggest.

I'd probably also watch all 52 weeks of BRS's 160 build videos. There's a _ton_ of useful information there, well presented.

Welcome aboard!

 

[flsalty]

While I prefer bleach, the vinegar will work just fine.