Used stuff

I am almost ready to add water . I purchased a used 55 gallon system ( tank lights ,wet dry ,power heads ,skimmer ,DI water system) that had been out of service for a few months . My question is before I filler up with salt water and add rock should I do something to sterilize it to make sure there is no bad stuff left from previous owner ( diseases that may kill my new stuff ) Thanks for the help .

 

I used regular household bleach, then scrubbed it out with salt and rinsed with LOTS of clear water. that should kill pretty much anything left.

 

I would just fill her up its going to cycle anyway cleaning it too much will be a waste of your time. Fill it up add some rock and sand and away you go.

 

YES, YES, YES...!!!

Biggest risk is previous owner used as a FW tank and might have used a Cu (copper) treatment in it once upon a time.

Could leach from tank adhesive and ruin all chance of having a successful reef tank (will kill off all inverts)

Only takes a little bit to do so.

Rinse, Rinse, then fill with water, let sit for couple of days. Then test with a good copper test kit. Or take some of the water to LFS and have them check for you.

Good Luck!

"Om"

"Reef on"​

 

Right on omard....... agree totally....

 

Good advice Omard! Listen to him. you don't know what went on in the tank b4 you had it. Copper is BAD and will kill your inverts...quick too!

 

After you bleach, wash with vinegar, then rinse rinse rinse...

Then let it sit in the sunshine to dry out.

Would hate to hear, "guess I should have rinsed it better."

 

Why not do like you would when you wanna kill rock? Put a couple gallons of bleach in, then fill with water and let it set a day or two. Then dump it out and rinse it with freshwater real good and let it set a day or two with freshwater in it. Then put in about 2 lbs. baking soda and fill it with water and let it set a couple days. Then dry it out real good, letting it set a couple of days after YOU think it is completely dry, wash it down with vinegear and have after it. I've never heard of anyone doing this but if you wanted to be hardcore about it that would be a surefire way to completely cleanse it with no worries. just a thought?

good luck with everything!!!

 

Thanks guys

The guy I bought it from upgraded and moved his stuff into a bigger tank . It was used for a reef tank not fresh water . So I guess I will give it a bleaching and rinse like heck . Thanks