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need help with disinfecting a used acrylic tank

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by matrixmommy, Feb 18, 2009.

  1. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    New Used Tank (Need Cleaning Advice)

    I just got a killer deal on an awesome tank! It's a 25-30 gallon Eclipse tank (unsure of the size) and I got it at the Goodwill for $20!! It works and has gravel and three or four nice plastic plants (which will do for now, but it's gonna get planted like the Hex5 will be). It's pretty dirty, so it'll take a lot of elbow grease to clean it. Should I use bleach or distilled vinegar? I've heard of using both, but want to know what ya'll think. Also, I am planning on getting about four or five female bettas to stock the tank with (already have one) and would like to add a few other good community fish. I have heard that mollies are okay with female bettas. Any thoughts on if they're good or what might be better? I don't have pics of the tank yet 'cuz I don't have a camera, but I'll put them up as soon as I can borrow my dad's camera. TIA!

    Oh, almost forgot! Can I get the manual for the tank online?
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 18, 2009
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  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I'd clean it by doing a 10% Bleach Soak (Regular Unscented Clorox Bleach).
    1)To do a Bleach Soak you'll want to do 10% or 9cups of water to 1cup of Bleach and soak the tank for no more than 15 minutes.
    2)Next Rinse the entire tank out and re-fill it with water only...be sure to heavily dose it with a dechlorinator such as Prime Or Tetra Aquasafe and allow it to sit for about an hour.
    3)Empty it out again and allow it to completely air dry...Once completely air dried your good to go!
    *You can also use the soak on plastic plants and pretty much any non-porous item*
    -> This bleach method of "Cleaning" is NOT recommended on porous items such as driftwood/mesh filter cartridges/etc.

    IF by some chance theirs anything left that you want to remove, I'd recommend getting a plastic blade (usually can find them in the aquarium dept. of your local pet store or online).

    As for the manual, why would you need it?
    But here is a good site showing the tank and providing information about it. Plus it will help assess which model you actually have.
    http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...=AA&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=23-23784105-2
     
    MOD_Dawn, Feb 18, 2009
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  3. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    Thanks! I'm pretty sure that it's a 29 gallon, after comparing it's dimensions to a 26 gallon at Petco today and it's the same width and height, just taller. I can't wait to set it up!! Any thoughts about tank mates for the female bettas (I already have one female...I got her yesterday too 'cuz my copper veiltail, Edward, died and I didn't like any of the males at Petsmart or Petco)? I guess I don't need the manual, since my Hex5 has the same filtration system.
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 18, 2009
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  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    not sure, I had a few females before and they were nippy and nasty towards each other. Mine killed neon tetras so I can tell you No neons from personal experience.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Feb 19, 2009
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  5. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    Most of the people I've talked to that have kept females in a community tank have said that they will establish a good pecking order as long as you have at least three (which I'm planning on at least four or five). They've also said that mollies are perfect tank companions since they kind of mind their own business. My son (who's tank it is...kinda) likes the mollies, so I guess we'll just stick with them. Thanks!
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 21, 2009
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  6. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Id skip the bleach and just use hot water, I seem like the only one, but I would never want to use something in my tank that could be potentially deadly to my fish.
     
    Anonymous, Feb 21, 2009
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  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    It's completely safe, you just have to rinse it and soak it in dechlorinator and allow it to air dry. I've been using Reg. Clorox Bleach for years with no issues (other than the plant nightmare, but that wasn't me)...I can understand the fear in using it though.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Feb 21, 2009
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  8. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    A dechlorinator? Such as what (any specific brands or such)?
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 21, 2009
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  9. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Seachem Prime is what most of us use/recommend.
     
    Anthony, Feb 21, 2009
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  10. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    MOD_Dawn, Feb 21, 2009
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  11. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Is that Purigen safe ?
     
    Anthony, Feb 21, 2009
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  12. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Yes, It should be. It promotes Slime coat and doesn't grow it per a convo we had about it a while back.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Feb 21, 2009
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  13. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    I can get that at a local petstore? (Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'd rather not waste the gas driving the 15 miles to the closest petstore only to find out they don't carry it...KWIM?)
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 21, 2009
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  14. matrixmommy

    matrixmommy Thread Starter New Member

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    Ah! Aquasafe I have! LOL! Sorry, I have dial-up and it does screwy thing with the pages when they load, so half the time I don't see the second page of discussion. :p Sorry very much! (That and I'm working on a history paper, so I'm a wee-bit distracted).
     
    matrixmommy, Feb 21, 2009
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  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:54 am
    No problem, Prime can be a bit tougher to find (Usually Petsmart and they want double the cost that you can score it for online--and normally get free shipping with also).
    Tetra AquaSafe can be found at just about any pet store, Including Wal-mart.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Dec 11, 2009
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