Advice On Cleaning A Tank

[Jason Rhoads]

So, I was taking my trash out last week and I noticed some glass sitting near the dumpster. As I got closer I instantly realized I was staring at a 20 long and a 10g! I am sure not many people get as excited as we reefers do when we find free aquariums, but needless to say I was happier with this find than I would have been if there was a $100 bill sitting there.

 

I filled both tanks with water and gave them a good scrubbing and NO LEAKS! The problem is that they must have been used for reptiles or something because the 10g has a distinct animal poop smell that I have been unable to get rid of. I tried bleach and water overnight and, while it looks clean, the smell is still present. The 20g cleaned up well and is as good as a new tank.

 

I really want to use the 10g as a QT for new corals and fish, but I don’t want to take the chance that there are some nasty organics still present which are causing the smell and may affect the livestock put in for QT. Does anyone have any advice (other than bleach and water) for cleaning what seems to have been a reptile tank?

 

Thanks!

[zygote2k]

bleach and water is fine.

[Steve175]

More bleach and less water

[steveoutlaw]

If you're that worried about it, wait until the petco $1 per gallon sale and get a new 10g. Better than risking it.......plus, you never know what was used in those tanks.

[matt]

^ +1 on not knowing what was in there. Hate to QT coral in something exposed to the wrong stuff

[Origami]

+1 to more bleach and more water. You can try an acid wash in between. Just make the sure tank is well rinsed between each treatment.

[smallreef]

Make sure you are also scrubbing the trim...things get stuck and smashed inbetween .... may be the lasting cause of the smell....old toothbrush use going there....

[davelin315]

Make sure you are also scrubbing the trim...things get stuck and smashed inbetween .... may be the lasting cause of the smell....old toothbrush use going there....

I agree. I would stick the whole 10 gallon in the 20 gallon and then do an acid soak for the 10. Maybe even just invert the 10 gallon and add some water inside (stick a tube in there to vent it and allow it to fill as you fill the tank.