cleaning a fresh water used tank need advice

[nightmarepl]

hey guys, my cousin cracked his 13.5 evo tank and decided to toss it the crack was a tiny one in the corner so i just used alot of silicone and its holding water just fine ill be turning it into my hospital tank soon but he kept fresh water fish in there once i tossed everything out the tank itself and the sponges smell like a swamp haha was wondering whats the best way to clean this so i can get this process going. my general idea was get a gallon of vinegar and fill rest with water run the pump to clear it nicely then run some fresh water 2 times through it to get the vinegar smell out would this work?

 

[diana a]

Vinegar or bleach will disinfect it. But do not mix the two together because it will cause a lethal gas. Rinsing will get the vinegar out

 

[nightmarepl]

Vinegar or bleach will disinfect it. But do not mix the two together because it will cause a lethal gas. Rinsing will get the vinegar out

sounds good! ill go buy some vinegar today any special way to do like 50/50? or just brush and plain vinegar

 

[Mark_C]

Don't even need 50/50. 10% vinegar to water is more than plenty. Just let it sit for a day or two.
I'm cleaning a 40 filled with coraline now, but I only had about 2 cups of vinegar. Filled with 40g of water, dropped the 2 cups vinegar in, and 48 hours later the majority of coraline is gone. I'll empty the water and wipe it out tomorrow. Normally Id pour in a full container of vinegar and empty the next morning, but vinegar is rare these days, what with all the zombies and such.

 

[nightmarepl]

Don't even need 50/50. 10% vinegar to water is more than plenty. Just let it sit for a day or two.
I'm cleaning a 40 filled with coraline now, but I only had about 2 cups of vinegar. Filled with 40g of water, dropped the 2 cups vinegar in, and 48 hours later the majority of coraline is gone. I'll empty the water and wipe it out tomorrow. Normally Id pour in a full container of vinegar and empty the next morning, but vinegar is rare these days, what with all the zombies and such.

this actually made me LoL yah ima get some vinegar today wash this tank up nicely start cycling it i have alot of dry rock i dont use at all think a QT should have rock or nah its going to be a long term thing

 

[ecam]

No rock in qt. It will mess up with your medicine because of absorption. PVC pieces is the norm

 

[nightmarepl]

No rock in qt. It will mess up with your medicine because of absorption. PVC pieces is the norm

yah i figured how you guys been the nutrients in check to prevent ammonia spikes and such

 

[ecam]

https://www.chewy.com/fluval-biomax...UTi0ISJ-KtsL1WP4c3VB_LWF7Kud0aXMaAgWLEALw_wcB

I keep these bio media on the floor of my sump. Whenever I need to setup a qt. I grab a handful and throw them into my hang on the back filter and let it run for 24 hours with some biospira. Instant cycle

 

[ecam]

Don’t put the media back in the tank. Throw it out when done with qt

 

[nightmarepl]

Don’t put the media back in the tank. Throw it out when done with qt

thats some good advice right there could you use those during a full QT? lets say a full copper dose then toss em?

 

[ecam]

Yes. They are perfect for that. It will absorb some medicine and nasties but not as much as live rock. That is why You don’t want to put them back in the tank.

 

[nightmarepl]

Yes. They are perfect for that. It will absorb some medicine and nasties but not as much as live rock. That is why You don’t want to put them back in the tank.

cool idea ima do that this week probably have them cycle nicely in my DT

 

[Sponge]

Not that it’s any better then the balls. But personally I use a sponge filter bubbler. I like that it helps take waste out of the water adds a little circulation and since it only cost 8 bucks. I throw it away.

 

[Sponge]

And to be clear qt. Not hospital