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Dan's 150 Rebuild

Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

Okay so the tank is empty of livestock now. Its still running. I need to clean it. I don't have the luxury of taking the tank off and bringing it outside and hosing it down unfortunately so how would you guys recommend I do this? Just get in there with a brillo pad and go to town? Siphon up as much as possible
 
jgraz

jgraz

First I would highly suggest against a Brillo pad. Steel wool and salt water don't exactly mix well. Plus you will never be sure to get all the shavings out and scratched glass and whatever soap is on it. Just not worth it.

If you plan on changing the sump and plumbing then why can't you bring the tank outside and give it a proper washing. You are gonna have to take the tank down anyway. Without a proper cleaning and rinsing your just setting the stage for problems down the line.
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

jgraz said:
First I would highly suggest against a Brillo pad. Steel wool and salt water don't exactly mix well. Plus you will never be sure to get all the shavings out and scratched glass and whatever soap is on it. Just not worth it.

If you plan on changing the sump and plumbing then why can't you bring the tank outside and give it a proper washing. You are gonna have to take the tank down anyway. Without a proper cleaning and rinsing your just setting the stage for problems down the line.
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Well I didn't mean an actually brillo pad, I just meant a scrubbing type pad Lol

And I am taking it down, but I'm in a apartment complex. I have no yard and no hose outside so its a lil difficult to do that :/
 
jgraz

jgraz

Ok ok ok just checking. People do some crazy stuff.

Anyway it's gonna be tough to rinse in place but I get it the situation clearly limits you. Get yourself a non abrasive pad or a some magic erasers and a few razor blades. If you can lay the tank down then do so. Lay down on its front and add vinegar to cover Let it sit a little bit then completely clean that panel. Then turn the tank to its side and repeat till all panels are clean. Then get into the overflows. The smell of vinegar can be a bit harsh but the smell of any decay left behind will be worse.
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

jgraz said:
Ok ok ok just checking. People do some crazy stuff.

Anyway it's gonna be tough to rinse in place but I get it the situation clearly limits you. Get yourself a non abrasive pad or a some magic erasers and a few razor blades. If you can lay the tank down then do so. Lay down on its front and add vinegar to cover Let it sit a little bit then completely clean that panel. Then turn the tank to its side and repeat till all panels are clean. Then get into the overflows. The smell of vinegar can be a bit harsh but the smell of any decay left behind will be worse.
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Yeah that may not work either. Can't leave a tank sitting on the ground with vinegar in there, I have cats Lol I'm probably just gonna have to scrub scrub scrub and siphon out as best as possible. I'm not worried about the coralline
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

Would if be wise to add more phosguard to my reactor to try and kill some of the hair algae? That with a combo of no lights and scrubbing should do the trick don't ya think?
 
jgraz

jgraz

Did you ever smell a fish tank that has been emptied and not fully cleaned. You are gonna care about the corraline algae real fast. That's gonna be sitting in your house. Lock the cats in a room and clean it up right
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

jgraz said:
Did you ever smell a fish tank that has been emptied and not fully cleaned. You are gonna care about the corraline algae real fast. That's gonna be sitting in your house. Lock the cats in a room and clean it up right
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I haven't actually Lol I guess I'll scrub it down as best as possible then get help to move it out back to dry out and let any of the remaining junk die off. Then do my best to rinse it out with buckets of water.
 
myrjon

myrjon

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
try and siphon , use buckets all water out and then use paper towels.. vinegar with razor blade .Stinks a bit but works well . I cleaned my tank with a sponge razor and vinegar. rinse with ro water & new sponge. dry with paper towels.
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

myrjon said:
try and siphon , use buckets all water out and then use paper towels.. vinegar with razor blade .Stinks a bit but works well . I cleaned my tank with a sponge razor and vinegar. rinse with ro water & new sponge. dry with paper towels.
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Sounds like a plan, I'm gonna take it outside tho so dry out. Gotta take it off anyways to redo the plumbing and mess with the stand
 
Sobo's Reef

Sobo's Reef

Scrubbed off more of the gunk in my tank today. Gonna start siphoning out over the next few days probably. While I was down in my sump area, I noticed my ATO wasn't working properly. The water level was low and the sensor was engaged. I tried moving the sensor thing up and down but it still wouldn't kick on, pulled the tubes off the aqua lifter to make sure it wasn't clogged and it was fine. Any ideas? Did it just crap out on me?

Oh and my heater also died as well so input on a reliable heater would be appreciated
 
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