Cleaning out tanks

[ctbestfisherman]

I'm cleaning out a 20 and a 30 gallon tank tommorow and am wondering if you can offer any advice. First off the tanks are empty of water and contain gravel. The only problem is due to a fire all the fish died inside of the tanks and are still in there decomposing. How do I clean out the tanks properly, and will they be able to hold fish despite having had dead ones in them before?

 

[The Zigman]

I would clean them thoroughly with white vinegar.
Despite it being edible, white vinegar is actually a pretty effective antimicrobial cleaner. and its pretty effective at removing lime and scale.

You can use a number of things to clean a tank, provided all the residue has been cleaned away. I have used CLR, and the works to clean tanks, and hav had no issues. Of course I always rinse them very good in the shower, and usually the final wash is with vinegar, to remove any other cleaners tahe were used.

 

[fishorama]

Sorry you lost your fish, that sounds scary. I'd probably take out the gravel & rinse it really well. Since they didn't die from disease vinegar is probably good although I'm a dilute bleach user most of the time.

 

[Troycool]

I would clean them thoroughly with white vinegar.
Despite it being edible, white vinegar is actually a pretty effective antimicrobial cleaner. and its pretty effective at removing lime and scale.

You can use a number of things to clean a tank, provided all the residue has been cleaned away. I have used CLR, and the works to clean tanks, and hav had no issues. Of course I always rinse them very good in the shower, and usually the final wash is with vinegar, to remove any other cleaners tahe were used.

Yes, Vinegar will work like a charm. Clean the take vigorously.

 

[rainbowcharmer]

Yes, Vinegar will work like a charm. Clean the take vigorously.

:iagree:

I'm a big Vinegar fan. Cheap and it does an amazing job cleaning a variety of things, including fish tanks.

Just be sure to rinse well when you're done, and check the seals in the tank before setting them up again since I'm not sure what type of fire damage the silicone may have had - melting, etc.

Good luck!