HagenKB

Testing and sanitizing a used aquarium

How do I sanitize a used tank and how to check it for structural soundness?

How do I sanitize a used tank and how to check it for structural soundness?
There are two basic issues here, how to ensure that an aquarium will hold water and then ensure that there will be no disease transmission to new inhabitants.

The first is the trickiest, because transportation and handling can cause a problem with any tank, new or used. It is always recommended to place an aquarium in a bathtub or level stand/surface and fill the tank and let rest for a couple of hours to see if there is any leakage. Once filled, it is best to mark the water level and check to ensure there has been no invisible loss during the test period. It also means the test period should be long enough to allow any leaks to surface. To ensure an accurate reading, fill the tank carefully so that all water is inside the tank and none splashes outside. You might wantt o place the tank on a towel or other material that will show any dampness should a leak occur.

Besides that, always carefully inspect the glass on all sides to ensure it is unblemished and structurally soul with no cracks or imperfections in the glass.

Once the aquarium passes inspection, it is time to clean the unit and sterilize it. The good news is that in most cases a parasite or other disease pathogen will be not be able to survive being totally dried out, they require water for their life cycles, so most of your work is done. To finish the job, you must remember that soaps and detergents will kill fish, so if you use them, you had better be very careful in removing them from the tank before fish arrive. I tend to make sure they never, ever come into contact with an aquarium in the first place. As such, I will use "safe" compounds that I know will rinse away. The first is aquarium salt to sterilize the tank. Use a relatively strong salt solution - up to 1/2 and 1/2 to wipe down the insides. Salt may not kill everything, but that and some elbow grease will dislodge and wash away most pathogens and cysts that might cause later problems. If the aquarium is soiled with carbonate (white scaling) buildup, I will use a fairly concentrated vinegar and water solution to help dissolve the calcareous build-ups in the tank. Chlorine is used by water departments to kill bacteria in the water supply and make it safe to drink, you can use chlorine bleach and water to do the same for the aquarium as well. But, no matter which of these solutions fits your needs, always be very liberal is washing away any residue that might be left. Make sure that no foam or bubbles are created and stay when the tank is finally refilled, Vinegar will play havoc with the pH is some cases, salt will change the hardness, but is the least dangerous as it is used in many cases as a prophylactic treatment for some fishes to help protect against disease. The biggest problem is the chlorine bleach, so if in doubt, use a liberal amount of Aqua-Plus or other chlorine remover to ensure any traces are neutralized.

Back To Results