A friend of mine has a 55-gallon tank, complete with stand and everything... that she doesn't really want. It was a gift from her dad, and she already has two cats and plans for a dog, so really doesn't have time for fishies. It's just sitting all empty in her apartment and has been there forever.

So...

When the tank was in use, it was a saltwater tank. It's been cleaned at some point, but has been sitting around collecting dust for about 2 years.

If I do get this tank, what should I do to clean it and make it safe for freshwater fish?

FTB

I would give the tank a really good rinse, then use a mild chlorine solution (9 parts water, 1 part household bleach), let that sit for a few hours, and then rinse, rinse, rinse! As long as you still smell bleach in the tank, it needs more rinsing.
After that, fill it all the way up (good time to check for leaks as well), and have a double or triple does of dechlorinator handy to neutralize any tiny leftovers of the bleach solution. Scrape off any salt residue from its saltwater days from the glass with a razorblade (don't come too close to the tank's sealant), and you should be good to go.

Thanks!

I probably won't get that tank until I move again. The apartment complex I'm in at the moment is totally ghetto, and hopefully by the time my lease is up in January, I'll have enough money to move someplace better. :-)

FTB

Hi there..I was also told that u can use vinegar to clean too, but since it was a saltwater tank maybe that woulden't work?......Good luck with the tank though what do u plan on putting in it? Sorry to hear your place is "ghetto" I have been there too!!!
What does your name mean btw? I was trying to figure it out....

LOL... I used to live in some pretty ghetto apartments about two years ago. it was horrible! I hope you can find somewhere better when your lease is up.

Depends where I move. If I have room, I may keep the 20-gallon up and running with the 2 goldies that are in there... and then stock the 55-gallon with 4-5 more. I'm pretty partial to the orandas... but who knows... Also planning on having some nice stuff for decor... no live plants, tho... I have a black thumb. Hehhee...




Well, the "Bard" part has three explanations, all three apply:

#1 - Shakespeare was known as "The Bard," and I've always been a fan of his writing, especially the sonnets.

#2 - I used to be addicted to an online role-playing game (RPG) called EverQuest. My character was a bard - a special kind of class that used magical songs to heal and strengthen themselves and to kill their enemies.

#3 - The original "bard" of yore was a man (most often) who traveled from town to town and performed music to entertain both poor and rich alike. Their songs were ballads about the lives of heros or kings, or satire about the current political situations, or songs of unrequited love. They spread the word and entertained people with their music.

All three "bards" are in my heart and affect how I live my life and perceive my world... thus, I am...

FTB

I was talking with my friend about the tank today, and she mentioned that when she got it from her father a year ago, she scrubbed it really hard ... with Dawn. EEK!

If I bleach it out and rinse it like crazy, what are the chances of there still being soap residue in the tank after over a year?

It's a glass tank, btw, if that matters.

FTB