I set up a used 29 gallon tank last Thursday night. I cleaned (and rinsed) out the tank with vinegar, filled the tank with freshly treated tap water and started running the used HOB filter (Aqua Tech 20-40), which I made sure to keep wet during the transport, etc. I have since bought a new Emperor 400 HOB filter, which I will set up as the primary filter for the tank. The previous owner of the tank had a ton of fancy guppies in it, if that makes a difference.
My question is, how long should it take the tank to cycle using the old filter? I purposely didn't clean it or let it dry out. Should the water be pretty much instantly safe for my goldfish? I plan on running the new Emperor concurrently with the old filter to get things going.
Any help is appreciated.
Full Version: Relocating A Used Tank
Considering the old filter is already seeded, your tank should already have the beneficial bacteria needed.
If you haven't already put your new emperor 400 on your tank though, I would caution against using the previous seeded filter.
Do you know why the former owner of the tank decided to sell? If there were any diseases or parasites in his/her tank?
On one hand, it is convenient to have an already seeded filter, but on the other hand it also comes with whatever parasites or diseases that may or may not have been in the tank before. So cleaning out the tank was only half of the process.
I've never bought a used tank before, so again, this is just what I think. Perhaps someone who has done this before will have additional suggestions or be able to give you better advice.
Welcome to koko's though!!!
Glad to have you here and hope you enjoy and learn lots from this forum!
If you haven't already put your new emperor 400 on your tank though, I would caution against using the previous seeded filter.
Do you know why the former owner of the tank decided to sell? If there were any diseases or parasites in his/her tank?
On one hand, it is convenient to have an already seeded filter, but on the other hand it also comes with whatever parasites or diseases that may or may not have been in the tank before. So cleaning out the tank was only half of the process.
I've never bought a used tank before, so again, this is just what I think. Perhaps someone who has done this before will have additional suggestions or be able to give you better advice.
Welcome to koko's though!!!
Glad to have you here and hope you enjoy and learn lots from this forum!
Hmm, I always wash my used tanks with a bleach solution. Like Tink said, you never know the tank's history. I certainly do NOT want to introduce nasties into a new tank!
The solution I use is 1:19: 1 part bleach to 19 parts water. I'm pretty sure you can also use Potassium Permanganate for this purpose, but I can never find it, so I can't tell you how to use it.
The solution I use is 1:19: 1 part bleach to 19 parts water. I'm pretty sure you can also use Potassium Permanganate for this purpose, but I can never find it, so I can't tell you how to use it.
The above posters have covered this well. I just wanted to poke my nose in here.
It has been found that a solution of 1:10 or the weaker 1:12 parts bleach:water is needed to kill all that would be typically found in a used tank or equipement. This solution needs to remain wet, in contact with the surfuce you are attempting to disinfect, for at least 10 full minutes. Just wiping it is not sufficiant. 1:19 bleach:water is not sufficiant.
It has been found that a solution of 1:10 or the weaker 1:12 parts bleach:water is needed to kill all that would be typically found in a used tank or equipement. This solution needs to remain wet, in contact with the surfuce you are attempting to disinfect, for at least 10 full minutes. Just wiping it is not sufficiant. 1:19 bleach:water is not sufficiant.
Oh, really? I always thought the standard was 1:19.
Hmm.... I'm gonna need more bleach now.
Hmm.... I'm gonna need more bleach now.
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