getting tank ready for re-use.

[Sinnbox]

I just had to end the life of my piranha due to white fungus taking over his body(I was out of town). I am cleaning the tank and am wondering if i should use anything besides hot water to clean it? I am going to set it up for tropicals and have already purchased a HOB filter and put my undergravel to rest. I amgoing to pick up a new water test kit tomorrow or monday.

Questions:
Should i clean tank with more than just water?
Should i let the tank sit empty for a few weeks?

I am planning to do a live cycle with afew goldfish that my family has.

[shockshockshad]

use a 1:9 ratio of bleach and water. Scrub it good, and then RINSE RINSE RINSE. That should be good.

[Sinnbox]

Thanks, I Just put the bleach in, I will let it rince in a bit.

[Colin]

use a 1:9 ratio of bleach and water. Scrub it good, and then RINSE RINSE RINSE. That should be good.

Totally agree with the above.

Some say vinegar, I say bleach. Both will work. Bleach will get rid of any melingering disease.

If you can let the tank dry in the sun. The sunlight breaks down the bleach and helps it evaporate off, so I am led to beleave.

[angelcakes]

i'll have to remember that..........:19:

[NickFish]

Super scrub the tank after bleaching it, and scrub it again with just warm water the day after the first bleaching, then leave it in the sun or out in a brightly lit room.
If you want to be extra cautious you can fill your tank with water and then take a sample of the water to your lfs, and they can test if you still have any bleach residue.

It is not a good idea to cycle with goldfish. You shouldn't cycle a tropical tank with coldwater fish, and also, goldfish aren't as hardy as many people believe. Zebra danios would be much better but if you do go with goldfish, try to put and established filter or gravel from another tank in, add bioSpira or seachem's stability and keep up with your water changes (not touching the gravel or decor of course).

[RainMan]

Man.... are you into killing fish? Do a fishless cycle... slow down and get the basics down first: Fishless Cycle (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=2678) Sorry... i'm just a little worried here.

Take a month and make sure the tank is the best environment for the fish you are going to have and keep. That also gives you some more time to figure out what you're going to put in there.

[lacnibor]

I love how some people just come in with gloves on when some poor soul just asks a very appropriate question. Sorry, I just have no tolerance for intolerant people. The poor dude or dudette is just asking for advice.


I just had to end the life of my piranha due to white fungus taking over his body(I was out of town). I am cleaning the tank and am wondering if i should use anything besides hot water to clean it? I am going to set it up for tropicals and have already purchased a HOB filter and put my undergravel to rest. I amgoing to pick up a new water test kit tomorrow or monday.

Questions:
Should i clean tank with more than just water?
Should i let the tank sit empty for a few weeks?

I am planning to do a live cycle with afew goldfish that my family has.

[RainMan]

I love how some people just come in with gloves on when some poor soul just asks a very appropriate question. Sorry, I just have no tolerance for intolerant people. The poor dude or dudette is just asking for advice.

I imagine you are talking about me... and you are right. Sometimes I can be a real PITA and have a very strong opinion. But, I also am man enough to admit when I was wrong. And I am sorry for my above post.

And I appreciate being called on it.... sometimes I don't even realize. Thanks

[xoolooxunny]

just keep rinsing with hot water until you cant smell bleach anymore, and use extra (1.5x) stress coat on the first fill up.

[siymdapolio]

Man.... are you into killing fish? Do a fishless cycle... slow down and get the basics down first: Fishless Cycle (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=2678) Sorry... i'm just a little worried here.

Take a month and make sure the tank is the best environment for the fish you are going to have and keep. That also gives you some more time to figure out what you're going to put in there.
I havent killed anyfish yet with my FISH cycle, I have 5 gold white cloud mountain minnows, 1 angelfish, 1 bristlenose and they are all so Happy. Just go get some hardy cycling fish like the mountain minnows this wlill be happy with even temperatures up to 80F but that tells them its spring and ready for spawning.

Dont worry about killing your fish get something hardy but not goldfish. LFS can recommend these type of fish and keep up with water changes.

I am 3 1/2 weeks along with my fish cycle and No casualties and nobody looks stressed.

Or you can fishless cycle then add fish ...

[Sasquatch]

For the cleaning, the bleach thing works well. If you want to be extra sure, or can't take your tank outside, rinse your tank a few times and then run your filter with carbon in it for a few days, that'll take care of any bleach residues.

As for the cycling thing, I've done both and I just don't see the point of fish cycling anymore. You pickup fish you may not want in your tank because they are hardy, you risk injuring or even killing them, you give yourself a lot of trouble with daily water changes and it takes longer. And once it's done, you go through a mini-cycle every time you add more fish, which you're forced to do in steps because the bacteria can't handle the bioload.

The only downside of fishless cycling is finding the ammonia. Once that's done, you're golden. Test daily to track the progress and you can pretty much add all your fish at once.

[RainMan]

The op has already started his cycle with goldfish: White fungus on Piranah. (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?p=216368#post216368)