Derek

I just started to set up a new (to me) tank. It has never been used, but has been sitting in a basement for about 4 yrs. I vacuumed it out, but it is duty inside and out. I was just going to fill it an let the filter clean the dust, but what about the outside, it acrlic. Should i fill it before i spend any money to ckeck for leaks, it looks fine no damage. If I do can I add the gravel after it is filled. Its a SesCraft Series II with bio-ball filter?? I also cannot tell if I need a pad type filter in the back> If I can figure out how to post a pic to explain my set up I will.

agabr123

whenever i get a new tank (even if it's brand new) i always fill it up very slowly outside with a bleach/water mixture so i can check for leaks and kill anything that might have been in there. i let it sit for two days and make sure nothing is leaking, then empty it out and bring it inside. make sure you rinse the tank very, very well until you can't smell the bleach anymore. with a tank that size, you'll want to put it on the stand, put in your gravel/decor/etc and then fill it very slowly to allow the floor time to settle and to check to make sure that the stand and tank are level. also, make sure you use LOTS of dechlorinator (at least 2 or 3 times the recommended dose) so that way you can be sure that any small amount of bleach that may have been left over is removed.

Alessa

Same happened to me with my 55, and I cleaned it with a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and water. A matter of choice.