lish839

Hi everyone! This is such an awesome helpful site, Im so happy I found it. So, I bought a used 55 gallon tank with filter/heater/lights/gravel. I have been reading about the cycle I have to do and found a few posts that said using borrowed gravel or filters was really helpful in cultivating the good bacteria you need. However, the guy I bought it from had it in storage for about 2 years. Should I clean everything? Or is there helpful bacteria still on it? (its probably dead, but would not cleaning it be harmful or helpful?)
Thanks!!!

Ryno

Do you know where it was stored? You have to wonder if anything toxic may have gotten into the tank if you do not. I would clean everything to be on the safe side.

Lucy

Hi Welcome to Fish Lore

There wouldn't be any beneficial bacteria left alive in the gravel.

Borrowing used gravel for cycling means borrowing it from a healthy established tank. That would be great if you know someone with one.

I agree with Ryno.
I would clean the everything thoroughly. You don't know if it was exposed to pesticides or whatever.
I bought a used 30g that came with gravel, I'm not using the gravel just for that reason (not knowing what it was exposed to)

Good luck.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

The bacteria on that gravel died pretty soon after it dried, so cleaning would be good.

peacemaker92

Yeah! Clean it before you use it! You can use a pasta strainer to clean it. Pour the gravel into the strainer and rinse it for more than 30 mins i think, or longer...? Hmm?

tzqng8

Just getting in my . Clean it all well with water. Some people say there is a way to clean with bleach, but I can't remember the formula (1 part bleach, 19 parts water?). Just water and good scrubbing should be good though.