iloveengl

Here's a deal I found on Craigslist (I'm going to look at it tomorrow):

"For sale is a 55 gallon fish tank with stand, lights, filter w/pump, tank decerations and cleaning equipment. If you buy it i can deliver it for you.
Asking 125.00"

QUESTIONS:

1. How do I clean the tank, equipment, & decor to make it safe to start cycling?
2. If I add substrate from my cycled 12g tank, how long (approx.) does it take to cycle such a large tank?

in advance! Can you tell that I'm excited?

gmen4life

whit vinegar ceans it and if it has been broke down for a bit i wouldnt worry about anything bad being on them

iloveengl

Thank you gmen! That was my biggest worry about used - that I might hurt fish by bringing them home to a used tank.

aquarist48

Ilove congrats on the new tank! Sounds like a good find. You can also use 1 part bleach to 20 parts water for cleaning and sterilizing. Make sure to rinse everything until you don't smell the bleach. Then you can fill the tank and add a double dose of chlorine remover let it set a few mintues, then start with fresh water just to be safe (also with chlorine removed of course. )

I can't say exactly how long it will take to cycle the tank using the substrate from an established tank but it won't take as long to cycle compared to if you didn't use it and started from scratch. Too, if you can spare any filter media that would help also. However, don't take away so much good bio matter from the established tank to throw it into a mini cycle. Keep an eye on your readings in both tanks.
Another tip...You could add the new filter media into the 12g tank for seeding prior to setting up the 55g. Leave it in there for at least 2 weeks. This will give you pretty much an instant cycle. (if you have room in the 12g that is)
Best of luck and keep us posted.
Ken

iloveengl

Great tips! Thanks Ken.

peacemaker92

I was gonna give some of my advice but Ken already beat me to it! haha Thanks Ken!

Good luck on the tank iloveengl! Hope to see progress pictures! haha