kmarie

I purchased a 55-gallon tank from someone. Is there anything special I should do to clean it (bleach, special cleaner, etc.)?

Also, how long after I add Bio-Spira can I put fish in the tank?

Wyvern10

Never, Never, Never clean a tank with anything but pure tap water. No matter how well you rinse there could be chemicals left.

My understanding with Bio-Spira is that is works best if you add fish shortly after adding the Bio-Spira. Within a few hours I believe.

kmarie

Should I use a rag or sponge or anything? By no cleaner, do you mean no soap of any kind, even mild soap? Sorry for the questions, I just never had to do this before so I want to be sure I don't screw this up. Thanks.

chickadee

You can and should use a weak bleach solution (household chlorine bleach) in the following proportions. Use 1 cup of bleach and 19 cups of water (tap water not dechlorinated as the bleach has chlorine in it and the dechlorinating agent will nullify the bleach)

Let the water sit in the tank when you have wiped it down on the inside for about 30 minutes and then rinse, rinse, rinse. When you have finished rinsing let it sit overnight and add a couple gallons of dechlorinated water with twice the amount of dechlorinating agent in it and rinse the interior again. Empty that water and let it sit overnight again. When you can not smell the bleach it is safe to use and just maybe put a tad bit more dechlorinator in the first water you put in the tank. Let the tank run for 24 hours after putting the water in and if you have a Master test kit, run a test for chlorine. If you are clear then add the Bio-spira and then you can add your fish anytime. I put the Bio-spira in and add the fish. Takes longer to type than to do. Just remember to SHAKE the Bio-spira before you open it and then dump the whole packet in the tank right away otherwise you leave the bacteria in the bottom in the packet. I forgot the first time I used it and had to open the packet up all the way and rinse it in the tank. DUH!! :

Welcome to Fishlore.com and I do hope I have helped some.

Rose