Cleaning used tank

Its an eheim professional 2228

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I'd probably just buy new tubing. It shouldn't cost too much. I know I can buy replacement tubing for my Fluval canisters for around $20. Who knows how long the old tubing was used and if they were ever flushed out, or what went inside. You don't want to introduce a parasite or something else into your tank.

 

None of my local pet stores stock eheim replacements however 1 store told me if I bring it all down thet might be able to replace it with aqua one tubes.. That would work wouldnt it??

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I was thinking if you went to like a pool supply store, they might carry the same kind of tubing. Or you could probably order on Amazon.

 

You don't have to get specific tubing for your filter type. Just get fish-safe vinyl tubing that's the correct size for your fittings.

 

Once I replace the tubes can I run the canister filter without the media in it?

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To test that it works properly? Yea I guess you could.

 

Yeah and to make sure no leaks etc

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Ive come to the conclusion the glass tops arnt gonna get any better.. However they are much better then when I got them so that's ok..

Next thing:
How do I go about getting the gunk out of the canister tubes?? I can't find bottle brushes that would fit or even go as long.. How can I clean it or should I just replace tubes if I can even get replacements?

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I got a nice tubing cleaner brush off of Amazon that's made for people to use to clean the tubes for their CPAP machines. Now I get a lot of suggestions from Amazon to buy various CPAP-related stuff, and I get some spam email advertising CPAP-related goodies, too.

BUT, the brush is pretty darned great for reaming out the tubing for canister filters.

Here's the one I got:

 

Ive decided to just use my current canister filter rated at 800L per hr which saves me having to get new tubing for eheim canister and also saves me having to transfer all my media across etc plus its only 3 months old and still under warranty.. I will sell on the eheim canister when I sell my 150L setup.. I have an internal filter rated at 1000L per hour I will use as a backup incase of emergencies.

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You can get tubing at a home improvement store if you decide to use the Eheim in the future. They sell it by the foot and it is at least half as much as buying brand specific tubing for a filter.

 

I got a 55 gallon tank used from my vet. Just finished wiping it down with water and paper towels. Definitely needs a good scrubbing. I know I can't use soaps or anything but I was wondering if there were any tank cleaners or something I could use to scrub this thing!

Also there were Velcro strips on the top and I took them off and they left some sticky stuff behind. How do I take that off?

Will be using this for a freshwater community tank.

 

Use a 50:50 vinegar/water mixture and some elbow grease.

 

Use a 50:50 vinegar/water mixture and some elbow grease.

So I can just go to grocery store and buy plain vinegar? Sweet!

 

Yep. Just plain white vinegar. Also, an old toothbrush works well for stubborn spots.

 

Yep. Just plain white vinegar. Also, an old toothbrush works well for stubborn spots.

Excellent! Close to needing a new one too! Hehe. Might have to get these things this weekend. (Stupid thunderstorms today and tomorrow)

 

Definitely vinegar worked great on mine got so much stuff off

 

Used white vinegar on mine as well. Plus a razor blade.

 

Amy0716..Awesome! I'm hoping it works on mine! Guessing some things are water stains it other things seem like someone stuck things on the glass.

hacksgirl..This is good that so many people are saying vinegar works! I can't wait to try it . Yeah I have to get those as well. Those Velcro strips left sticky stuff

 

Anything that looks like hard water stains or spots will magically disappear once you put water in it!

 

Anything that looks like hard water stains or spots will magically disappear once you put water in it!

Ain't that the truth! Heheh. I don't mind the spots of water so much. I want to get the residue stickys out. Plus I'm sure now are some from me wiping it down! Hehe

 

Hey yall, so I bought this 20gl from someone who was selling a stand and current led light. I was really only interested in the stand and light but he wouldn't separate so I got stuck with this really nasty looking tank and a heater that shorted that he said still works but I tossed it as I don't want any fires or electrocution going on. I guess that's why the tank looks like it does which is what he said? I've tried using vinegar and a rag but the grime is stuck on there good. Can I soak it in bleach and scrub it afterwards? Will that ruin the tank at all if I rinse it really well? Or should I just toss the whole tank? I don't have any need for it as of yet. I was buying the stand for a 29 gallon that I had yet to set up and just recently bought a 36bf with a stand that was on clearance at petsmart for a really good deal since it didn't have a lid or light. Thank you in advance!

 

Have you tried using a razor on it? You might be able to try bleach as long as you rinse it really, really well. I'd look up how to bleach it as I personally haven't done it if that's the course you chose.

 

Have you tried using a razor on it? You might be able to try bleach as long as you rinse it really, really well. I'd look up how to bleach it as I personally haven't done it if that's the course you chose.

I was thinking it'd be easier to use a razor after it soaked. I'll try one on it and see but it's pretty solid on there

 

Others will probably know better on what to do, but if you can't clean it then it might have to be tossed unfortunately. Glad you got the lights and stand though!

 

Others will probably know better on what to do, but if you can't clean it then it might have to be tossed unfortunately. Glad you got the lights and stand though!

Yeah I love the stand and the lights are great for my plants! The razor straight on it dry doesn't do much. I'll wait and see if anyone recommends bleach or vinegar. I think I'll try spraying bleach or vinegar on it and then scraping a razor on it if no one disagrees with it.

 

Vinegar and water with a new 3M type scrub pad that have no cleaning agents impregnated in it during manufacturing. Plain jane Mr. Clean Magic Eraser once again non scented and to cleaning agents added.

 

Doesn't mr.clean have chemicals in it? Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong type.

 

What if you combine baking soda with the vinegar?

 

Bleach and then rinse really well and then when think you can't smell bleach anymore rinse it more then overdose with prime. I've also used alchol to sanitize a used filter that I just recently picked up that was pretty gross.

 

Try hydrogen peroxide.

 

I use a combo of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar with some course salt as an abrasive to clean my, umm, water pipe (it's legal here). If it can remove that stubborn residue, I can't imagine much it wouldn't clean. Elbow grease will get you far.

 

I've used CLR on several different tanks to clean mineral deposits, works like a charm. Wipe it on with a sponge, let soak for 1-2 minutes then rinse thoroughly.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! And sorry it's taken so long to get back on here. I used vinegar then rinsed and then hydrogen peroxide afterwards and scrubbed with a rag, that got it mostly cleaned. Afterward I noticed a tiny crack on the inside bottom on the tank. I've got a little bit of water sitting in it to see if it'll leak, hasn't so far but I only have a couple inches in there. Do y'all think it's worth using with the crack?

 

I wouldn't risk it with fish or inside the house. That's a fair amount of water to clean up if it fails on ya.

 

Try hydrogen peroxide.

I watched a video on Lab Equipment glass cleaning and this fellow was using Vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide. He wore gloves if that is any indicator. Bartender Friend is recommended to it has a mild acid in it.

tanks
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I watched a video on Lab Equipment glass cleaning and this fellow was using Vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide. He wore gloves if that is any indicator. Bartender Friend is recommended to it has a mild acid in it.

tanks
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i've actually used bartender's friend. it's good for tough water stains like that.

 

What's the best way to clean a formerly saltwater tank to reuse with freshwater?
Thanks

 

Vinegar and lots of scrubbing and rinsing..I had to razor blade off a lot of the harsh buildup also. I then did a bleach miz and let it sit 1:10 was the mix I used then rinsed until I thought I had all out then rinsed 10x more.

 

Why the bleach mix soak? I would worry that the bleach was more harmful than anything left behind by the saltwater.