How do you clean filter/tank/decor?

A friend of mine gave me her 20 gallon tank along with filter and decor she had in it. It's covered in white stuff which I'm assuming is hard water. How do I properly clean it all so I can use it? Thanks!!!

 

A friend of mine gave me her 20 gallon tank along with filter and decor she had in it. It's covered in white stuff which I'm assuming is hard water. How do I properly clean it all so I can use it? Thanks!!!

Does the tank have water in it at the moment?

 

Does the tank have water in it at the moment?

Nope. Been empty for a bit.

 

Nope. Been empty for a bit.

I would soak the decor/ornaments in warm water (I would probably dechlorinate it, just as an extra precaution) (as you probably know - NO soap, detergents, etc.) A new toothbrush is good for scrubbing!
If it was given to you with gravel, I would suggest buying new gravel for your tank (just my personal preference), and if you can't, make sure you rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Same for your filter. You shouldn't need to replace any of the filter media as long as it isn't falling to bits...

Warm water is always my solution, but I've heard that you can use a 95% water 5% bleach or vinegar solution for your ornaments, though everything will have to soak in warm water again and sit outside for a while to ensure that all the nasties have evaporated. I've also heard that you can clean out an old aquarium using bleach, but I am not too familiar with all these kind of solutions, because, as I said, I use warm water...
There are some websites that could help you with this, or maybe someone on the forum has some ideas?

Having a new aquarium is such an awesome blank canvas! Enjoy!

 

I would soak the decor/ornaments in warm water (I would probably dechlorinate it, just as an extra precaution) (as you probably know - NO soap, detergents, etc.) A new toothbrush is good for scrubbing!
If it was given to you with gravel, I would suggest buying new gravel for your tank (just my personal preference), and if you can't, make sure you rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Same for your filter. You shouldn't need to replace any of the filter media as long as it isn't falling to bits...

Warm water is always my solution, but I've heard that you can use a 95% water 5% bleach or vinegar solution for your ornaments, though everything will have to soak in warm water again and sit outside for a while to ensure that all the nasties have evaporated. I've also heard that you can clean out an old aquarium using bleach, but I am not too familiar with all these kind of solutions, because, as I said, I use warm water...
There are some websites that could help you with this, or maybe someone on the forum has some ideas?

Having a new aquarium is such an awesome blank canvas! Enjoy!

Will plain warm water take off all the gross white stuff that I assume is hard water?! My husband and I were trying to figure out if we can use vinegar and rinse it super well.

 

Plain original magic eraser

 

Plain original magic eraser

I wouldn’t use a magic eraser, they can leech chemicals that aren’t natural into the water later. I’d just stick to a 1:4 dillution of white vinegar and then add some salt to cut through the hard water stains. This solution can then be rinsed off with warm water and even if some trace elements are left they won’t harm your fish. It might just take an extra few water changes at first to balance the pH.

 

I use a vinegar and water solution and let the stuff soak overnight, then scrub with a brush, that usually gets hard water off for me (I can't give specifics amounts for the solution, it's just kinda whatever). The only reason I use a solution is cause otherwise it'd be a LOT of vinegar lol

 

Vinegar and water or bleach and water are both fine as long as you make sure the tank has been rinsed and fully dried before you add water that fish will live in. Neither will leave a residue.

 

I wouldn’t use a magic eraser, they can leech chemicals that aren’t natural into the water later. I’d just stick to a 1:4 dillution of white vinegar and then add some salt to cut through the hard water stains. This solution can then be rinsed off with warm water and even if some trace elements are left they won’t harm your fish. It might just take an extra few water changes at first to balance the pH.

Some of us do use magic erasers to clean the inside of our tanks. I actually use one each week as I am doing my water change. Works well for me and has caused no harm to my fish. Just be sure it is the original magic eraser. Avoid the new and improved with cleaning solutions added to them. I just buy the generic brand. The diluted vinegar is a great suggestion though.

 

I have always used Vinegar and water, as long as you make sure the tank has been rinsed and fully dried before you add water to. I also use a single blade razor.

 

Will plain warm water take off all the gross white stuff that I assume is hard water?! My husband and I were trying to figure out if we can use vinegar and rinse it super well.

I recommend a 5% vinegar 95% water solution. Soak it overnight, rinse it out, leave it to dry.

Let us know if it works!

 

Thank you to everybody for your suggestions. It's currently soaking in the tub with some water and vinegar. Fingers crossed. I'm thinking of tossing the filter and buying a new one. It's SUPER gross.

 

Thank you to everybody for your suggestions. It's currently soaking in the tub with some water and vinegar. Fingers crossed. I'm thinking of tossing the filter and buying a new one. It's SUPER gross.

Awesome! Hopefully it clears the tank

I agree about getting a new filter. It doesn't look like it's in such great shape...

 

I agree about getting a new filter. It doesn't look like it's in such great shape...

I'm thinking of getting a betta for the tank. I've read that a sponge filter is better so I won't need this filter then.

 

I'm thinking of getting a betta for the tank. I've read that a sponge filter is better so I won't need this filter then.

That'll be an awesome tank for the little guy! (or girl )
Yes, unless you can get an adjustable flow filter, a sponge filter will be good.
Make sure you have a heater and no sharp objects! Good luck for the future

 

I'm using the water heater that came with my kit. Not using it for goldfish.

 

If you don't have luck with the tank using vinegar, I have in the past used automotive rubbing compound to buff salt water used tanks back to New so I would bet it could handle your hard water stains as well. Clean that up with Dawn and rinse/soak it very well in the bathtub just like you're doing. Don't use antI bacterial or moisturizing, just plain old Dawn to take off anything you needed to use to scrub it clean and you should be good to go. Pay extra attention up near the lips where chunks tend to hang out.

I can vouch for this method personally but for those who scream "no cleaners!": Automotive rubbing compound is typically a mix of waxes/lubricant and silica or Ash. Fish food is full of Ash, and silica is all around us. Plain old Dawn is a great surfactant (makes every thing slippery) and is used in eco clean ups around the world including by our own coast guard while responding to spills and rescuing endangered species. If you rinse it out well, you should be just fine with it. I also love the use of ammonia to clean glass, I have a surplus of it laying around for fishless cycling anyhow, and it can also be gotten rid of with some good rinsing. Be sure to turn on your exhaust fan while you use vinegar or amonia, neither is super good for you in any real concentration.

 

Be sure to turn on your exhaust fan while you use vinegar or amonia, neither is super good for you in any real concentration.

So I shouldn't scrub the tank with the bathroom door shut?!?! Haha I got a little light headed and realized I accidentally had shut the door.

 

Yeah no, you want to open a window in the bathroom and or put the fan on,

 

Yeah no, you want to open a window in the bathroom and or put the fan on,

I quickly opened the door when I realized I had shut it.