cleaning a used 50 gallon bow front aquarium

Question
QUESTION: hello
i just purchased a used 50 gallon tank. the previous owner had salt water fish but i
am thinking of starting a severum fresh water tank. i don't think it has been used
for a long time. i tested it for leaks and it is okay. what is the criteria for cleaning
the inside of this tank to get it ready for cycling freshwater safely?
please reply asap. thanks

ANSWER: Hi George

You can use vinegar and water to scrub off the inside of the tank, or your local aquatic store should have many types of aquarium cleaners. Clean the inside and outside of the tank and inside of the hood and rinse very well. Wipe the outside dry with a cotton cloth and let sit for 24 hours.

Keep in mind, the tank and hood are all you're going to be able to use for the freshwater tank. You will NOT be able to use the same filter, substrate or decorations. All of this will need to be replaced. A good filter for a 50 gallon is the Penguin 200B or Emperor 280, both by Marineland.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello richard
thanks for your quick reply. i am soaking the tank in water now with
AQUARIUM SALT but i will do as you suggested and really give it a good cleaning with the
vinegar.
i already have a 65 gallon fresh water tank filtering with a EHEIM 2215 canister.
i also have a EHEIM PRO 2 CANISTER AND A EHEIM 2217 CANISTER.
can i use some of the material from the 2215 and put it in one of these canisters to start
the biological cycle in the new tank? you know the ceramic rings and substrate, etc.?
would it help the tank to cycle faster? please if you can again reply asap. thanks again
         george

Answer
Hi George

Using the filter media and some of the substrate from an established tank will help in the cycle process, but will not instantly cycle the new tank. The cycle process in the new tank will still take 3-4 weeks. However, New Tank Syndrome occurs less in larger tanks.

After your new tank is setup, leave it running for about 24 hours. A good rule is when the air bubbles inside the tank have vanished, the tank is ready for fish. Start with 2-3 inches of fish per 10 gallons of water. Let them cycle the tank for about 3-4 weeks, doing your regular water changes of 10% every few days. After about 3 weeks, add one fish a week until the tank reaches capacity.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard