kelkat

Is it okay to buy a tank from a second hand source AS LONG AS I cycle it first? Are there any other special cleaning suggestions? There are ads all the time in the local "swapper" for large tanks (60 gal an up) for not a whole lot of money. Would you take the chance?

LadyViper

You will want to clean them and sterilize them the best you can before you add water or fish. Also, you will want to fill them outdoors first to make sure they are water tight. I suggest outdoors, in case they aren't you won't make a mess on your floor. You want to clean them up with a mild bleach solution, in case any diseased fish were housed there.

taiarain

I can't see any problem with buying used. Like LadyViper said, clean it and test its integrity. I might be inclined to leave it out in the sun for a bit once it's proven leak free as well.

Taia

Fish Head

Is mild bleach safe to use for cleaning, wont it leave a residue poisonous to the fish?

fishboy

I thought bleach would be toxic?
bleach has a similar effect to chlorine doesnt it? and you have to remove cholrine from the water before adding fish.

kelkat

That's what I was thinking as well. Maybe if you clean it with bleach, put some water in, and let it sit in the sun a couple of days. That would serve to clean everything up, wouldn't it?

LadyViper

We are talking a small amount of bleach, just for cleaning. You are going to rinse completely after using it, and when you add water to you can add the additive to take out any remaining chlorine. You are just using a bit, just enought to kill any bacteria that is lurking there, not a lot or you will have problems. I clean almost everything I purchase in bleach water before it goes into my tank. To date, I have never had a problem with this practice.

taiarain

I don't use bleach in general so I lean toward using vinegar or sunlight for disinfecting.

Taia

headlessblade

clean new tank with some bleach/dishwashing liquid wash it out THROUGHLY with a hose and done... Buy used tanks are better than getting them brand new, cause most of the times you pay less than half price, and if it leakes practically free... (broken glass = garbage)... only thing is you need a vehicle to transport it depending on the size

kelkat

All this talk of used equipment got me thinking - not always the best thing. I wonder how a secondhand aquarium store would go over? You couldsell online and in person.