Cleaning brand new tank

[Niton]

As the title suggests. What are your recommendations for cleaning a new tank in preparation of laying out hardscape?

Just warm water and no detergent? Try with paper towels or microfiber cloth?

 

[Ryan Thang To]

Hi
I have never clean a brand new tank just a good wipe down.

But yes you can use water only to clean before use

Cheers
Ryan

 

[ian_m]

I have used bleach, strong descalers, Fairy Liquid & silicone remover in tanks (old 2nd hand) before. Provided you rinse thoroughly, I do it on lawn outside with a hose pipe, never had any issues.

If new try water first. If there are any oily smears the IPA (or meths) is the way to go. Any cleaning chemicals left after wiping/washing will be diluted in tank volume to insignificant levels.

 

[zozo]

Anyway depending on the brand of silicone used to build it, the kits technical data sheets vary in information what to do before taking the tank in use as aqaurium.
Almost all advice to leave the tank an X periode flooded and still flush it several times after that. And i don't think that aquarium builders keep this in respect, after all time is money and it takes space and time to perform these action. So i assume they build the tank cure it given time, fill it up and actualy my own experience in tank building says, if it doesn't leak within an hour it probably never will if installed correctly. Than drain it and store it.. Flushing and cleaning is the new owners responsibility..

Than beter safe than sorry, try to find out its builder and ask what their procedure is and which brand of kit is used. If that is to no avail, than flood and drain the tank a few times at least 2 x with 24 hours in between, before you are going to install it permanently and set it up.

The first tiem you can clean it as ian_m says with what ever you like, than start the flooding and draining cycle and you'll flush it clean..

My personal experience to clean a brandnew tank especialy if it still has kit residu and fingerprints on the glass is using a soft cloth damped with dish washing soap.
Then flush it a few times and wipe the inside panels with a clean cloth for a bling bling tank..

After that is the so called cycle periode with the abundand water changes, after 6 weeks what ever tiny bit was left will be long gone..

 

[Keith GH]

Niton

That question has been posted many times over the years on many Forums. As long as its a safe product and you wash the tank several times and dry it every thing should be all OK.

If necessary only use a scratch proof cleaning pad to remove any hard to remove ???.

When finished go over it completely with your hands as a double check just in case you missed something.

Keith

 

[FJK_12]

I use a mix of vinegar and water - really effectively gets rid of all hard water stains and organics. Always works 100% for me never had a problem.

 

[Niton]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll give the white vinegar and water mix a go as it always works well on glassware in the house.

 

[Keith GH]

I use the Vinegar and water mix a lot for our general house keeping. Its very safe to use and only a fraction a cost of many of the "Labelled" brands.

Keith