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Beders
01/02/2009, 08:00 PM
Hi could I have some advice please I have a little understanding of marine aquariums as I had one for 12 months 4ft with no sump but I had to get rid to move home now I have moved I have brought a second hand 5ftx1.8ftx3ft with sump at the moment it is in my room empty but the previous owner had not cleaned it out so there is bits of sand in the bottom pink algie thick on the glass and it smells like dogs it's horrid. At the moment I do not have the money for a ro unit so I will be doing things slow.
Is it possible for me to clean out the tank with tap water also all the balls that was in the weir. And should I scrap off the algie or keep it on.
Many thanks

LoyalConvict
01/02/2009, 08:09 PM
welcome to reef central.... use a vinegar and water solution to clean your tank. and yes clean all the algae off

for the vinegar solution i usually use half vinegar and water for nasty jobs (or just straight) and for lighter jobs use a ratio of 1-5 or even 1-10 vinegar to water

LoyalConvict
01/02/2009, 08:11 PM
also a few good threads to reed if you have not already

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1526752

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

Ugly Dog
01/02/2009, 08:13 PM
Hot water and vinegar, ditch the balls probably, scrape off the algae.

BigH55
01/02/2009, 08:31 PM
What an ***. Leaving a tank without cleaning it out.

Beders
01/02/2009, 08:59 PM
Thank you do I need to use White vinigar. Also if I get rid of the balls what should I Putin the weir as the drilled hole that goes into the sump is in the bottom of the tank.also the first chamber in the sump had these balls in what should I change them for or should I keep them?

Beders
01/03/2009, 11:26 AM
Help I have used straight vinigar on the algie left it for 2 hours then tried to scrub off but no luck it's stuck solid. I do have a scraper but not sure if to use it or not as it sounds quite harsh and not sure if it will scratch the glass. Also I have removed the bio balls from the weir in my tank should I leave it empty or is there anything I can use in there to reduce noise.

Michael
01/03/2009, 11:34 AM
hi shaun what id suggest is to soak the tank in vinegar overnight, then wash it out with warm water, then fill the tank with hot water until it cools, you can then scrub any remaining algae off the tank and flush through with cold water

[welcome]

Beders
01/03/2009, 12:07 PM
Thank you how much vinigar do you sugest I mix with the water as the tank holds about 130 gallons and the algie goes all the way to the top of the tank 2.5ft.

Michael
01/03/2009, 12:11 PM
20% vinegar and 80 % water will be ok

calli
01/03/2009, 12:15 PM
Just wondering.... can you use alcohol?

BLAKEJOHN
01/03/2009, 12:18 PM
I use muratic acid for most of my cleaning. Use it 10:1 10 parts water to 1 part acid. Add the acid to the water. It will make cleaning the tank a breeze. Then when your all done you can rinse with water.