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DownwardDawg
04/30/2011, 12:54 PM
My son has a 20 gal (long) aquarium that presently houses gerbils. He may be giving them away and I, being the opportunist, was wondering if I could use this tank for anything. refugium, top-off water, qt....anything?
Anthrax15
04/30/2011, 01:17 PM
Yeah you can use it for anything. Just do a very deep cleaning on it.
DownwardDawg
04/30/2011, 01:23 PM
Like lots of vinegar and water?
Bamm Bamm
04/30/2011, 01:43 PM
vinegar and water would work perfect
DownwardDawg
04/30/2011, 02:24 PM
Thanks for the replies. One can never be too careful...I have learned.
Bamm Bamm
04/30/2011, 02:30 PM
It's always better to ask then risk killing everything in a tank=)
disc1
04/30/2011, 02:32 PM
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Or anything about a 3 foot cooling pond under your sump.
DownwardDawg
04/30/2011, 02:39 PM
the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Or anything about a 3 foot cooling pond under your sump.

lmao!!!!!
Mouse
04/30/2011, 11:14 PM
Are you guys sure on this? My knee jerk reaction to the Q is "Yes you can use it for anything...... anything but reef related"
Im not saying yea or neh , just seems risky over a $20 tank
geaux xman
04/30/2011, 11:18 PM
i would do a bleach bath, then wipe it down with vinegar. theres no telling what kind of parasites those gerbils might put in the tank. bleach for sure would knock it all out.

then use it as a QT.
clownfreak
05/01/2011, 01:59 AM
I would bleach it, just to disinfect it of any possibly contaminents. Probably rinse, then wipe down with some bleach water mix, then fill and add bleach, let sit for a day and then let it air dry before use.
Mr James
05/01/2011, 06:02 AM
I have always been trained that if it housed anything but fish, it is not safe. I understood that the urine from the animals can get into the seams and leach out later.

I would NOT use the tank.
DownwardDawg
05/01/2011, 09:55 AM
I have always been trained that if it housed anything but fish, it is not safe. I understood that the urine from the animals can get into the seams and leach out later.

I would NOT use the tank.

See, this was my concern. Urine, which would be ammonia, leeching from the seems. It may not be worth the risk but I'll keep researching. Just hate throwing away a tank!
billdogg
05/01/2011, 10:01 AM
A through washing and it will be fine. The seams WILL NOT absorb enough of anything to make a difference. Heck - you want (and need) some ammonia to cycle the tank anyway.

A more important question - is it really a fish tank? there are two seperate types of glass tanks - reptile and fish. The reptile tanks do not have as thick of glass and are not necessarily water tight.
DownwardDawg
05/01/2011, 12:47 PM
Yes, it's a fish tank. Grabbed it at Pet Smart for him a while back. Good point though.
I may use it as a seperate refugium from from a tee off my return pump or something. I'm moving this summer so the 125 is on hold but my head won't stop thinking of all the options!