Clean Tanks

[Mbuniac]

What's the best way to clean a used tank? I don't want to leave any chemical residue of any sort that might hurt the fish.
Thanks, Sam

[MalawiGuy]

Just plain water and you can use salt as an abrasive and a new (never used with soap etc.) sponge or brush.

PS:cool nickname man!

[Mbuniac]

Thanks for the tip! I keep looking at the sites like Armke's and Russ Utsler's making my wish list for when I get my 125. Lot's of pretty Malawi fish, but I keep coming back to the Mbuna. So......I guess that makes me a "mbuniac". My son wants to give me a mature show male Red Empress when I get the tank set up. We'll see, it sure is a pretty fish.
Sam

[Mbuniac]

P.S.
Does it make any difference if it's iodized or non-iodized salt?

[SGypsyMermaid]

for cleaning purposes, it doesn't matter.

[Mbuniac]

I saw some stuff at the pet store called "Safe & Easy" aquarium cleaner. Anyone familiar with it? Positive, negative, waste of $$$?
Thanks all, Sam

[JonZeigler]

I agree with the scrubbing with a slightly abrasive sponge that has never been used. After U rinse throughly, set up the tank without all the extras (big rocks and plants), and check the sides of the tank to see if anything funny is building up. Don't forget to let the tank acclimate before introducing fish. It will tank some time before bacteria can build up in the tank.

[Mbuniac]

Thanks for your input on the cleaning method. I am familiar with the nitrogen cycle that a new tank has to go through. I check my water chemistry faithfully and won't move my fish into the new tank til it's ready.
Sam