What to do when i buy a used fish tank?

Question

if i buy a used fish tank from someone else what should i do before adding the fish in? and how long should i wait before adding new fish.

Answer 1

Rinse it thoroughly with water, but don't use any soap or chemicals!  After it is set up you will need to wait for it to cycle (just google aquarium cycle) before adding any fish.  Then just add 2-3 fish every 4-5 days.  Be sure to check your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels during this period. Best of Luck!

Answer 2

make sure it hold water without leaks. then clean it good with dish soap then rinse it extremely well! set it up with your decor and water and filter then let it cylce for at least a week or two while checking the ph and nitrates.  

Answer 3

i think you should always clean it thoroughly cuz u dont know wats been happening in there! then after drying it check it for any holes, cracks, dents any of the sort and then when uve done all that, ur ready to get the fish!

Answer 4

first ask what type of water did he use salt water or pure water if he uses salt water and the fish you want needs pure water or the opposite you have to clean the aquarium

then you check for any faults in the aquarium like cracks dents etc.

then i think your done!

Answer 5

First clean the tank really good. if came with filter clean that out good to and put new filters in it. then put water in it and put you decor in it. let run for a day or two. then add just one or two fish. Then what i would do is take a water sample to pet store and let them check it. or you buy the stuff to do that. I personally go to Petco and have the test it cause it is free.. then if the water test good then let run for week then you can add more fish. Now depending on the size of tank will determine how many fish you can have  

Answer 6

Clean it out really good and ask what kind of water they previously used.Let it sit for a week then cycle it and let it sit for the amount of days it says.Dump out the water and continuously rinse it out.

Answer 7

u should clean it with hot soapy water really REALLY good then check for cracks or dents then Fill it up with hot soapy water then leave it to sit for like 2 hours then dump it out rinse it out with cold water then fill it with pure water for ur fish  (if that's what it needs)put whatever toys and stuff in it then put ur fish in Good Luck! Hope This Helps!

Answer 8

I agree with filling it with hot water and a weak bleach solution (plain bleach, no additives or fragrances) and let it sit for an hour.  This will let you check for leaks, as well as disinfect the tank.

Then, you rinse with plain tap water. And rinse some more, until you can no longer smell the bleach.  Then rinse it two more times.

It would be best to do a fishless cycle - where you don't add any fish until the tank has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and less than 20 nitrates. This can take 6-8 weeks, so patience is of the essence.

By doing this, you are exposing fish to unnecessary stress and even death, from the fluctuating nitrogen levels.  Sure you can use cheap fish, but why sacrifice them?  Won't you get just as much enjoyment from watching and caring for inexpensive fish, as you will from the $80 ones?

Edit: Please don't use soap on your tank or anything that will go into it. It's extremely toxic even in tiny amounts.

Answer 9

I'D CLEAN IT REAL WELL WITH SOME DILUTED BLEACH. THEN WASH IT VERY THOROUGHLY. SET UP THE ROCKS FILTERS AND GRAVEL THEY WAY YOU WANT IT, THEN FILL ER UP. I ALWAYS START A TANK WITH A COUPLE OF PLANTS AND A FEW CHEAP FISH, LIKE FEEDERS OR GOLDFISH. WAIT ABOUT A WEEK THEN START BUYING THE FISH YOU LIKE.

Answer 10

just clean it then get fish but wait a day or 2 to put fish in

Answer 11

I would clean it really good. Fill it with water and let it stay set up for a day or two. Then add fish but let them set in the bag floating in the water so they don't go into shock and die!  

Answer 12

First, you want to rinse it out, get any dirt or debris out of the tank. Then wash it with soap and a sponge, and rinse it. Then do that agan. After that, just look at the tank to check for any dirt or grime that you can see on the glass. Then rinse it one more time and dry it with a clean towel. Then you should buy the gravel and other things you want to put in. Fill the tank with however much water you want, put the gravel in, and set the tank up completely without the fish. Then let the filter run for about 2 days, then go buy the fish and keep them in the bags, but put the bags in the water, leave them like that for about 20 minutes, so the fish will get used to the temperature change. After that just open the bags and let the fish into their new home. Good Luck!