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I have an used aquarium that once housed gerbils can I clean this and use it for goldfish2007-11-24 23:35:23

I just received an aquaruim from a woman on a local free cycle site. she said she kept a gerbil in it at one time.

I just cleaned it the best I could without soap or any other cleaning solution.

I also Iet some water soak in it for about a day and a half before I tried to clean it out to see if any water would leak out.

After I thought I had finished cleaning it, I noticed that there was some residue in the corners in the bottom. It seems very difficult to remove with just water and takes a lot of scratching. Its kind of thin and whiteish. I wonder if it might be gerbil pee.

Is there any way to remove this?

Maybe if there were ever fish in here before could that have left some sort of buildup like this?

.anyways, I guess the real question is how can I make this tank safe for goldfish?

Answers:

Bleach is ok to use..I do not know why that other person said it wasnt. Bleach is chlorine and the chlorine remover you put in the water removes it anyway. However, make sure you use a dilute amount of bleach if you use it.

Safer however would be vinegar like most people have said. Vinegar is safe, especially if you are putting goldfish in the tank since Vinegar is acidic and goldfish like their water acidic. So any residue will benefit the fish, not damage them. Also, dont use boiling water, the sudden heat will crack the tank! Use warm water, not hot and scrub GENTLY with a stiff bristled brush. If you scrub to hard you can damaged the silicone sealant and the tank will leak.

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use boiling water. You could also use just regular soap and a clean new toothbrush. Whatever you do.DO NOT use bleach.

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YES

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Is the white stuff sort of chalky? If yes, it's gerbil pee. Get Urine-Off or Urine Gone. That will get it off. You gotta rinse really well and let it sit with water in it for a day. Then rinse again.