Cleaning old fish tank to house a Tarantula?

gazzab

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
20
I've got my hands on an old fish tank (plastic mesh cover) that I want to move my tarantula into. It's really dirty but I'm worried about using any sort of chemicals to clean it in case it affects my Rosie.

Any suggestions about what I could use to safely clean the tank? Thanks :)
 

mandipants

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
182
Recycling works!

You shouldn't have any problem getting it cleaned up and made usable. I actually just bought a dirty used terriarium. Since you don't know where it's been, use a mild bleach solution (ten parts warm water, one part bleach) you should add the bleach to the water, not the water to the bleach. Scrub it, and rinse it VERY THOUGHLY. And then rinse it again. let it dry in the sun for 24 hours, double check to make sure there's not bleach smell, if there is, rinse it again. and Wha-la! Just like new!
 

Lucas339

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
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Jun 28, 2009
Messages
448
in the past, i have had to razor blade some tanks used for salt water. just be careful not to scratch the glass.
 

Spyder 1.0

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
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Jan 7, 2007
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1,014
there is a quality organic PC scrubber with this sandy cleaner kind of like ajax that works wonders on glass. You can find it at any grocery store.
 

VryfastRR

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
19
bleach is the best thing to use because it is easy to rinse out. bleach+water+scrub, rinse, rinse, rinse, done.
 

Nerri1029

Chief Cook n Bottlewasher
Old Timer
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Sep 29, 2004
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1,725
I prefer Vinegar, to the bleach.

But as stated RINSE !!
 

Mushroom Spore

Arachnoemperor
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Oct 14, 2005
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I prefer Vinegar, to the bleach.
This is relevant to my interests, as I've got a bunch of rehousing to do after I move and even weak bleach solutions give me a headache. Do you use pure vinegar or a vinegar/water solution?
 

Jack III

Arachnocultured
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
95
You shouldn't have any problem getting it cleaned up and made usable. I actually just bought a dirty used terriarium. Since you don't know where it's been, use a mild bleach solution (ten parts warm water, one part bleach) you should add the bleach to the water, not the water to the bleach. Scrub it, and rinse it VERY THOUGHLY. And then rinse it again. let it dry in the sun for 24 hours, double check to make sure there's not bleach smell, if there is, rinse it again. and Wha-la! Just like new!
My 2 cents - Your dilution rate for bleach should be 1:32. This is the standard I'm familiar with. A stronger bleach solution does not disinfect better..(at least according to some veterinary medicine journals....) it just leaves more bleach to rinse off and potentially more residue. Good luck with your project!!
 

Ether Imp

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
241
This is relevant to my interests, as I've got a bunch of rehousing to do after I move and even weak bleach solutions give me a headache. Do you use pure vinegar or a vinegar/water solution?
I don't know what he uses... but I've used a vinager/water solution for house-cleaning before. Good stuff.
 

gazzab

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
20
Thanks for all your replies... the tank was acrylic and cleaned up well with a very weak bleach/water solution, but ended up kind of blurred out so I couldn't really see what was inside... so I went out and bought a new one anyway :)

I think it's always worth trying though, saves money to put towards more Ts :D
 

Ether Imp

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
241
Vinager/water solution or possibly glass cleaner would have made it less blurry, perhaps?
 
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